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Sticky ignition switch

Sport69

Jr. Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2007
Messages
70
When I first bought my 69, it had no key. So I drilled out the cylinder (thanks for the Tech article Jeepster) and replaced it with a Dennis Carpenter 3 lock set. ...However when turning the key it felt a little tight and also had to manuallly turn it back from Start to Run. I was ordering a few other things from JBG so I figured a new ignition switch was cheap enough. Pulled out the old switch and checked the Start-Run return with a screwdriver and it was fine, felt the same as the new switch. Installed the new switch and same tight feel with the need to manually turn it back to Run.

Has anyone else had this problem? Thinking maybe the lock cylinder needs some filing? ...or maybe it'll wear out on its own over time.
 

mitzel

Contributor
Sr. Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2004
Messages
562
Loc.
Googleplex
I bought a lock set through Tom's Bronco a couple years back and the
ignition switch was the same way. Mine has gotten better after this
couple years of use and a few applications of graphite lock lube.

One thing to watch out for if the key is positioned midway between
'Start' and 'Run' then on my Bronco the accessories were dead. If you
find your wipers, blinkers, etc. are not working then wiggle the key to
make sure it's properly lined up with 'Run'.


danny
 

mkaenel

Bronco Guru
Joined
Jan 3, 2006
Messages
1,545
Loc.
La Costa, CA
I have the same problem... haven't gotten around to address it yet.

If you find a solution let us know.

Matt
 

backpain

Bronco Guru
Joined
Oct 2, 2007
Messages
1,094
I bought a lock set through Tom's Bronco a couple years back and the
ignition switch was the same way. Mine has gotten better after this
couple years of use and a few applications of graphite lock lube.

One thing to watch out for if the key is positioned midway between
'Start' and 'Run' then on my Bronco the accessories were dead. If you
find your wipers, blinkers, etc. are not working then wiggle the key to
make sure it's properly lined up with 'Run'.


danny

Same here. Mine occasionally does not spring back all the way. If I lightly twist it counter clockwise the guages and accesories power up. I have just lived with it this way.
 
OP
OP
Sport69

Sport69

Jr. Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2007
Messages
70
...One thing to watch out for if the key is positioned midway between 'Start' and 'Run' then on my Bronco the accessories were dead. If you find your wipers, blinkers, etc. are not working then wiggle the key to make sure it's properly lined up with 'Run'.
danny

Yeah... I was swappping in an automatic column at the same time. Lost about an hour or so retracing my wiring. Turned out the switch was in that spot and the turn signals were out.
 

ugly74

Bronco abuser
Joined
Apr 17, 2006
Messages
2,847
Graphite works best. it's hard to find the right stuff though. most of the time I find it in these stupid little tubes, that get plugged, then all of a sudden you've got graphite up to your elbows.
what you need to find is an aersol can of graphite.
I get mine from Barnes Distribution. they call it Graph Lube.
it's nice, cuz the graphite is wet when applied, so it runs into all the crevices, and then it dries out within a minute. great stuff, works every time
 
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