Who doesn’t love a car that starts on the first try? Well, maybe not everyone, but most of us would take that kind of reliability any day. Unfortunately, not all cars are as reliable as we’d like them to be. In fact, about one in every four cars will experience some form of failure when it comes to the ignition switch. If this sounds like your car, don’t worry—it’s not too late to fix it. In this blog post, we will outline the steps you need to take to replace your ignition switch and restore peace of mind to your engine.
Identification of the Problem
Your car’s ignition switch may need to be replaced if it fails and won’t turn the engine over. Here’s how to identify and replace the ignition switch in your car:
1. Park your car in a safe place with the engine off.
2. Remove the hood and front fascia of your car.
3. Locate the steering column lock pin and use a small screwdriver to remove it.
4. Loosen the four screws that hold the ignition switch cover in place and then remove it.
5. Look inside the switch housing for signs of wear or damage, and replace the switch if necessary. Reinstall the cover using screws that were previously loosened.
Removal of the Old Switch
If your car has a broken or malfunctioning ignition switch, you will need to replace it. This guide will show you how to remove the old switch and install the new one.
First, turn off the car and disconnect the negative battery cable. If there is more than one electrical connector on the switch, disconnect all of them.
Next, use a flathead screwdriver to pry off the cover of the switch. You may have to pull and twist it in different directions to remove it.
Once the cover is removed, you will see the old circuit board and switches. The new switch should already be installed on this board. Just pop it into place and reattach the cover.
reconnect all of the connectors, turn on the car, and enjoy your new ignition switch!
Installation of the New Switch
First, you will need to remove the old ignition switch. On most cars, this is a three-pin connector located on the instrument panel near the battery. Use a flat head screwdriver to pry off the cover. Underneath, you’ll see the three pins and a plastic housing. Pry off the housing using a flat head screwdriver. Next, use a replacement switch and screws that come with it to replace the old one. Reinstall the cover and secure it with screws.
Test the Switch
If you’re only experiencing intermittent problems with your car’s ignition, there is a chance that you can fix the issue by replacing the switch. Here’s how: Disconnect the battery cables. Open the hood of your car and locate the switch. Remove the four screws that hold it in place and disconnect the wires going to it. Lift out the switch and replace it with a new one. Reconnect the wires to the new switch and screw it in place. Test your car’s ignition by hooking up your battery cables and turning on your car. If everything works properly, replace your alternator belt as well.