Replace Ignition Switch Support 89 chevy - 1989 Chevrolet C/K 2500

There are basically two parts on the column. The Ignition Switch is near the bottom, under the dash, attached to the top of the column's tube as I already expalined. The other part is the Ignition Lock or key Cylinder that is located at the top. People commonly confuse the two.

Which are you replacing? There is really only one way to do either so if its easy that will depend on your skill level.
I can show with pictures how to do an ignition lock cylinder and also explian how to do the switch. I would just like to know which one to save me time from explaining both. There are basically two parts on the column. The Ignition Switch is near the bottom, under the dash, attached to the top of the column's tube as I already expalined. The other part is the Ignition Lock or key Cylinder that is located at the top. People commonly confuse the two. Which are you replacing? There is really only one way to do either so if its easy that will depend on your skill level. I can show with pictures how to do an ignition lock cylinder and also explian how to do the switch. I would just like to know which one to save me time from explaining both.

The one at the top just under the dash... please hlp The one at the top just under the dash... please hlp

I happened to have a switch in my garage so I took a couple pictures. Unfortunatly in Fixya beta there is no choice to insert images from my hard drive. I tried a host but I need to enter a verification and no matter how I do it Fixya says I did not enter it correctly so I cannot put up images.
I'll do the best I can in an explaination. I happened to have a switch in my garage so I took a couple pictures. Unfortunatly in Fixya beta there is no choice to insert images from my hard drive. I tried a host but I need to enter a verification and no matter how I do it Fixya says I did not enter it correctly so I cannot put up images. I'll do the best I can in an explaination.

[email protected] [email protected]

your welcome t send them to my email. [email protected] your welcome t send them to my email. [email protected]

Disconnect the battery to be safe.

Remove the trim panel from the dash that is right bellow the steering column. Depending on if you have the old or new body style will determin how the panel is attached. Phillips or 7mm hex head bolts and maybe some clips on the back side that simply pull out with the panel.

If its an automatic there should be a clip with small cables slid onto a sleeve that is part of the steering column. This cable is for the gear indicator needle. Slide it off so not to break the cables.

There is a big bracket that has four bolts attaching it to the column. That bracket is held up by two nuts (usually 15mm. I have found some to be 13mm and SAE on early ones). Remove the two nuts and the column will drop down a bit. This is going to make it easier to get to the switch.
You may need to unplug or turn the brake light switch to get the column past it as it comes down.

There are two plugs on the switch, one black and one blue. There is a tab on each one. Press and hold the tab in on the black and unplug it. The black plug interlocks and has to come off first. Then press the tab and remove the blue plug.

One of the retaining bolts on the switch also holds part of the headlight dimmer switch. Remove that one and the other on the dimmer switch. There may be a tapered phillips and 1/4 hex head screws. Then remove the final screw holding the switch.

There is a rod on top of the column tube going under the switch. This rod is indirectly attached to the key cylinder. Lift up on the switch. You may need to hold the rod down as the end of the rod goes into a hole on the switch.
The switch is removed.

A new Delco switch should have a green pin sticking out of a hole. This is so there is no adjustments needed. Just bolt the switch on and pull the green pin.
If there is no pin then you need to bolt the switch on. Make sure the rod went into the hole in the slider on the new switch and the switch is flat against the columns tube.
Just snug the screws holding the ignition switch and dimmer switch. Turn the ignition key towards you as you would to put it in the Accessory position. It should click fully into position. If it does not click. If it does not click when the key is turned towards the steering wheel you will need to slide the switch up, towards the steering wheel.
If it clicks and the key is still close to the Off position then you need to move the switch down.
Snug the bolts, plug the wires in and test.

If you can't get the key into the Accessory position where the radio would turn on (if the radio is factory or connected in the same way as factory) you may need to move the switch up. If you have to turn the key very far to get the engine to crank, you may need to move the switch down.

The dimmer switch will also need adjustment. Make sure the rod that was in the dimmer switch is back in place and I like to push the switch tight to the rod and then a little more so the button is just starting to press in. Snug the screws for it and test by pulling the blinker lever. It should be faily easy to click on and off without pulling the lever too far.

Pictures would help and I will try and contact Fixya to find out why I can't insert web links and image codes. I hope I explained it clear enough for you. Disconnect the battery to be safe. Remove the trim panel from the dash that is right bellow the steering column. Depending on if you have the old or new body style will determin how the panel is attached. Phillips or 7mm hex head bolts and maybe some clips on the back side that simply pull out with the panel. If its an automatic there should be a clip with small cables slid onto a sleeve that is part of the steering column. This cable is for the gear indicator needle. Slide it off so not to break the cables. There is a big bracket that has four bolts attaching it to the column. That bracket is held up by two nuts (usually 15mm. I have found some to be 13mm and SAE on early ones). Remove the two nuts and the column will drop down a bit. This is going to make it easier to get to the switch. You may need to unplug or turn the brake light switch to get the column past it as it comes down. There are two plugs on the switch, one black and one blue. There is a tab on each one. Press and hold the tab in on the black and unplug it. The black plug interlocks and has to come off first. Then press the tab and remove the blue plug. One of the retaining bolts on the switch also holds part of the headlight dimmer switch. Remove that one and the other on the dimmer switch. There may be a tapered phillips and 1/4 hex head screws. Then remove the final screw holding the switch. There is a rod on top of the column tube going under the switch. This rod is indirectly attached to the key cylinder. Lift up on the switch. You may need to hold the rod down as the end of the rod goes into a hole on the switch. The switch is removed. A new Delco switch should have a green pin sticking out of a hole. This is so there is no adjustments needed. Just bolt the switch on and pull the green pin. If there is no pin then you need to bolt the switch on. Make sure the rod went into the hole in the slider on the new switch and the switch is flat against the columns tube. Just snug the screws holding the ignition switch and dimmer switch. Turn the ignition key towards you as you would to put it in the Accessory position. It should click fully into position. If it does not click. If it does not click when the key is turned towards the steering wheel you will need to slide the switch up, towards the steering wheel. If it clicks and the key is still close to the Off position then you need to move the switch down. Snug the bolts, plug the wires in and test. If you can't get the key into the Accessory position where the radio would turn on (if the radio is factory or connected in the same way as factory) you may need to move the switch up. If you have to turn the key very far to get the engine to crank, you may need to move the switch down. The dimmer switch will also need adjustment. Make sure the rod that was in the dimmer switch is back in place and I like to push the switch tight to the rod and then a little more so the button is just starting to press in. Snug the screws for it and test by pulling the blinker lever. It should be faily easy to click on and off without pulling the lever too far. Pictures would help and I will try and contact Fixya to find out why I can't insert web links and image codes. I hope I explained it clear enough for you.

You were great thank you so much.. how do I get therod back in the steering column. The one that goes to the dimmer I think... it came all the way out. I replaced the switch but still doesn't work... probably my fault, for sure it is. Your explanation will help You were great thank you so much.. how do I get therod back in the steering column. The one that goes to the dimmer I think... it came all the way out. I replaced the switch but still doesn't work... probably my fault, for sure it is. Your explanation will help

I sent pictures that show a switch and where things go.
I can email you and maybe we can figure out what is not working. Emails would be a bit easier that back and forth through here. I sent pictures that show a switch and where things go. I can email you and maybe we can figure out what is not working. Emails would be a bit easier that back and forth through here.

I agree that sounds like a plan I agree that sounds like a plan