I have come to this forum for help and advice over the years and just wanted to give a little back so thought about starting this thread. If it gets trashed, that is fine, I just appreciate all the help I have received.

I am sure there are people out there that have figured out some unique fix to avoid purchasing a new part or have found a unique work around that made a repair much more simple. I have one I am going to post, maybe if you have one that is worth while you can add it.

 

My ignition switch went out such that the "on" position no longer worked. I could turn the key to "radio" and get the radio, I could start the car, but as soon as I let go of the key, the car would die, no ignition lights.

To fix this the suggested thing has been to replace your ignition switch. However, the problem could be that the contacts screwed up which is a lot easier to fix than pulling out the ignition wire harness and switch.

Disconnect the battery cable of course. When you take off the steering cover the switch is bolted on the left side. Once you remove the white switch from the switch body, you will notice that the switch is made up of two pieces snapped together by 4 plastic tabs. Carefully unsnap the tabs and pull the switch apart. One side has 4 or 5 contacts with wires going to those, the other is a set of contacts that transition the power through the different points on the switch as the key is turned. If you see any small pieces of metal welded to those contacts, this is your problem. I used a dremel tool to level it off and then went back in with 320 grit sand paper and 600 grit sand paper to smooth the contacts out. Make sure it is clean and then sap it back together. Put the switch back into the body and test it out. If it works, your done, free fix.

 

I've actualy got a few questions regarding my 93 Lude's dashboard.

I've got the dash that goes across the entire cab. My issue is that the gas gauge and temp gauge do not light up. I just put in a new battery, checked all the fuses, and even tried a new Dimmer relay. I can't get those two gauges to light up. The dimmer switch to the left of the steering wheel doesn't seem to do anything either. I disconnected that switch too and nothing changed. When I first turn the key, whether I start it up or just put it on to acc. they light up only a little, then dim so much that if you didn't know they were there, you'd have no idea they exist.

Any ideas or theorys as to what this may be?

 

idontbelieveit.

 

Very common problem, and it's the gauges themselves. I personally don't know of any way to fix it other than replacing them. I got rid of mine and went with aftermarket ones since the newest used ones you can find will still be 15 years old..

 

Thats pretty much what I thought it'd come too. Guess that one I saw on eBay should be the one I grab then. You say you got an aftermarket one.. where would I find one of those at?

 

im not 100% on this but i think he means a different type of gauges i.e. glowshift or something similar.

 

^ Yea, just an aftermarket water temp gauge.. Prosport I think. I'm getting an Autometer fuel gauge eventually.. I haven't been using one at all for the last several months, and found they aren't really that necessary.

 

Ah, I see. I'll probably end up doing something similar then. They are probably more accurate anyway. Thanks for the heads up though.