Ignition lock cylinder or ignition switch?

[Bonanza]

Ok all, need some help trouble shooting a problem on the 1976 Chevy 1/2 ton 4x4 Bonanza.  Sometimes when I turn the key to start the truck, it doesn't.  I have to turn the key just a little harder before it finally "catches" or connects and starts.  It is not a starter problem I know so is it the ignition switch under the dash or the ignition lock cylinder that has a bad connection?  I'm assuming some sort of wires run off the back of the lock cylinder to the switch under the dash itself.  It wouldn't be the lock cylinder itself because that is just mechanical right?  Just fishing here and looking for some brainstorming ideas.  I found a great thread on here already about replacing the ignition lock cylinder but that doesn't sounds very fun.  The switch n the other hand sounds pretty easy so help me out please.  Could it possibly be the battery itself is kinda old?

[bake74]

     You are right, there is a mechanism and wires off the back of the key switch on your steering wheel.  That is the first place I would start and work my way down to starter.  But it really sounds like it is the key switch in the steering wheel to me.  Good luck and keep us posted....Tom

[Bonanza]

That's kind of what i'm thinking too.  Would it benefit at all by spraying some electrical cleaner in the lock cylinder or damage something?  Thankfully I found the excellent thread on here of ignition lock cylinder removal as the good 'ol Chiltons manual only has 4 sentences of how to remove a '70-'72 ignition lock cylinder. 

[bake74]

     I don't think electrical cleaner will work, but it wont damage anything electrical, maybe take off all the lithium grease that is on the back of the key switch ( it is used to ease friction).  Your best bet is to take the key cylinder out and inspect and repair if you find a problem, otherwise you might have to dig into steering wheel Coulomb  to see what is going on...

[Bonanza]

as much as I can tell, I have to tear into the colum to get the key cylinder out.  That means removing steering wheel etc.  Bleh    But yes, that would make the most sense as the first place to start. 

[Irish_Alley]

It sounds like the ignition switch is the problem
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/1974-Chevrolet-K10-1-2-ton-P-U-4WD/Ignition-Switch/_/N-iootpZ9n859?filterByKeyWord=ignition+switch&fromString=search
There’s a rod that goes from the thingamajig to the ignition switch if the switch can’t make contact it will not power the key switch on the starter the reason you have to turn the key a little harder is because the contacts are worn down

[Bonanza]

I like the sound of that.  Not really wanting to tear into the colum too bad.  Gonna try to pick up an ignition switch soon and cross my fingers.  Thanks

[Bonanza]

So I checked all "under the dash" and behind the instrument cluster for the igntion switch and it looks like it is attached to the top of the steering colum real close to the firewall.  Does that sound right?  Could this be the original igntion switch and will the new one mount to the same place or somewhere else, maybe on the firewall.  If what I believe is the igniton switch, it is "rounded" due to forming around the steering colum and the repros look like the will not attach to the same place.  Is this correct?  Thanks again for your help everyone!

Bret

[Irish_Alley]

No this piece should be attached to the steering column take that website I posted tats what it looks like and it close to the bottom of the shaft

[Bonanza]

alright, I'm pretty sure we're talking about the same thing.  Thanks

[Irish_Alley]

Yeah don't know what I was thinking lol but yeah your right

[turdgear]

you could put a push button switch in an inconspicuous spot with one side wired to 12v and the other to the starter selenoid.  it will turn over whenever you hit the button.  cheap easy fix.  just a thought

[Bowtie Bomber]

you could put a push button switch in an inconspicuous spot with one side wired to 12v and the other to the starter selenoid.  it will turn over whenever you hit the button.  cheap easy fix.  just a thought

I was actually thinking about doing that. My truck does the same thing. Been through two columns so far, stupid things kept becoming sloppy. Last one, the key switch ate it. This one I have now has been giving me some issues. It would be picky about starting in park, but would always start in neutral. Now it doesn't want to start at all. Accessories and everything electrical comes on, just doesn't turn the engine over. So I've been using a good ol' screw driver to start her.


I was thinking about taking out my ash tray, and put a sweet push button start in there. Just flip it down and start her up, then flip it back up and cruise away. It would be like something off a movie.

Sorry to hijack the thread, been having starting problems as well obviously, lol. Figured it'd be best to post in here than make a new thread.

[jaredts]

If it starts in neutral but sometimes not in park its probably your neutral start switch.

[Grim 82]

I had similar trouble with my 82 and it was the ignition switch. You would have to turn the key and hold it and then tilt the column up and down until it made contact. It's alot easier to replace if you lower the column.