changing ignition switch 99 seville

[airmike]

A little how to, in case I can help anyone in the future. Removing the ignition switch on my 99 sts.

1: remove the console lid. Put the shifter into 3, and pop the center piece up around the edges using suitable plastic trim too. Disconnect the traction control switch, then return shifter to park. at this point you can disconnect heated seat and lighter wires and set lid aside.

2: pop out upper trim (above radio)

3: remove radio. 1 screw above and 2 below. ....wire connectors and antenna

4. now you can reach inside the dash and remove the 3 wire connectors the black one is simple the 2 others (push retainers are toward the front of the car and are easy to push with a 90 degree pick)....and the park lock cable, as well as that one bolt at the top of the switch..10mm wrench ( a cheap one bent about 60 degrees) tried a shorty gearwrench, but no room

5. next you can remove the lock cylinder by turning the key to run position and push tab on the side of switch with a small straight screw driver while pulling the key out...

6. now the fun part! from the front remove 2 bolts with 10mm wrench. Same thing, wrench needs to be bent or possibly small crows foot. I had best luck bending a cheap wrench to the angle that fit. one can be box end, the other will have to be open end.

you are now ready to take it out the radio compartment hole. If you have gotten this far you wont need any help putting it back in

[BodybyFisher]

Good post Mike

I am working on a 98 SLS and trying to determine if its the ignition switch or solenoid. This engine is from my scrap yard and while the installer did a good thing, he dropped the ball on a couple of things like he left the top nut on the stabilizer links loose an they came loose within days of each other making a racket.

I thought the problem was a solenoid because if I simply turned the key, I got only a click.. When I machine gunned the key, the starter engaged and it started, it was as if the solenoid switch banging machine gun style caused the contacts to engage. But,

Then the owner told me she has no problem starting the car, it seems she has learned how to start the car. She said, if she turns the key fast, it starts....hmmm. That made me think the ignition switch may be the problem...

What were your symptoms? Did it ever "seem' like a solenoid?

[airmike]

I had no problems with the starter. My problem was intermittent connection, turning on abs/traction control, and intermittent power loss to amp, mirror and it seems transmission. I can't even say after the fact, that my ignition switch was bad. After changing it, I had most of the same and some different intermittent problems, but the amp no longer malfunctioned. The intermittents were stopped by pushing the new switch and the key cylinder towards each other. I don't know/understand why that is not connecting constant unless the three wire connector on the rear of key cylinder is the problem. I tweaked the three male ends of the lock cylinder to make a new/tighter contact spot, with no improvement. At the moment I have a wedge pushed in behind the new switch, holding it toward the key, and it continues to work.

[BodybyFisher]

I am not focused on her car right now, your intermittants are different than hers, hers is starting problem. Right now i am focused on my engine and it was 34 degrees when I woke. Ill get back to her car, right now I am brainstorming it. Thanks for your experience.