Any simple tests to see if ignition switch is bad?, 1974 914 1.8 |
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Any simple tests to see if ignition switch is bad?, 1974 914 1.8 |
brcacti |
Nov 8 2019, 01:16 PM
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#1
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1974 914 1.8 Group: Members Posts: 674 Joined: 17-July 19 From: PHX AZ 60 miles south Member No.: 23,302 Region Association: Southwest Region |
Hello, any simple tests to see if ignition switch is bad? I have a multimeter, am slowly learning how to use it
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914Sixer |
Nov 8 2019, 01:53 PM
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#2
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 8,887 Joined: 17-January 05 From: San Angelo Texas Member No.: 3,457 Region Association: Southwest Region |
Hard to test broken plastic key way, short of pulling it out of column.
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jcd914 |
Nov 8 2019, 03:13 PM
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#3
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,081 Joined: 7-February 08 From: Sacramento, CA Member No.: 8,684 Region Association: Northern California |
Look over a wiring diagram and then test for power out of the switch at the different key positions.
The plastic housing cracks but the normal symptom of this failure is the starter circuit does not get power when the key is turned to the start(crank) position. Jim |
jim_hoyland |
Nov 8 2019, 03:26 PM
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#4
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Get that VIN ? Group: Members Posts: 9,308 Joined: 1-May 03 From: Sunset Beach, CA Member No.: 643 Region Association: Southern California |
I can sorta test the switch; a hot start relay is installed , the hot start relay is also wired to a switch in the engine bay. With key “on”, the engine bay switch will start the motor. That helps narrow down the possibilities
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914_teener |
Nov 8 2019, 03:29 PM
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#5
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,200 Joined: 31-August 08 From: So. Cal Member No.: 9,489 Region Association: Southern California |
Hello, any simple tests to see if ignition switch is bad? I have a multimeter, am slowly learning how to use it Visual inspection. Arcing across the contacts Wear and wallowing of the plastic Cracks in the plastic body....at this point it is a goner. It's simple to remove and look at. |
brcacti |
Nov 8 2019, 03:57 PM
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#6
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1974 914 1.8 Group: Members Posts: 674 Joined: 17-July 19 From: PHX AZ 60 miles south Member No.: 23,302 Region Association: Southwest Region |
I can sorta test the switch; a hot start relay is installed , the hot start relay is also wired to a switch in the engine bay. With key “on”, the engine bay switch will start the motor. That helps narrow down the possibilities I do have a hot start relay installed. Could I turn the key and check for juice on the relay? Would that be an accurate way to test for it? |
dr914@autoatlanta.com |
Nov 8 2019, 04:13 PM
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#7
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 7,872 Joined: 3-January 07 From: atlanta georgia Member No.: 7,418 Region Association: None |
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brcacti |
Nov 8 2019, 04:53 PM
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#8
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1974 914 1.8 Group: Members Posts: 674 Joined: 17-July 19 From: PHX AZ 60 miles south Member No.: 23,302 Region Association: Southwest Region |
what is the car doing? Hello, any simple tests to see if ignition switch is bad? I have a multimeter, am slowly learning how to use it Intermittent cranking, I ordered a new ignition switch from your company, I wanted to have it if needed or not right now. |
914sgofast2 |
Nov 8 2019, 07:40 PM
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#9
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 617 Joined: 10-May 13 From: El Dorado Hills, CA Member No.: 15,855 Region Association: None |
I just replaced my ignition switch that was randomly failing for over a year and making me crazy. It was making a bad connection internally, and sometimes the fuel pump would shut off, making the car act as if it weere running out of gas. Other times the hot wire going to the points/coil would go dead and kill the motor. If I jiggled the ignition key in the switch, it would re-start.
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brcacti |
Nov 8 2019, 09:47 PM
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#10
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1974 914 1.8 Group: Members Posts: 674 Joined: 17-July 19 From: PHX AZ 60 miles south Member No.: 23,302 Region Association: Southwest Region |
I just replaced my ignition switch that was randomly failing for over a year and making me crazy. It was making a bad connection internally, and sometimes the fuel pump would shut off, making the car act as if it weere running out of gas. Other times the hot wire going to the points/coil would go dead and kill the motor. If I jiggled the ignition key in the switch, it would re-start. How hard was it to replace ignition switch?, you're talking about the white plastic end part right? I have sanded MANY hot and ground connections on the car. |
Mikey914 |
Nov 8 2019, 11:11 PM
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#11
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The rubber man Group: Members Posts: 12,671 Joined: 27-December 04 From: Hillsboro, OR Member No.: 3,348 Region Association: None |
It’s not fun.
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ClayPerrine |
Nov 9 2019, 07:16 AM
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#12
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Life's been good to me so far..... Group: Admin Posts: 15,474 Joined: 11-September 03 From: Hurst, TX. Member No.: 1,143 Region Association: NineFourteenerVille |
Directions.
