Strange Ignition Switch Problem

Please bear with me while I try to explain this.

97 Blazer 4x4 120,000 miles.
Sometimes when I go to shut off the engine the key will only rotate about half way off. The radio and some of the electric stuff shuts off but the motor does not die. I can turn the key back to run and everything comes back on. Also last night the service engine light came on and stays on all the time.

When this happens, I have to let the truck sit there running, with the key in the run position, like normal. Until I hear something "click" from down around the bottom left side of the steering column, or at least thats where it sounds like to me. This has been going on for awhile now and I have beat...banged and pulled on everything I can lay my hands on trying to find a loose connection or something.

Its time to fix it. But what do I fix. The key switch? Or what ever it is that clicks? It seems to me that the clicking I hear almost sounds like a solenoid. What could be down under there causing this? Is there a way to fix it like an adjustment...or could it be something that needs replaced?

It don't do it ofton enough to try and figure it out simply by trial and error. Sometimes it may go 2 weeks and not act up.

Thanks for any advice.

Do a search on this site for ignition switch problems.

This is a well discussed problem on '97s, and it sounds like your's is on the way out. Before mine went completely, the truck would stop running at normal operating speeds, but re-start immediately. Eventually, it completely crapped out and left my daughter stranded 30 miles from home.

1997, the worst year for ignition switches.

It is a black box in the steering column. REplace it and you will be perfect.

Thanks for the information.

It actually did it on the way home tonight. I had read about taking a plug out of the stearing column cover and used a ink pen to press the switch which allowed me to turn the key all the way off and remove it. Will doing this shut off all the electric like normal or should I disconnect the battery?

Also when you say replace the ignition switch, are you talking about the part where the key goes or something else?

Your right, there is a ton of post about this.

Thanks for the information.

It actually did it on the way home tonight. I had read about taking a plug out of the stearing column cover and used a ink pen to press the switch which allowed me to turn the key all the way off and remove it. Will doing this shut off all the electric like normal or should I disconnect the battery?

Also when you say replace the ignition switch, are you talking about the part where the key goes or something else?

Your right, there is a ton of post about this.

Always remove the negatie battery cable from your battery when working on anything electrical.

The ignition switch is a small black box in the steering colum.

wow this is happening alot lately. maybe we need
to start a website for this problem alone.

Seems to only plague the 1997s.

I appreciate all the help.

Seems like if you buy a 97 Blazer the first place to stop is to pick up a ignition switch on the way home. After doing a search it came up with pages related to this.

I'm planning on changing it this weekend.

i would, just as preventative maintanence.

i've also seen models up 2001 with this problem, But not as many 97's

what about the ignition tumbler on the 97's? any problems with the stok key not wanting to turn one way, but if you flip it over it works fine?

No reports on that yet.