I was cleaning up my ignition switch this weekend because of an intermittent internal connection.? I found the problem, repaird the connection and assembled the body leaving the key switch installation for last.? While attempting the install the key switch (Please no-one laugh), the internal tumbler retainer fell out, as did the tumbler, along with all the tumbler pins.? It took me a few mintues to realize I was all alone with this problem because everyone ran when I began speaking in tounges.?
I could only find 9 out of 10 tumbler pins and worked for a couple of hours trying to get them back in place; eventually giving up.?
Has anyone got a lead on a replacement ignition switch that fits the hole in the dash board and mounts with the screw on bottom?? I tried the universal that you get from a parts house modified it enough that it will work but it looks bad.? Help...
1950 Ply Deluxe (2 dr sedan)
Clark?
Hi, Clark,
How about just hot-wiring the car, and taking it to a locksmith.
Any good locksmith could re-assemble the lock tumbler assembly in a few minutes time.
A missing pin is 'no big deal'......the lock will work normally with one pin completely missing.
The theoretical security issue of the missing pin, which would allow another lock's key, the same as yours except for a different cut height on that particular pin location, to operate your lock, is meaningless for any practical purpose. Again in theory, a lock with one pin missing is easier to pick......but have you ever heard of a car being stolen by picking the ignition lock, as opposed to hot-wiring, or simply towing the car?
cheers
Carla
Thanks Carla,
I will try the lock smith first... You are right about the lock, Hotwiring one of these cars is cake. I suppose one pin is better than none and it will keep the factory look to my car instead of that horrible looking universal switch.
Clark
the 50 ignition switch has an armoured cable on the back. 53 and up did not and as the units are interchangeable, the later switch makes a good replacement because there is no problem with shorting in the armoured cable. The key lock cylinder fits from 1935 up to when they changed to column mounted switches (1970?)
As Carla said, any good locksmith can fix you up. The door locks should match the ignition lock. When I have acquired a car without keys, I would remove a doorlock, have it keyed by a locksmith and the results usually fitted the ignition. If you come up blank (pardon the pun) on the keys, I may be able to help further. dp
David,
It was the armored cable (wire) that was causing my engine to die when the wires jiggled. I have all that repaired and working fine but I do have to get the key tumbler to a lock smith because without the pins; the key just falls out from vibration.
Your knowledge did lead me to another discrepancy though, I have a seperate key for the doors & trunk (Dont match the ignition). I guess I will take them all in... As Ive said before; "You never get finished"
Clark