Ignition Switch

[mark82]

Car sat for many years, now it is being revived. Mech broke the key off in the ignition and replaced the tumbler set with a used one he had. When turning the key to start it feels very slow, mushy and gummed up. The positions can barely be felt and I just turn it back a bit after starting rather than let it go or turn to click. The vacuum shutoff is sometimes not working and I have to twist the key off and on a few times before it will shut down. It felt gummy even before the tumbler was replaced, but the vacuum switch wasnt a problem. It is much worse when cold morning.

I am wondering of there might be some grease or old lube that has become sticky somewhere in the device? Can it be cleaned out with a solvent spray? Or is this typical of a bad housing and I should replace the entire thing?

[t walgamuth]

I'd go to a lock shop and get a special spray to clean it out and some lube. It might not solve the problem but it is worth a try. Replacing that switch is a triple Biotch.

[Diesel911]

You did not say if the Mechanic broke the key because it was hard to turn or not.

If the Key was broken due to it being hard to turn besides the Tumbler there is some chance that the innards of the Steering Colum Lock are broken which happened to myself and a few others.

After my Key being stuck inside the Tumbler for 3 Days the Tumbler turned free and I took advantage of that to remover the Tumbler.

I did not know the Steering Colum Lock was broke in side till I took it apart and looked.

I cleaned the Tumbler in an ultrasonic cleaning tank (Harbor Freight) and I got about 3 years more use out of it till it fell apart and had to be replaced.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/333785-steering-colum-lock-ignition-lock-housing-causes-ignition-switch-failure.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/387730-another-type-ignition-lock-tumbler-issue-w123-pictures.html