Need Help relacing ignition swtich...

I was wondering if someone could help me with replacing the ignition switch in a 96 Intrepid.

What are some of the steps involved ?

Is it a hard job ?

I still need to price the ignition switch, hopefully not too expensive.


Thanks in advance.

Hi, Looks like we are both at same crossroads. We have a 1995 Intrepid that quit starting. After reading posts on this board on testing starter & relays we have determined its in relay distribution box back to ignition switch, and we are guessing ignition switch. I did a price check with advance auto online just to get ballpark pricing and average looks to be about 33.00 for ours. We have took the cover off our steering column as he was checking for bad wires or connection. The switch is in a plastic type casing, and we are not sure how you get it out of the casing, unless you broke the casing itself, but viewing the part (ignition switch) online it doesnt show it to come with this casing when you buy the part, so there has got be a trick to removing it from this plastic casing besides breaking it out lol. Curiosity how did you determine it was your ignition switch? Ours would click - click then finally start, but just up and quit. I read on board how to check the relays and the relays are good, but oddly after he has messed around with the relays and wiring it is back to starting at random, might this time but when you cut off, it might click and click and click lol and not start. From what i read here on board if it was starter gone bad it would never start. We are gonna try the ignition switch, i was waiting to see if someone would reply to your question & offered some advice. I'm gonna look online with advance auto or auto zone and see if they dont have a self help guide for replacing the switch. I was searching tonight on how to replace one also, and thought maybe my tid bit of info might help, or if you found out that maybe you can post back on how to, Bratty

Usually if the ignition swith on the column itself goes bad you'll have other symptoms, like dash lights not working, and other accessories coming and going. If you're getting a full 12 volts to the big post on the starter and also to the little post on the starter every time, whether it clicks or starts, I'd lean towards the starter or solenoid being faulty.

Bratty-
You have also described the symptoms of;
a faulty connection to the battery. Make sure the battery cable connections at both ends are clean and secure.
a dying battery.
a starter with worn bushings, worn bushings can cause the starter to bind and after a few jolts it will work.
a faulty connection to the starter. Make sure all connections to the starter are clean and secure.

If you are hearing the solenoid click, I would suspect the ignition switch is good. If you want to be sure, then test. I posted a link to some wiring diagrams for the Intrepid.

The best way to test the ignition switch is to use a test light to see what wires are getting power when it is in the acc. position, on position, start position, and off position. A wiring diagram will help in determining what wires should have power and when.

woscarr-

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/18/54/8c/0900823d8018548c.jsp

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/18/2d/39/0900823d80182d39.jsp

Check out your local auto parts store's websites for prices. Be aware sometimes the web price is less than the store price, bring in a print of the web page and have them match the price if this is the case.