Ignition Switch: Removal
CAUTION:
Before servicing any electrical component, ignition key must be in LOCK position and all electrical loads must be off, unless instructed otherwise in these procedures. If a tool or equipment could easily come in contact with a live exposed electrical terminal, also disconnect negative battery cable. Failure to follow these precautions may cause personal injury and/or damage to vehicle or its components.
- Disconnect negative battery cable.
- Disable Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) system. See appropriate AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS article.
- Using a small flat-bladed tool, remove ignition switch trim ring from ignition switch. Disconnect cigar lighter harness connector.
- Remove accessory trim plate from instrument panel carrier.
- Remove upper steering column trim cover from steering column.
- Remove instrument cluster trim plate from instrument panel carrier.
- Remove instrument panel cluster from instrument panel carrier.
- Remove ignition switch bolts from ignition switch.
- Disconnect electrical connectors from ignition switch.
- Insert key into ignition switch lock cylinder. Rotate key to RUN position.
- Perform the following steps if ignition switch lock cylinder is seized or won't rotate:
- Protect immediate work area with suitable material such as clean shop towels or a clean fender cover.
- Locate surface for ignition switch lock cylinder release button (2) on plastic ignition switch housing and center punch a location on rib (1) approximately 3/8 inch reward (toward key entry end) from cylinder release button. See Fig 1 .
- Carefully drill a pilot hole through plastic housing with a 1/8 inch drill bit.
- Carefully drill a larger hole at pilot location, and slightly into ignition switch lock cylinder surface to break release button retaining spring using a 9/32 inch drill bit.
- Remove portions of broken spring from hole using a small suitable tool.
- Grasp ignition switch lock cylinder and remove it from switch housing.
- Remove any plastic "flash" from drilling operation, and using compressed air blow out ignition switch assembly.
- Follow service manual procedures when cylinder re-coding is required.
- Depress transaxle park/lock cable retainer to release, then pull to remove park/lock cable from ignition switch.
- Press ignition switch lock cylinder release plunger. The release plunger is located at four o'clock position on ignition switch housing.
- Use key in order to pull ignition switch lock cylinder from ignition switch housing.
- Disconnect PASS KEY electrical connector from ignition switch housing.
- Remove ignition switch from vehicle.