Ignition Switch: Service and Repair

Ignition Switch Replacement

Removal Procedure





1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnect/Connect Procedure in Engine Electrical.
2. Remove the radio. Refer to Radio Replacement in Entertainment.
3. Remove the HVAC control head. Refer to HVAC Control Assembly Replacement in HVAC Systems - Manual, or HVAC Control Module Replacement in HVAC Systems - Automatic.
4. Remove the instrument panel (I/P) cluster.
5. Remove the ignition switch bezel using a small flat-bladed tool.
6. Remove the bolts from the ignition switch.
7. Reposition the ignition switch for ease of removal.
8. Insert the key and turn the ignition switch lock cylinder to the ACC position.




9. If the ignition switch lock cylinder is seized or will not rotate, perform the following procedure:

1. Protect the immediate work area with suitable material such as clean shop towels or a clean fender cover.
2. Locate the surface for the lock cylinder release button (2) on the plastic ignition switch housing. Center punch a location (1) on the rib approximately 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) rearward toward the key entry end from the cylinder release button.
3. Carefully drill a pilot hole through the plastic housing with a 1/8 inch drill bit.
4. Carefully drill a larger hole at the pilot location, and slightly into the lock cylinder surface to break the release button retaining spring using a 9/32 inch drill bit.
5. Remove portions of the broken spring from the hole using a small suitable tool.
6. Grasp the ignition switch lock cylinder and remove the cylinder from the switch housing.
7. Remove any plastic flash from the drilling operation, and blow out the ignition switch assembly using compressed air.
8. Follow service manual procedures when cylinder coding is required. Refer to Key and Lock Cylinder Coding in General Information.

10. Remove the lamp socket from the ignition switch by rotating the socket.
11. Depress the transaxle park/lock cable retainer, and pull the park/lock cable from the ignition switch.
12. Remove the ignition switch lock cylinder by depressing the retaining tab and pulling the cylinder out with the key.

Important: The pass lock electrical connector can not be removed until the ignition switch lock cylinder is removed.


13. Disconnect the pass lock electrical connector from the ignition switch.
14. Disconnect the electrical connectors from the ignition switch.
15. Remove the ignition switch through the I/P cluster opening.
16. Remove the bolts from the ignition switch to the bracket.
17. Remove the bracket from the ignition switch.


Installation Procedure





1. Install the ignition switch bracket to the ignition switch.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Cautions and Notices.

2. Install the bolts to the ignition switch bracket.

Tighten the bolts to 6 N.m (53 lb in).

3. Install the ignition switch into position through the I/P cluster opening.
4. Connect the electrical connectors to the ignition switch.
5. Connect the pass lock electrical connector from the ignition switch.
6. Connect the park/lock cable to the ignition switch.
7. Install the lamp socket to the ignition switch by rotating the socket.
8. Install the bolts to the ignition switch.

Tighten the bolts to 6 N.m (53 lb in).

9. Insert the key and turn the ignition switch lock cylinder to the ACC position.
10. Align and press the ignition switch lock cylinder into place.
11. If the lock cylinder that you previously removed was seized or would not rotate, perform the following procedure:

1. Install the new ignition switch lock cylinder as required by rotating both the cylinder and the ignition switch to the ON position.
2. Push the lock cylinder into the ignition switch housing until fully seated.
3. It may be necessary to slightly depress the release button as it passes by the 9/32 in hole previously drilled in the ignition switch housing.

12. Remove the key from the ignition switch.
13. Install the I/P cluster.
14. Install the HVAC control head. Refer to HVAC Control Assembly Replacement in HVAC Systems - Manual, or HVAC Control Module Replacement in HVAC Systems - Automatic.
15. Install the radio. Refer to Radio Replacement in Entertainment.
16. Connect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnect/Connect Procedure in Engine Electrical.