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amishman Samba Member
Joined: March 09, 2004 Posts: 3202 Location: California
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 5:49 pm Post subject: How hard to replace ignition switch? |
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Just wondering how hard or easy it is to replace a ignition switch on a 1989 Syncro Vanagon? I am not sure mine is necessarily bad but I wanted to replace it now as once in awhile after a drive, it does not want to start. Just get lights on dash light up, no sounds, no clicks, just the lights. After a minute or so she starts right up. Just one of those once in awhile things and I figure lets start by replacing the switch in case it gets bad contact.
Also, if I buy this switch mechanism, does it mean my old key no longer works? Or do I take the ignition part to a locksmith and tell him to key to my main key before sticking it in.
Any advice would be nice.
Thanks
tj _________________ tj (the Amishman)
Come visit my web site!
http://www.vwhippie.com |
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Crughy Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2004 Posts: 576 Location: Montreal, Qc
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 6:22 pm Post subject: |
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Do a search on the web, esp. Gerry, the vanagon list. It's well documented.
It's very easy for a non mech.
Disconnect battery.
You have to unscrew the steering wheel (remove klaxon pad).
Take the SW off.
Remove (unscrew) the 2 panels around the S. column.
I think you have to unplug the wipers and the other indicators. Take them off.
You should be able to access it. A couple of screws.
The web has it in easy well doc. steps.
JP |
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1621 Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2006 Posts: 2174
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 6:39 pm Post subject: |
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Follow what Crughy says. It's fairly easy. If you haven't taken it out before (or the PO) you'll need to drill a small hole as per the Bentley in order to gain access to the spring clip that holds it in place. Then all you need is a pen tip (or something like it) to remove the cylinder. Then take it to a good locksmith and have him rekey it to whatever you want. My Westy is now a one key van. Fairly easy. Have fun! _________________ '85 Westy |
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amishman Samba Member
Joined: March 09, 2004 Posts: 3202 Location: California
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 6:44 pm Post subject: |
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1621 wrote: |
Follow what Crughy says. It's fairly easy. If you haven't taken it out before (or the PO) you'll need to drill a small hole as per the Bentley in order to gain access to the spring clip that holds it in place. Then all you need is a pen tip (or something like it) to remove the cylinder. Then take it to a good locksmith and have him rekey it to whatever you want. My Westy is now a one key van. Fairly easy. Have fun! |
So you have to rekey this thing?
I thought I would only be replacing the electronic switch part and not the actual keyed mechanism?
I need to track down my Bentley in whatever box I have it stashed in. <grin>
I did find a Been There Done That on a ignition and it made no mention of rekeying.
tj _________________ tj (the Amishman)
Come visit my web site!
http://www.vwhippie.com |
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Crughy Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2004 Posts: 576 Location: Montreal, Qc
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 6:45 pm Post subject: |
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Oups. I forgot your second question.
No, the ignition switch is just an electric connector, underneath the key mechanism. It's a different part.
Same key. Don't worry about that, you won't need to touch that part.
I just read what 1621 said. I can't remember needing to drill something, it was all easy. Just like a lego, disassemble, reassemble.
JP |
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Dogpilot Samba Member
Joined: October 03, 2005 Posts: 4205 Location: Flagstaff, AZ
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 6:48 pm Post subject: |
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The actual procedure is relatively easy. There are a few pitfalls. You should use a puller to get the silver part (the housing for the switch, lock and column lock), to come off the shaft. Or you can use a soft mallet to try to coax it off. The part that is tricky is the U-joint at the bottom near the pedals kind of falls apart, no big deal to put back together, but then you have the indexing issue. So putting a block of wood in there to keep it from collapsing makes assembly a lot easier.
The switch itself comes out after removing the one screw. It makes no difference to your key.
_________________ Geology with a Syncro rocks!
86 Syncro Westy AKA "The Bughunter"
98 Disco I
08 Range Rover SC
08 VW Rabbit S
1951 O-1G |
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1621 Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2006 Posts: 2174
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 7:07 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry, I guess I should read through more thoroughly before I post. No, you don't need to even pull the key cylinder out. All in all, a fairly simple task. You shouldn't even need the Bentley, so don't bother looking through your boxes to find it. _________________ '85 Westy |
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ftp2leta Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2004 Posts: 3271 Location: Montreal
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 3:39 am Post subject: Re: How hard to replace ignition switch? |
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amishman wrote: |
Just wondering how hard or easy it is to replace a ignition switch on a 1989 Syncro Vanagon? I am not sure mine is necessarily bad but I wanted to replace it now as once in awhile after a drive, it does not want to start. Just get lights on dash light up, no sounds, no clicks, just the lights. After a minute or so she starts right up. Just one of those once in awhile things and I figure lets start by replacing the switch in case it gets bad contact.
Also, if I buy this switch mechanism, does it mean my old key no longer works? Or do I take the ignition part to a locksmith and tell him to key to my main key before sticking it in.
Any advice would be nice.
Thanks
tj |
It's all there:
http://www.benplace.com/dash.htm
Ben _________________ Working with rust, grease, dirt and dust is a sad truth.
------------------------------------------------------
FI part for sale: http://www.benplace.com/parts_sale1.htm
My site: http://www.benplace.com/vw2.htm
Subi conversion: http://www.benplace.com/vanaru_eng.htm
Youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/ftp2leta |
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ZimmerVan Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2007 Posts: 38 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 9:40 am Post subject: |
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I did this last week and followed the procedure outlined here:
http://www.carboncow.com/vanagon/
click on "procedures" then "ignition switch"
piece o' cake. |
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