Flashing Instrument Cluster

Hi Guys,

I've got my father in law's car over for a look about. I figured I'd have a look first before tearing into the ignition switch to clean it. He has had a few no start conditions.

I put the key in, switch it to on and not always, but the lights in the instrument cluster all flash on and off including the odometer.

Sometimes if I wiggle the key it stops, but not always. If the lights are flashing and I turn it to start it will still start.

Aside from that. With the key on, and the lights not flashing, the security light remains on in his car. I tried my Intrigue, and the security light comes on but turns off after about 5 seconds.

I'm headed out there right now to see if I can spray the switch down with some electronics cleaner to see if that will do the trick.

I am torn as to where the problem lays. Ignition switch? Or Security system?

THanks for the help guys.

Hoppy.

Seems like when mine was having issues the security light would still come on.

Id go the ignition switch route myself, its free and not horribly time consuming to do, at least the cleaning.

If you wanted to get real crazy you could put yours in his car since you know it works, just swap his key cylinder into your switch.

All I know is weve seen a heck of a lot more ignition switch issues than security issues.

I concur Littlehoov. I think it is the switch too. How long do you reckon it took you to do the cleaning Littlehoov?

I am not going to tear apart my car though, if it were a car in which I knew like the back of my hand, such as my old Mercury Capri, I would go for it.

Funny thing between my car and my father inlaws. Mine is a 2002. My father in law's is a 2000. I read the owners manual that the security light in my 02 turns off after 5 seconds with the ignition on, engine off. My father inlaw's 00 will not turn off until the engine is started.

Anyroad. I will see when he can come over next, perhaps tomorrow. Its dark and cold out so I won't attempt it till then at least. I had a feeling it is probably an ignition switch. I may just call around and see if I can find a new one and take the one in his car apart and clean it for a spare. It depends on how much they are and if I can get one from someone other than the dealership.

Thanks Littlehoov

Yeah, I just confirmed on my 2000 that the Security light stays on even on a perfectly functional ignition when the key is left in the ON position.

Ok, Well, I haven't torn into the ignition switch to clean it yet, however, I'm still torn on the lights flashing in the instrument cluster. Is this a sure indication of a bad switch?

Littlehoov, How long did it take you to take the switch out, clean it and replace it? I am only asking because if it is longer than 3 hours to do then I am going to wait till the weekend to do it so I have the time to finish it without rushing, otherwise I will do it tomorrow night.

I'm hoping I won't run into problems otherwise I will have to leave my Ford with my father in law to give him some means of reliable transportation.

I dont remember how long it took me exactly, but I know it didnt take 3 hours. So you should be ok as long as you dont run into any hangups.

Keep in mind that I think weve had a couple folks who had to actually replace their ignition switches, cleaning wasnt enough, but in my case it was, as has been for several others.

But like I try to remind folks, its free to do, and all it takes is a little time and effort.

As for a sure indication, id say its a pretty good one, I dont know that there is a sure indication without hooking it up to a Tech II.

Thanks Littlehoov,

I just went out for pricing on a switch. One GM dealer I called wants $275, another wants $160. My regular parts store wants $140 for it. Keep in mind these prices are all Canadian dollars too.

I'll try to do a cleaning on it first and see how I make out. Other than that, I may have to buy the new switch to make sure it is ok.

Wow...Have you thought about ordering that online? You can get a genuine Delco for $86 (USD) at gmpartsdirect.com. Or if you don't mind ebay, this guy has it (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-01-02-03-04-05-Impala-Ignition-Starter-Switch-D1432D_W0QQitemZ150160546324QQihZ005QQcategoryZ504 59QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) for $77 shipped.

Hi Guys.

I took the switch out and apart and found the contacts inside to be burned/pitted fairly bad. After scraping them and polishing them up the car runs great now. We'll see if the stalling/no start problem ceases to exist now.

I took some picutures of the process of taking the switch apart, not out, but apart. I will try to document it somewhere, but am afraid if I post it here and someone doesn't reply to it after 3 months that they will get in trouble with the moderator for replying to an old thread.

I will compose something anyway.

Thanks for the help guys.

Hoppy

Just go ahead and do document it, you could ask to have it stickied in this forum, or at least locked so no one could reply to it.

Or even if it does get buried, if you refer people back too it and someone replies itll get locked anyway, so thats taken care of.

Id like to see all the information we have on the ignition switch compiled into one post and stickied, perhaps we can work on that at some point.