ignition switch

[markysparky]

Hi there been lurking in the background for yonks! first post exellant site full of top info but hoping for a nudge in the right direction got a 81 westy lhd with intermittant fault on the starter had the motor away for refurb cleaned all the wiring to battery and earths, still get occasional fault when faint click heard from fuel pump i think but starter fails to turn. just bought new ignition switch pulled steering shroud off and electrical block off the end of ignition switch but not sure how to get electrical switch out of bottom of barrel? is it a wheel of job and remove outer slieve there looks like there is poss little grub screw keeping swith in place. any info welcome

[Red Westie]

You have pretty much sussed it....steering wheel off, plastic couling removed, three screws for indicator and wiper stalk removal, two shear bolts that hold the upper steering column (you may need to tap these around if it still has the original shear bolts) remove pinch bolt then withdraw the alluminium ignition housing (you need to have the key inserted and turned...think to position 1)
All this to get to a single pozi retaining screw (actually not that much work really)
Forgive me if I forgot anything...
Note* make sure your steering wheel in dead straight when removing otherwise when it comes to re-assembly the wheel will end up squiffy..
If it makes you feel any better...these swithes do fail exactly as you describe and left unrepaired just get worse and worse.
Martin

[markysparky]

cheers martin you confirmed what i thought, sounds like youv'e suffered with same fault! thanx for speedy reply will get job boxed of next few days. knew id get a quick response

[Red Westie]

The switch itself is a common part number to polo/golf/jetta/passat and some smaller Audi's, late 70's to mid 90's. Yes I've changed quite a few over the years, including three on vehicles I've owned. Thankfully the switch is considerably easier to change on a T25 than it is on most of the cars mentioned....they need a special puller to extract the top column step down splined sleave.
Martin