I have found myself needing to take out my ignition switch. What is the simplest way to do this, without taking out the dash if possible? It's an '85 FC with manual steering if that helps.

 

easy....

1. clean hands
2. find car
3. open drivers door
4. sit in drivers seat
5. remove the steering column covers, screws are on the bottom, plastic is brittle, so be gentle
5a. remove little rectangular vent deal below the column covers
6. the bolts that are supposed to hold the ignition lock on the car have no head. i usually use a chisel and hammer to tap em around. you could also grind a slot for a screw driver, or try to break em, but they are usually not very tight.
7. disconnect wires.
8. remove assembly

 

The bolts that are holding the ignition lock are what is setting me off. with the dash blocking access to these bolts with a chisel or screw driver tool. But I will definitely try it with the chisel method more diligently

 

Those bolts are supposed to be accesible from the bottom... did some previous person put your lock on upside down?

 

mine are on top (85 GSL) maybe its an FB thing? or 84-85 thing idk

if the dash gets in the way get underneath the steering wheel and take out the two bolts that hold the "column" to the dash, then you can lower the steering column down a bit more but be careful not to break anything

 

been a while since i did it, but i dont recall dropping the column, although that is pretty easy

 

You could also try a Dremel and a small cutting wheel. Make a slot or cross for a screwdriver and try it from there. Btw, if I were taking apart an ignition myself, I would replace the bolts with ones that have heads, just in case I have to take it apart again!

 

i've done that. these days i'm too lazy and just put the non head ones back

 

Could be. SA's are on the bottom, for sure. Probably made them "too easy" to get at, heh.

 

All the ignition switches I've removed had the snap off safety head bolts on the top, but I've never had an SA. I've used a pair of 5R vice grips or a very sharp wood chisel to remove the bolts. A Dremel with a small metal cutting blade works well too.

 

Can anyone supply a photo of this bolt and the area? I am about to change my ignition switch and the Haynes manual does not help. I want to see what to expect before I get there.
Thanks!!
Pete

 

I did mine - no problems. Here are some photos for anyone who wants to see what the switch looks like and where it is.
https://www.rx7club.com/members/newyorklaw-107521-albums-85-gs-ignition-switch-1195/

pete