Don W.
Stab it and steer it
Changed my ignition switch today. Now remember I've got a pillar with and elec fuel pressure and elec water temp. ALL the wiring, gauge senders, etc (except the ones one the engine of course, are under the dash and in the way. :roll:
Anyway, remove the center panel under the column which requires removal of the emer brake release cable, lower the steering column. Mine just sorta hung there. The sw, as you know is on top of the column. It has the neutral lockout (cable) attached and the dimmer sw bolted with it. Remove the dimmer first. That gives you access to one last recessed Phillips screw holding the ign sw in place. Now the sw is loose but the lockout cable is attached. Not wanting to bust something that was gonna cost a bundle and/or take forever to fix I was able to get the cable with sw attached up over the column and down where I could actually see the thing. Use a #1 Phillips to remove the 2 little screws holding the cable lockout housing to the switch. Once you do that you can easily see the plastic clip and remove the cable.
HINT the back screw for the dimmer is self-tapping into the ign sw bracket. Run that screw in once before you do the install so there's "threads' to put this screw into when you attach the dimmer. On install this bolt goes in pretty much by feel.
Although not explained well in the directions I found out quickly that the new sw has to be in the on position in order to insert the cable. Once that's done I put the key in the lock position (the place where you can remove it) and put the new sw in the locked position as well, This is one click away from all the way back. Snake the cable and lock back up over the column, hook it on the rod from the key and snug up the first bolt. (The easy one) Make sure the key works through all positions and you can get the key out. Reconnect the wires. The front (nearest the steering wheel) plug goes in first. Test again that the truck starts, runs, turns off and you can get the key out.
Insert the little Phillips screw and tighten. now remove the front bolt so you can install the dimmer.
Reverse everything else and yur done.
Additions, corrections gratefully accepted.
Anyway, remove the center panel under the column which requires removal of the emer brake release cable, lower the steering column. Mine just sorta hung there. The sw, as you know is on top of the column. It has the neutral lockout (cable) attached and the dimmer sw bolted with it. Remove the dimmer first. That gives you access to one last recessed Phillips screw holding the ign sw in place. Now the sw is loose but the lockout cable is attached. Not wanting to bust something that was gonna cost a bundle and/or take forever to fix I was able to get the cable with sw attached up over the column and down where I could actually see the thing. Use a #1 Phillips to remove the 2 little screws holding the cable lockout housing to the switch. Once you do that you can easily see the plastic clip and remove the cable.
HINT the back screw for the dimmer is self-tapping into the ign sw bracket. Run that screw in once before you do the install so there's "threads' to put this screw into when you attach the dimmer. On install this bolt goes in pretty much by feel.
Although not explained well in the directions I found out quickly that the new sw has to be in the on position in order to insert the cable. Once that's done I put the key in the lock position (the place where you can remove it) and put the new sw in the locked position as well, This is one click away from all the way back. Snake the cable and lock back up over the column, hook it on the rod from the key and snug up the first bolt. (The easy one) Make sure the key works through all positions and you can get the key out. Reconnect the wires. The front (nearest the steering wheel) plug goes in first. Test again that the truck starts, runs, turns off and you can get the key out.
Insert the little Phillips screw and tighten. now remove the front bolt so you can install the dimmer.
Reverse everything else and yur done.
Additions, corrections gratefully accepted.