You do NOT have to remove the ignition assembly to change the ignition switch!

[81 SC Ray]

Hi All,

I was dreading changing the ignition switch in my 1981 SC. I was having the "nothing happens when you go to start position" problem. So, I read about having to drill out the rivets, and grind off the shear bolts. I got underneath and sure enough, the top screw that holds on the switch portion of the assembly is tucked way up there with almost no room to move. If you cut down a small screw driver to about 1.5 inches in length, you can reach up and get that top screw. So, no grinding, no removing the steering wheel and no removing the ignition assembly - done in 20 minutes.

Hope this helps..

Ray

[KNS]

Awesome! Is that 1.5 inches total length or just the length of the shaft? Phillips or.... I haven't looked under there, is that all there is to it or are there other steps?

Thanks

[81 SC Ray]

Hi Kurt,

The total length of the screwdriver has to be about 1.5 inches in length.

Take out the drivers seat.

Lay on the floor and look up under the dash and find the ignition assembly.

Unplug all the little harnesses (3 of them) under the ignition assembly and gently move the wires out of your way.

Take a small blade screwdriver and gently pry the ignition harness off of the ignition switch.

There are two screws holding the switch portion of the ignition to the ignition assembly. The bottom screw holding the switch portion on the ignition assembly is very easy to get to. (The screws are very small flathead screws)

Remove the bottom screw.

Get your little screwdriver on the top screw by looking from the side - remove it.

Assemble in reverse - a little di-electric grease on the switch pins is a good idea.

That is it.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Ray

[john walker's workshop]

how tiny are your hands?

[81 SC Ray]

Extra large gloves!!!

I just wish the old joke about big hands was really true

[Joe Bob]

Too bad you didn't take any pics...or did ya?

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by 81 SC Ray

done in 20 minutes.

You're good. Took me more than an hour to get the top screw out mostly by feel, with shoulders on the pedals, head under the dash and kidneys on the door sill - I've never have stuck with it if I'd had anything to take out the shear bolts...

[81 SC Ray]

Did you take out the drivers seat? You gotta take out the drivers seat

[dshepp806]

Damned good one!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best,

Doyle

[RWebb]

thx for posting

thx even more if you post pics!

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by RWebb

thx even more if you post pics!

Good luck with that. You can only catch a glimpse of the screw from one very specific (and uncomfortable) position - and the tool and/or your fingers blocks your view of it.

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by 81 SC Ray

Did you take out the drivers seat? You gotta take out the drivers seat

Nope, I didn't realize I'd be there that long when I started

[dshepp806]

Originally Posted by spuggy

Nope, I didn't realize I'd be there that long when I started

hehehehe


Doyle