1. Disconnect the battery. 2. Remove the steering wheel. 3. Get under the dash and disconnect the wiring to both the ignition switch and the turn signal/wiper plugs. 4. Remove the 4 screws in the turn signal/wiper switch assembly and gently pull the whole assembly to you. 5. Remove the two big flat head screws in the column holding in the ignition switch. 6. Insert the key into the ignition switch and turn until it is in the run position. 7. Pull gently on the key and the ignition switch assembly should come out. DON"T FORCE IT. 8. Once the switch assembly is out, you will find a small, recessed flat head screw on the side. Remove the screw, then you can pull out the electrical portion of the ignition switch assembly. Reassembly is the reverse of disassembly. (I always wanted to say that!!!) |
brcacti |
Nov 21 2019, 07:41 PM
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#13
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1974 914 1.8 Group: Members Posts: 674 Joined: 17-July 19 From: PHX AZ 60 miles south Member No.: 23,302 Region Association: Southwest Region |
Directions. 1. Disconnect the battery. 2. Remove the steering wheel. 3. Get under the dash and disconnect the wiring to both the ignition switch and the turn signal/wiper plugs. 4. Remove the 4 screws in the turn signal/wiper switch assembly and gently pull the whole assembly to you. 5. Remove the two big flat head screws in the column holding in the ignition switch. 6. Insert the key into the ignition switch and turn until it is in the run position. 7. Pull gently on the key and the ignition switch assembly should come out. DON"T FORCE IT. Thanks Clay, is it hard to LOCATE the ignition and wiper/turn signal wires when doing the new ignition switch? 8. Once the switch assembly is out, you will find a small, recessed flat head screw on the side. Remove the screw, then you can pull out the electrical portion of the ignition switch assembly. Reassembly is the reverse of disassembly. (I always wanted to say that!!!) |
brcacti |
Nov 21 2019, 07:45 PM
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#14
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1974 914 1.8 Group: Members Posts: 674 Joined: 17-July 19 From: PHX AZ 60 miles south Member No.: 23,302 Region Association: Southwest Region |
Directions. 1. Disconnect the battery. 2. Remove the steering wheel. 3. Get under the dash and disconnect the wiring to both the ignition switch and the turn signal/wiper plugs. 4. Remove the 4 screws in the turn signal/wiper switch assembly and gently pull the whole assembly to you. 5. Remove the two big flat head screws in the column holding in the ignition switch. 6. Insert the key into the ignition switch and turn until it is in the run position. 7. Pull gently on the key and the ignition switch assembly should come out. DON"T FORCE IT. 8. Once the switch assembly is out, you will find a small, recessed flat head screw on the side. Remove the screw, then you can pull out the electrical portion of the ignition switch assembly. Reassembly is the reverse of disassembly. (I always wanted to say that!!!) Thanks Clay is it hard to locate the wiper/ direction, ignition switch wires to unplug when changing out the ignition switch, repost, as I put the question into the quote on my last post |
ClayPerrine |
Nov 23 2019, 02:41 PM
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#15
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Life's been good to me so far..... Group: Admin Posts: 15,474 Joined: 11-September 03 From: Hurst, TX. Member No.: 1,143 Region Association: NineFourteenerVille |
Directions. 1. Disconnect the battery. 2. Remove the steering wheel. 3. Get under the dash and disconnect the wiring to both the ignition switch and the turn signal/wiper plugs. 4. Remove the 4 screws in the turn signal/wiper switch assembly and gently pull the whole assembly to you. 5. Remove the two big flat head screws in the column holding in the ignition switch. 6. Insert the key into the ignition switch and turn until it is in the run position. 7. Pull gently on the key and the ignition switch assembly should come out. DON"T FORCE IT. 8. Once the switch assembly is out, you will find a small, recessed flat head screw on the side. Remove the screw, then you can pull out the electrical portion of the ignition switch assembly. Reassembly is the reverse of disassembly. (I always wanted to say that!!!) Thanks Clay is it hard to locate the wiper/ direction, ignition switch wires to unplug when changing out the ignition switch, repost, as I put the question into the quote on my last post Not really. If you look up through the bolt holes for the steering column on the bottom of the knee pad, you will see the plugs. You should be able to pull them off from behind the knee pad easily. Getting them aligned going back together is usually the hard part. If you can't quite get it, then remove the knee pad to provide more access to the plugs. If you have A/C, all bets are off on this. Betty's car has A/C, and I have to reinstall the plugs with a pair of needle nose pliers up through the steering column bolt holes. It is a royal PITA to do, but I would rather do that then drop the A/C unit. The plastic on it is approaching 50 years old, and getting really brittle. Make sure you do this before you put the steering wheel back on. That gets you some extra clearance to get upside down under the dash. Also, if you are a big guy, you may need to remove the driver's seat for more room. Good Luck! |
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