98 Blazer - Bad Ignition Switch?

[rasmith527]

Does anyone know a surefire way to determine if an ignition switch needs to be replaced? What are some common issues with a bad ignition switch? Some of my cluster lights keep lighting up and I had read that POSSIBLY the ignition switch is bad. Any thoughts?

[Rick Norwood]

Originally Posted by rasmith527

Does anyone know a surefire way to determine if an ignition switch needs to be replaced? What are some common issues with a bad ignition switch? Some of my cluster lights keep lighting up and I had read that POSSIBLY the ignition switch is bad. Any thoughts?

If you read my thread on the 2001 Instrument Cluster, you can see some of the issues. Basically about half of the dash lights, gages and indicators didn't work at all. including the PRNDL. About all that did work was the oil Pressure and Temp. Some people experience transmission issues. If you read my thread, you will find the service bulletin number in there. Do a Google search on that number and you will be able to find a read the Service bulletin too. To read my thread, click on my name and then click on the "Find all threads started by this user" then go to the 2001 Instrument cluster.

Let us know how it turns out.

Rick

[drdd]

symptoms of a bad ign switch are:

VERY common on 1997's - almost a "this WILL happen" it's not a matter of "if" but "when"

mysterious tranny codes, usually related to electrical ...

engine literally shutting off for no apparent reason - very dangerous ... if you're turning left at an intersection and then all-of-a-sudden, engine cuts out, loss of power steering, steering locks, brake booster gone --- phew! happened to me -- not fun!!


for your cluster lights ... I'd probably be looking at shorts, bad grounds,

Originally Posted by rasmith527

Does anyone know a surefire way to determine if an ignition switch needs to be replaced? What are some common issues with a bad ignition switch? Some of my cluster lights keep lighting up and I had read that POSSIBLY the ignition switch is bad. Any thoughts?

[rasmith527]

I'll keep that in mind...Thanks!

[Turbocpe]

Originally Posted by rasmith527

Does anyone know a surefire way to determine if an ignition switch needs to be replaced? What are some common issues with a bad ignition switch? Some of my cluster lights keep lighting up and I had read that POSSIBLY the ignition switch is bad. Any thoughts?

I'm not sure I totally understand your issue with the cluster lights keep lighting up? My '98 Blazer has automatic headlamps, and if the sensor on the dash detects that it is dark enough outside, it will trigger the instrument cluster lamps, and rest of the lights (head lamps, etc.) to turn on.

Any possibility that the automatic headlamps are kicking on? I'd have to check the book to see, but X amount of seconds has to pass before it will kick them back off or on.

Other than that, I'm not sure I'm understanding what you are saying.

[rasmith527]

Originally Posted by Turbocpe

I'm not sure I totally understand your issue with the cluster lights keep lighting up? My '98 Blazer has automatic headlamps, and if the sensor on the dash detects that it is dark enough outside, it will trigger the instrument cluster lamps, and rest of the lights (head lamps, etc.) to turn on.

Any possibility that the automatic headlamps are kicking on? I'd have to check the book to see, but X amount of seconds has to pass before it will kick them back off or on.

Other than that, I'm not sure I'm understanding what you are saying.

No. It has nothing to do witht he headlight sensor. The problem I'm having is while driving the warning lights for ABS, Security, Seatbelt, Battery light up while my gas and temperature gauge take a nose dive to far left. I've read that a bad ignition switch usually can cause this kind of trouble.

[Turbocpe]

Thanks for the clarification. Do they promptly go off? Those are the warning lights that initially turn on and stay on for a few seconds when the key is first turned to Run, as well as once it returns from Start position.

[rasmith527]

They flash on and off at times while driving. Sometimes they stay on for a few miles, then go out. Sometimes, they don't at all.