Key in Ignition Reminder Switch

[RT87]

Had to disassemble the steering column for another issue and could not figure how to reinstall the key reminder switch and retainer properly. Any tips?

 

[RT87]

ttt

 

[tenright]

???

recently I just had my whole column apart trying to replace a cruise arm..yea I know DUH!!! figured out it just pulls right out and pops back in after I dissasembled the whole thing...including fabricating a tool to remove the retaining ring. But my stupidity can be your gain lol....

I don't remember anything in the ignition switch assembly that could be put in incorrectly. If I remember correctly that was the one part that could only go in one way. But if you refresh my memory a bit on the parts that are giving you trouble I might be able to help....

 

[RT87]

The key reminder switch is a small square plastic piece with a couple of contacts that face 11:00. It is held in place in a square hole just below the ignition lock cylinder with a metal retainer. I am not sure how the switch and retainer go together or if there is special position for the ignition lock cylinder to be in for installation of the switch. I do not want to force the switch if something is not properly in place

 

[tenright]

oh yea

I do remember this, it is a thin metal thing that acts like a spring, I had some trouble trying to figure out wether it should be long side up or down..I'm pretty sure it was long side down....take a pic of the parts attach the pic here and I can tell you how I put it in.....I do remember playing with that thing scratching my head....it really only fits one way but I messed with it enough that now my buzzer only goes off if I push a bit on the key, if I just let the key hang it doesn't have enough tension anymore to set off the buzzer. I would have pulled it back apart but I like it that way. This is like a 3 or 2 piece assembly if I remember correctly.

 

[fitz3820]

I did the column repair last year, try a few different positions and it should go back in. I wish I left it out, the key chime is annoying - at least to me.



Check this out, may help:

http://buickperformance.com/tiltsteeringcolumnwobble.htm

http://elcaminocentral.com/article95.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/column/tiltcol.html

 

[RT87]

The pieces are shown in picture 14 of column wobble.htm. The basic question is how does the spring mate to the switch and does it simply press firmly in?

 

[tenright]

This pic is more accurate, it just sort of pushes in. My dilemma was which way the spring clip went in. This is a good pic that would have saved me a ton of grief.....

 

[RT87]

That picture should solve the problem. Thanks tenright and fitz3820