Scot1952
Member
The ignition switch on my 74 charger is sticky and hard to turn (it still works though). Probaly due to the wd-40 that has been sprayed into the lock over the years. Any ideas on what to do to lessen or cure the stickyness? Thanks
Sticky Ignition switch
- Thread starter Scot1952
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disassemble and clean it and apply a light coat grease
You could run some simple green in the lock (not too much) protecting surfaces around it, let it set a while then turn the key in the lock a few times. Run a pipe cleaner wand in it then blow it out with compressed air covering the lock to avoid blow out of any debris everywhere. Run a slight coating of clean lube in it such as Teflon lube or track grease and see how that works. It may not be the tumblers though; but if you suspect a lot of stuff was tossed in the lock, this is 1st try before getting more invasive.
Lock cylinder? Spray it with brake clean, denatured alcohol or the like to clean it out. It will probably just run out of the bottom of the column. You need to get it clean first.
Nacho-RT74
Well-Known Member
Ignition switch or key cylinder ? they are two separated pieces.
Graphite powder is the correct way to lubricate the tumblers... and the cylinder in general
Graphite powder is the correct way to lubricate the tumblers... and the cylinder in general
Get clean and dry then powered graphite as Nacho-RT74 said. Oil and grease attract and hold dirt.
If you crack open an ignition switch you will find grease the tumbler isn’t spring loaded the switch is. The tumbler may be the culprit but we don’t really know that yet. The switch on my bee was hard to turn and I found it to be the switch not the tumbler.
https://agscompany.com/product/lock-ease-graphite-lubricant-aerosol-3-oz/
If this is what turns out to be needed instead of/in addition to grease use sparingly and maybe mask of the area or you'll have a fine grey mess on your hands & car...
If this is what turns out to be needed instead of/in addition to grease use sparingly and maybe mask of the area or you'll have a fine grey mess on your hands & car...
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'69 still had the dash-mounted switch, right?
yep the 70’ up column switch is still spring loaded not the tumbler. Just trying to say here not to blame it all on the tumbler the switches have grease in them and it tends to get old and dried up.
I like the smell of gun oil, any time of day!
Scot1952
Member
Thanks guys for all the great ideas.
Scot1952
Member
Problem solved! It turns out that it was NOT the ignition lock or ignition switch that was sticky, it wqs the linkage between the ignition lock, ignition switch and the lock plate mechanism. Once I lubed that the stickiness went away. Thanks for all your good suggestions.
kbfallon
Well-Known Member
They will chew them selves up quickly if not lubed after cleaning....most factory fresh cylinders have a thick grease in them. I cleaned one up on my own 96 ram a while back and didn't lube it well and it didn't last long...lucky it was my own and not a customers.
Powdered graphite works about the best.
Nacho-RT74
Well-Known Member
Yes that light coat of thick grease is applied when assemblying the cylinders, but once assembled you can't reach easily the thumblers, hence why powered graphite is the solution.
Unless you take it to a locksmith for whatever other reason like change the key and thumblers are removed for the change.
Unless you take it to a locksmith for whatever other reason like change the key and thumblers are removed for the change.
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