How To Repair Ignition Switch On 1999 Suburban

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A faulty ignition switch in your vehicle can cause several problems ranging from your car stalling and all lights going nighttime to the radio not working unless the cardinal is wiggled from side to side. Once you lot've been able to place the ignition switch every bit the source of your problem, replacing it is often a fairly straightforward process that requires only common mitt tools. Y'all should consult an application specific repair transmission before starting this project on your own.

1
Disconnect the negative terminal on the battery. Locate the battery in the engine bay or trunk of your vehicle. It will expect like a black box with a positive (+) and negative (-) post sticking out of the top of information technology. Use an advisable sized wrench to loosen the nut holding the cablevision on the negative (-) terminal and then slide information technology off the post.^[one]
- You don't need to remove the positive cablevision from its last.
- Tuck the negative cable to the side of the battery to brand sure it doesn't accidentally come up into contact with the terminals.
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"If your ignition switch is going bad, your central might not plow in the ignition, and the vehicle may not turn over when you crank it."

Jason Shackelford

Auto Technician

Jason Shackelford is the Owner of Stingray Auto Repair, a family owned and operated auto repair shop with locations in Seattle and Redmond, Washington. He has over 24 years of feel in car repair and services, and every single technician on Jason's team has more than ten years of experience.

Jason Shackelford
Auto Technician
2
Remove the trim around the steering wheel. There are likely a number of plastic trim pieces between you and the ignition switch. Remove them carefully past either popping them off of their plastic clips or removing the screws and bolts that hold those pieces in place.^[two]
- Refer to a vehicle specific repair transmission for guidance on how best to gain access to the ignition switch.
- Set all trim pieces aside somewhere safe where they won't get stepped on or damaged.
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3
Have the steering wheel out if it's in the way. In some vehicles, you may be able to supersede the ignition switch without removing the steering wheel. However, if you lot're unable to go access to the top of the ignition switch with all the interior trim pieces removed, the steering wheel may need to come out. Refer to a vehicle specific repair manual for guidance on how to safely remove your steering wheel from the vehicle.^[3]
- It's important to get vehicle-specific guidance on steering wheel removal to avoid dissentious the airbag or even accidentally setting information technology off.
- You lot can buy vehicle specific repair manuals at your local motorcar parts store.
- On some vehicles, yous'll need a special tool called a steering wheel puller to remove information technology.
4
Release the clips on the ignition module cover. There may be a plastic cover surrounding the ignition module in your vehicle. If so, press the release on the clips plant on either side of the encompass (it's round, then they'll exist constitute 180 degrees reverse of one some other). You lot may need to press the pinnacle release with a screwdriver if information technology's too difficult to access with your fingers.^[4]
- With the releases pressed, slide the cover out over the ignition module.
- Set information technology aside someplace safe until you need to reassemble the dash.
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Insert the key and plow it to the "accessory" position. The ignition switch needs to be set to the accessory position before you can release it from the ignition module. The "accompaniment" position is before the starter is engaged, and would unremarkably let you run the vehicle's electronics without the engine running (when the battery is connected).^[5]
- The key may be stuck in the ignition switch, but that shouldn't cease yous from turning it.
- If you don't accept a key, you will need to force the module to turn using a flathead screwdriver.
2
Printing the release pin inside the hole on the ignition module with a screwdriver. Look over the top of the ignition module until you find a hole that'due south slightly smaller in bore than a pencil. Insert the screwdriver into the hole to printing downward on the release pin inside.^[6]
- If you lot don't take a small enough screwdriver, you can use anything long and sparse enough to printing the pin, including a paintbrush handle or even a kabob skewer.
- Don't use anything brittle that may break inside the hole to effort to printing the pin.
3
Slide the ignition switch out. With the release pin pressed, pull the ignition switch straight out of its place beneath the steering bicycle. It should come without whatever resistance, but information technology's not unusual for it to stick a bit in older vehicles that have accumulated a lot of dust and droppings effectually the cylinder.^[seven]
- If the switch feels stuck, make sure you are pressing the release pin firmly enough with your screwdriver or similar tool inside the hole.
iv
Accept your ignition switch rebuilt if yous desire to keep the aforementioned keys. Some dealerships will rebuild your existing ignition switch if you lot would rather not take to switch ignition keys. Rebuilding your switch can vary in cost based on the application and may not ever be available.^[8]
- A rebuilt switch should work only as well as a new one.
- The just existent benefit of a rebuilt switch is not having to employ new keys.
5
Buy a new ignition switch if yours tin't be rebuilt. Only some dealerships will rebuild an ignition switch and they ofttimes can't for all vehicles, so rebuilding yours may not be an option. In that instance, you will demand to go a new switch from a manufacturer specific dealership that volition also provide you with new ignition keys to friction match. Provide the dealership with the twelvemonth, make, and model of your vehicle along with the VIN number to be sure to become the right part.^[ix]
- You can sometimes go aftermarket ignition switches from your local auto parts store besides.
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1
Clasp the release pivot on the ignition switch so information technology'southward flush with the side. The same release pin that stopped the switch from coming out now needs to be pressed in so you can slide the switch into place inside the ignition module. Merely press it down with your thumb.^[x]
- Concur the release pivot in until you have the switch inserted.
- Some switches have an angled release pin that you don't have to printing downward every bit y'all slide the switch in.
2
Slide the ignition switch into its pigsty. The new or rebuilt switch should slide easily dorsum into its pigsty on the steering column. Align the shape of the cylinder and the location of the release pin with the congruent grooves in the ignition module. Keep pressing information technology in until you hear the click of the release pin setting into place within the steering cavalcade.^[11]
- If yous don't hear a click from the release pin, the ignition switch isn't properly seated yet.
- You may demand to button in on the switch a little to make it click into place.
3
Reconnect the battery and test the new switch. It'southward best to test the switch before yous completely reassemble the dashboard, but in instance there's an issue. Reconnect the cable to the negative (-) terminal on the battery, then insert the key into the ignition and plow it to offset the vehicle.^[12]
- The vehicle should start without whatever issue. If information technology doesn't, remove the ignition switch and reinstall it.
iv

