would you attempt an ignition switch change in your driveway?

[gmarinos]

I followed the wisdom here on replacing the ign. switch. It wasn't the problem. You need to isolate the fault by following the it thru the circuit. Mine was a bad connection on the starter solenoid. It could be a relay in the fuse box a bad wire connection etc, reseating all of the connection fix it. As for the time, anyone who said they did it in two hours they are more flexable than I am or has done it more than once. The cable connected to the ign switch was a female dog to get out. Now I am not that good but it took me about 4 hours to get it out and 2 hours to get it back in. If I had to do it again I would hope that it would be half that. Make sure that the Ign Switchs the problem first. Be logical and isolate the fault.

[krivasauto]

Originally Posted by gmarinos

As for the time, anyone who said they did it in two hours they are more flexable than I am or has done it more than once. The cable connected to the ign switch was a female dog to get out. Now I am not that good but it took me about 4 hours to get it out and 2 hours to get it back in.

OK, I resisted posting at the time, but there is no way this should take that long if you are patient and follow the directions and pictures posted.

But I will do you one better. I found a valuable shortcut that prevents having to do the shift cable and connectors blind, which seems to take the most time for most folks.

First, remove the center vents. Do this by reaching in where the radio was, grasping the vent duct, and firmly pushing toward the rear of the car.

Next, remove the two bolts (I think 10 mm) that are holding the bracket onto the switch housing, and fish the bracket out by manipulatinig it around.

This gives you enough room to move the switch housing and get easy, visible access to the shift cable and the connectors.

Follow along:

Here you can see the center vent removed (although this pic was taken later in sequence, you get the idea):




Here you can see how to remove the lower bracket bolt:





Here you can see how to get to the upper bracket bolt (left hand through space where cluster was, tool in through where center vent was):




Voila - now you can see the bottom of the switch to depress the tab holding in the shift cable - it's the one right next to my thumb:




Be patient, have a magnet handy. Be sure the bracket is lined up and seated when putting back together. Screw both bolts in part-way till you are sure the bracket is seated on the switch, and then, as they say, assembly is the reverse of disassembly.

[gmarinos]

Hi krivasauto That looks like a much easier and for me quicker way of replacing the ign. switch. As far as replacing it in your garage or having some one do it for you its a time and money problem. After replacing one my self and the dealer replacing it the first time I have come to the conclusion that it may not be the ing switch. My Intrigue wouldn't start again so I followed the the path from the switch to the starter motor. With a meter I check the switch, it worked, then the relay, it worked then the starter motor it worked. So I put the wire back on the starter motor and it started. A bad connection some where. It is not starting again so this time I will start at the starter motor and see if I can find the bad connection.