Faulty Ignition switch?!?!

667 Views 11 Replies 7 Participants Last post by GTi Giant, Dec 3, 2001

XSiVE

Discussion Starter · Dec 2, 2001

Ok heres my problem of the year.. the cars ignition switch has been acting up for quite a while but now im finally just sick of it.
the problem is this:
step 1. I put the key in, turn it to on, ok everything works fine, my accessories power up and the dummy lights i nside the dash light up.
step 2. I turn the key to the start position. The starter turns the engine over, but it wont fire.. at this stage i notice that all my dummy lights are OFF.
step 3. While the key is still in the start position and the engine is still cranking, I pull on the key, push on it, in all different directions..
results: as i do step 3, the dummy lights blink slightly as the switch tries to make a connection. When i find the perfect position of the key in the cylinder my dummy lights all come on, and the engine gets its spark and vroom. I'm all set.
so i am left with 2 options..
1. try to rig up a momentary switch to bypass the "start" position
2. take it to the dealership and have them put in a new ignition cylinder.
i dont wanna do any of this myself, its pretty delicate work, even the bentley says "drill a hole" in the old cyl to get it out.. everything is all rivoted in and i dont wanna F up my car.
if anyone else has done one of these replacements before please speak up and slap me into doing the work myself if you think it is easy.

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XSiVE

Discussion Starter · #2 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Faulty Ignition switch?!?! (XSiVE)

ok so now i add a picture of a cool golf from the LBS album just so this thread will get looked at some more.

[Modified by XSiVE, 3:35 PM 12-2-2001]

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vrsixpack

· #3 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Faulty Ignition switch?!?! (XSiVE)

i have had the same type of problem and from what i hear it is pretty common. i had my 97 gti for 5 months and was getting ready to replace it for the second time......but said f that, it will just happen again. so i did what my buddy did in his passat.
put in a push start....ta dah
take apart steering colom
look for the two big red wires to ignition
cut them...first disconnect battery of course
buy a 60 amp started switch
solder wires from cut wire to new switch
cover up old wire ends to ignition
mount switch
all done
you still have to turn the key to the on position and push clutch, depending on year of car and just push the button.
http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

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easy-dubs-it

· #4 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Faulty Ignition switch?!?! (XSiVE)

well....i can't really help you out ...but i can complain and give u a bump at the same time

....i suffer a similar problem
my head unit only turns on when i jiggle the key around untill it hits the right spot then alls fine.
so i suffer a similar problem....any help???

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XSiVE

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Faulty Ignition switch?!?! (vrsixpack)

quote:[HR][/HR]i have had the same type of problem and from what i hear it is pretty common. i had my 97 gti for 5 months and was getting ready to replace it for the second time......but said f that, it will just happen again. so i did what my buddy did in his passat.
put in a push start....ta dah
take apart steering colom
look for the two big red wires to ignition
cut them...first disconnect battery of course
buy a 60 amp started switch
solder wires from cut wire to new switch
cover up old wire ends to ignition
mount switch
all done
you still have to turn the key to the on position and push clutch, depending on year of car and just push the button.
http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif [HR][/HR]

60 AMP SWITCH! yikes!! where can i find one of those?? did you mean starter switch?? like a momentary switch?

[Modified by XSiVE, 6:17 PM 12-2-2001]

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easy-dubs-it

· #6 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Faulty Ignition switch?!?! (XSiVE)

my car starts fine....but my stereo only works when the key is in a pin pointed position....
thinking a loose wire or connection somewhere....what wires connect the head unit to the ignition?

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EuroStyle

· #7 · Dec 3, 2001

Re: Faulty Ignition switch?!?! (easy-dubs-it)

I ahd a bad switch too, although I replaced it before it got that bad. Have it sonw, the cost was resonable and it is better than jiggling a high current item to try and get it to make contact if you know what I mean....
Sean

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easy-dubs-it

· #8 · Dec 3, 2001

Re: Faulty Ignition switch?!?! (EuroStyle)

good point...

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XSiVE

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 3, 2001

Re: Faulty Ignition switch?!?! (EuroStyle)

quote:[HR][/HR]I ahd a bad switch too, although I replaced it before it got that bad. Have it sonw, the cost was resonable and it is better than jiggling a high current item to try and get it to make contact if you know what I mean....
Sean[HR][/HR]

that is what relays are for

a momentary switch supplying voltage to a relay works well

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vwsickness

· #10 · Dec 3, 2001

Re: Faulty Ignition switch?!?! (XSiVE)

Funny I should see this topic today. My dad's 94 Jetta's ignition switch acts up but where you can't even insert the key. At first I was thinking it was just bad luck and that he got a defective switch. Well, today I try to start my 96 Jetta and the key will not turn...almost like I had the wrong key for the car. So I start beating on the steering lock, spaying WD-40 into the tumblers and trying my wifes keys. During which my wife is saying "We should really get rid of this car"

To be honest I was thinking the same thing. This car mind you has a file folder which is an inch thick (when compressed) of repair receipts. This car definitely has a "citrus" quality

Mind you we bought the car new. According to the Bentley you need a special puller to get the splined adapter sleeve off...I guess I can spread the cost between the two cars. I guess Consumer Reports wasn't kidding when they reported problems with the ignition on these cars

Edit due to spelling corrections...trigger happy with the post button

[Modified by vwsickness, 12:27 AM 12-3-2001]

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JimGTIVR6

· #11 · Dec 3, 2001

Re: Faulty Ignition switch?!?! (easy-dubs-it)

quote:[HR][/HR]my car starts fine....but my stereo only works when the key is in a pin pointed position....
thinking a loose wire or connection somewhere....what wires connect the head unit to the ignition?[HR][/HR]

same problem i had. It ended up being ignition, so i believe. Its in the shop now after getting towed away saterday, when i tried to fix everyting..and well.. i couldnt.
o BTW, suppodly according to my mechenic its something that goes on almost every VW that is linked with first signs of electrical problems.The ignition switch was made of cheap stuff and can be linked for alot of stuff.

[Modified by JimGTIVR6, 8:28 AM 12-3-2001]

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GTi Giant

· #12 · Dec 3, 2001

Re: Faulty Ignition switch?!?! (vwsickness)

Hey Ryan - how's it goin? I am having the same prob w/ my 97 GL. I took the whole steering column apart, was going to fix it myself. Once I got down to the switch I changed my mind. The switch is made up of two parts, the lock cylinder and the actual electrical switch. I spoke w/ a local dealer and was told that they would charge me about 200 to do the work. The odds are you are going to have to have the lock cylinder replaced. They were going to do both. That leaves you w/ two choices, have two keys (one for doors and one for the ignition) or wait like two months while they special order a keyed lock cylinder for your car. I didn't find out the extra cost to do that. The electrical part of the switch is like $30 and I think the mech (lock cylinder) is around $45.

[Modified by GTi Giant, 8:30 AM 12-3-2001]

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