Starter switch bad?

[DJb]

Got in the old 92, flipped on the key and waited for the heater grid to shut off (kinda cool here that day) and went to start it up and nothing. The key didn't even come back to the 'on' position when I released it but just stayed in the start mode. Is this a good indication the switch has gone south? Would like to start it up cause it needs to be moved. Everything else seems to come on with the key in the 'on' position but totally dead in the start position. Where could I jumper it to start it up or should I not even try that?

 

[ARhine]

Is it a tilt column? Try moving it up and down to different positions.



I don't know if a 92 has the newer style column or not.



On the oder style there is a rod that runs down to the switch that is on top of the column towards the bottom. This rod could have jumped out of place.



If it is a manual trans check the interupt on the clutch pedal, if an auto check the nuetral safety switch as well.

 

[JLEONARD]

Just been thru that on mine a couple months ago. Turns out the switch itself was fine, but the locking cylinder crapped the bed. There is a small cylindrical cast section that actually makes contact and turns the switch... mine split open a small amount and prevented the switch from moving like it should.

I replaced both for piece of mind.

Be advised I had to wait two days to get the new lock cyl keyed to my existing keys... . so for temp I remounted the switch sans lock and used a screwdriver to start and stop temporarily because I need the truck every day.

You will need a "tamper proof" torx bit to remove the switch. (That's a torx bit with a hole in the center because the screw has a nipple in the middle)

I forget the exact size. (I have CRS disease)

Get any Dodge repair book from that general era and follow the instructions exactly to R&R the cylinder and switch if you end up having to do that. I say exactly because ... . well you know why... . I skipped a few words the first time and , well, it turned into a one hour job instead of 10 minutes.

Good luck.

Jay

 

[DJb]

J, that's exactly what happened to mine too. Had to wait a week for a new switch and no telling how long it'll take for a new key switch housing (or whatever it's called lol) but I ground a slot in an old socket to start it with and use an extension and racthet. Bought a complete set of those stooopid tamper proof torx screw drivers since one alone was 7 bucks and the whole set was 21 and I know what you mean about following the book lol. Just happened to have a 92 factory book that a friend gave me many years ago. Almost got rid of it cause it's been here for about 10 years and never had a 92 truck until recently lol. Thanks for the replys too!

 

[JLEONARD]

I was lucky because my son has all the torx tools so I didn't have to buy any.

I'll bet I (tired to) put the switch together 20 times the wrong way before the light went on... :-laf :-laf

ground a slot in an old socket to start it with

Got a TDR special tool number for that? :-laf :-laf

Jay

 

[DJb]

I installed the new switch before I noticed the key housing was broke. The new switch went in real easy but I wanted to know for sure if the old switch was still good or not so I pulled the new one back off and reinstalled the old one. Thought I would end up throwing it out the window by the time I got it to line up again lol. The 'socket key' is a 1/2" Craftsman mutilated by a 4" angle grinder