Ign Switch Lock Cyl.

My 6 is coming out of a 10 year dormancy this spring inspired by a set of MT Alcoa Challengers I picked up on CL.

I cant find the key

I called NAPA and they showed a column switch so we went back a few years to choices of spade or screw on connections.

I read the manual to find out how to remove the switch and how to remove the lock cyl. Mine is spade.

They are closed right now or I would ask them but can you get just the lock cyl and key?

 

Is it a dash ignition or on the column. If it is a dash ignition, just grab the back of it under the dash and push forward towards the dash and then remove the front ring, there is a spring on it holding pressure and then you just remove the front ring that says "starter" by turning it counter clockwise. You can then order one from oreilly for $23. I just ordered one. Hope this helps.
If it is a column ignition then as far as I know you need the key to remove it.

 

I think most come as a unit...the key+cylinder assembly.

 

If it's the original steering column, a '75 has the key switch in the dash. Last year - 1976 was the first year for the "modern" GM column.

IIRC replacement switches have always come without the lock cylinder. The idea is to remove the lock cylinder from the old switch and use the new switch with the old lock cylinder. This way you can keep your existing keys. But you have to have the key to remove the cylinder.

Complete lock and cylinder sets should be available. You may have to buy them separately.

Another option, if you can get the switch out of the dash, is to take the whole assembly to a locksmith and have new keys made. Shouldn't be very expensive if you can carry the lock to the locksmith and avoid a service call.

 

The parts book shows the cylinder coming separately from the switch ... at least for 1975.

There are two variants of the switch - with or without brake pressure warning light:
5454951 without
5454952 with

The switch for the previous year is
929960 without
991659 with

The 9xxxxx numbers are Kaiser era, and should go back for several years. 92xxxx is 50s-60s and 99xxxx is ca 1970. You can probably buy the 929960.

My guess is that this is a one-year part because of the wiring harness change in 1975. This was the first year for the fuse panel harness, where all the wires are within plastic loom. The '74 and earlier used inline fuses and the harness was wrapped in tape.

Ok - you could probably make the '74 part work, but if it were mine and the switch still works, I would go the locksmith route. Or find the keys.

 

Thanks everybody. I went with NAPA # KS6599 lock cyl and switch. An exact copy. Now to get it running.