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Topic: dead battery or bad key switch

in Forum: C3 Electrical


dead battery or bad key switch

Posted: 7/8/05 3:21pm Message 1 of 2
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I took my 82 out to a little shopping. When i got back in the car would not start, the radio , lights the insturment panel worked but i turned the key and got not starter sound. I had my son jump the car and it started ok. i drove it home and tryed to start it againg and had no problem. Lately it seams like i have to turn the key harder to make contact and there is some play in it. I am sure that the battery is ok or am i looking in the wrong area. I even tryed to start the car in nutural without sucess. Do i need to replace the key switch? I made sure that i had good battery contact. Confused


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dead battery or bad key switch

Posted: 7/8/05 6:29pm Message 2 of 2
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
I'd say the switch is probably on it's way out, but....you say there is a little "play" in it. The switch itself can be adjusted a little, where it bolts onto the steering column. You might try that , first.
Look under the dash, toward the bottom of the column. You should see the ign. switch. It will be bolted on the column with a couple of small machine screws. Loosen these screws, and move the switch up, toward the steering wheel, and then snug the screws up. Then try to start the car. If it works OK now, then you've bought a little more time!

You may have a lot of play in the "rack", where the ign. cylinder turns the rod that goes down to the switch. It's not common, but it is a possibility.

If you have a tilt wheel, is it 'floppy'? If the tilt wheel moves around a lot, that would effect the way the rod to the switch works. In this case, you would need to disassemble the top end of the column, and tighten the two "pivot" bolts, or the three bolts that hold the upper part of the tilt assy. to the lower part.(it sounds a lot worse than it is)

Then again, you might just need a new switch! Check the adjustment first, and go from there. Hope this info helps some.



Joel Adams
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in Forum: C3 Electrical


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