ignition switch change

1991 golf cabriolet

has anybody changed / or knows how to change the ignition switch. Does it involve drilling and removing the lock… or do can you just remove the switch section only….

any hints and tips..

cheers

stu

From memory you have to drill it out


Your Haynes manual has a section on how to do it , you will need that as it shows exactly where you need to drill.

Hmm, I think it might be worth asking VW for advise. I think there is a screw you can take out and then remove the ignition switch. The trouble is that the screw is inaccessible without first removing the steering lock etc off the steering column. I think theres a VAG special tool (a slide hammer) to help get it off.  

I'm sure someone else had the same problem on here and got VW to do the job in the end. I can't find the post though.

let us know how you get on, why do you need to remove it?

Cheers,

Ross

Ross

thinking about it you may be right [make that will be] the early MK'1 you have to drill out [up to about 1988]. Later cars i have no idea .


Is there nothing in a later Haynes manual ?


Cheers…………

Not sure about later Cabbys but with tintops you can remove the steering wheel, plastic cowlings, indictor switches and then one or two Allen headed studs hold the ignition barrel/key assembly to the steering column. The actual electrical switch part is held to the bottom of this by a screw. My experience of changing this switch on a ?83 Driver and swapping the lock assembly on my GTI there is no need to drill anything its all bolt on/off stuff.

Yeah, I was about to say……

It all depends on which part of the thing you want to replace whether you need to drill or not.

But from what I seem to remember reading, the later cab has a slightly different setup but I can't confirm this. Theres nothing about a change in the haynes either.

Thanks allot for your help guys…..  i only want to change the switch..one of the poles has lost continuity hence cant supply the j59 relay…

On the older models the switch is held in place with a screw…  but on the later models there isnt one… wether its a push fit or something i dont know…  

Cant be a common problem…

cheers stu

Early-1800 is spot on  8)

Yes early-1800 is correct for the older models, there is a screw on the bottom of the switch, as it indicates in my haynes manual, but on the later models the screw isnt there…so i have no idea…..   maybe the slide hammer method is the way to do it…   any more ideas chaps…?  will vw be willing to part with the info on how to do it…?

stu

EKTA seems to show the same for all 80s & 90s MK1 and MK11 Golfs and Jettas, Sciroccos etc  :dontknow:

Buy a new one and you may be able to work out how it fits?  :dontknow:

I have all parts if you need anything  

Cheers

Rich

Cheers again …. cant really believe that no one has ever changed one…. it cant be that difficult. The new switch arrives tomoz, courtesy of euro parts, but in the meantime hopefully someone will come up with the goods on how to do it.

stu

Stu - Early-1800 already has told you how to do it - all the cabs are the same as the tintops.

Cheers

Rich

Ok crazy cheers for the info…  

stu

The correct way to change the ignition switch on a 1991 golf cab is :-

1. remove the steering wheel
2. remove the cowling around the switch/starter
3. remove the 4 slot head screws which hold on the ignition/light stalks etc, and pull back the stalks
4. remove the 8mm allen stud wihich prevents the barrel from spinning on the shaft.
5. At this point the barrel can not be pulled back due to a splined collar, hence you need small double, or triple leg bearing pullers to remove the collar.
6 remove the spring that is also on the shaft onc the collar has been removed, the barrel can then be reomoved from the shaft.
7. the ignition switch is held on with one screw at the back.
as haynes say ..removel is the same as refitting

be careful when refitting the collar as you are pushing against the resistance of the spring so it is quite difficult. i managed to push it into position then tap it home with a small socket and nylon hammer.

:clap:    Cheers for that. So not too bad a job then!

The splined collar? Is that the adaptor for fitting the later type steering wheel to the Mk1 or is it another collar all together?

Cheers,

Ross

Ross,

Yes I think is is an adaptor from the small mk1 to the later larger mk2 wheel bore.

Cheers

Rich

had the lock on my cabrio done just this week..  A special tool was required to "Unlock" the steering wheel.  Like a large screwdriver thingy.  Anyway we had to wait for this guy to come along to unscrew the coloumn then the garage was able to change my key barrel. The tool was not needed to re assemble the steering wheel back……wonder if this helps…..