Shut the engine off (if it starts) and disconnect the battery again. Now that you lot know the new ignition switch works, you lot can set up about re-assembling your interior. Remove the cable from the negative concluding on the battery for safety while you piece of work.^[13]
5
Put the dash back together in the reverse order of how it came autonomously. Dashboards are notorious for the use of overlapping plastic. Start by installing the last parts your removed and go backwards from there. Every vehicle'southward interior goes together differently, so the order you install the parts will vary from application to awarding. If you lot find yourself having problem getting the pieces to fit dorsum together properly, refer to a vehicle specific repair manual for help.^[14]
- Be certain to utilize either the screws or clips to secure each slice every bit you go.
- Don't force trim pieces together or they may break. If someone won't proceed properly, accept it out and wait things over to see what's stopping it from seating properly.
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Reconnect the battery. With the dashboard completely assembled and the new ignition switch working, reconnect the cablevision to the negative (-) last on the bombardment and tighten it with the right sized wrench.^[15]
- Make sure the cable is secure and can't jiggle loose.
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Not all steering assemblies are the aforementioned. Check your owner's transmission to find the parts mentioned and how to disassemble them on your particular vehicle.

Things You'll Demand

Owner'due south manual
Minor Phillips screwdriver
Allen wrenches (metric)
Flat screwdrivers (various sizes)
Minor pry bar
Hammer
Steering wheel puller (optional)
Shop light
New ignition switch

About This Article

Article Summary X

To replace an ignition switch, you'll demand to either have your onetime switch rebuilt by a dealership and so you can keep your former keys or purchase a new switch from a dealership and get a new gear up of keys. Either manner, you should remove your old ignition switch by taking out your vehicle'due south steering wheel and ignition module cover, inserting the cardinal and turning it to the accessory position, then sliding out the switch. One time the old switch is out, you can slide the new or rebuilt one into the hole on the steering cavalcade and reassemble the dashboard. To learn how to remove a steering wheel and ignition module cover, go along reading!

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