Hello again guys,
Im trying to see if i can clean the ignition switch from some gunk and cant seem to get the barrel out. Ive done some searching and you either have to have the key in 1 or 2 position(ive tried both) and then release the "tang" or pin before sliding the barrel out, right? Ive got the covers off but the only hole i see for a pin or anything does nothing(pic attached). Its the only hole i see on the square area that is the switch. I tried putting a screw driver in the hole and pushing a little at first then harder but whatever is in the hole felt solid. Any ideas?

 

Andrew, you didn't need to remove the cover off of the steering column. If you look at the cover for the steering column, there is a hole down at the 6 o'clock position. If you stick a screw driver in that location with the key in the III (RUN) position, the tumbler will pull right out (note, this leaves all the electrical on in the car and therefore it is a good idea to remove the negative battery cable to prevent killing your battery). PUtting the tumbler back in simply requires you to push it back into place.

 

Edit: i did find a small hole in the front of the switch assembly but theres no play or any movement when i try to push in on it.


thanks for the reply thermo. im not seeing any holes on the cover besides the screw holes that hold it on. am i missing something? :/

 

Andrew, when it doubt, go and read the instructions. LMAO. Ok, per the service manual I have, you are supposed to insert the key into the tumbler, rotate the key to the "I" position. You then depress the locking pin (the small hole at the 9 o'clock position, as shown in the first picture in the post above). The tumbler should then be able to be pulled out.

Just to ask the silly question, are you depressing the locking pin while attempting to pull the tumbler out? From my experience, you need to press and hold the release (locking pin) until the tumbler is free of the opening.

 

I did read the directions. In your first post you said it was at the 6o clock position and i could press the pin without removing the covers. Ive tried pushing first and pushing as i pull but the pin seems stuck.

I also had found a jaguar workshop handbook for 02 to 09 xtype that had the same instructions but i still seem to have a stuck pin or the wrong hole. Thats what she said. Ba dum tsss..

 

Andrew, I work on a lot of vehicles and sometimes I cross them together. I was thinking of my Ford Expedition. That has the pin hole at the 6 o'clock position on the steering column. so, that is my error.

 

Any idea how to get the pin free? Only thing i can think of is to take the steering wheel off and have a few taps at it. I guess i dont mind having to replace it at this point but i was just hoping to blow it out and lube it back up but now the tumblers seem to be sticking.