\\\\\ Ignition switch sticking....is it cool to put WD 40 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Zumo · 11-01-2002, 12:15 PM

My ignition switch it sticking over to the right when I start my truck thus causes the starter to keep turning after the engine has started and is running. Can I spray WD40 aound it with no problems?

Longhorn Man · 11-01-2002, 12:16 PM

I would use P B Blaster...it is ten times better, but yeah, it oughta help.

lofly'a · 11-01-2002, 03:55 PM

don't use oil (oily keys in pocket and very little help)

. use powdered graphite or lube made for lock cylinders. if you need a quick fix now, get a lead pencil and make lead shavings and put in cylinder. you can put the graphite in a straw and blow it in there (the little coffee stirrers work great.

chevyforever · 11-01-2002, 10:40 PM

EXACTLY,,, don't use any sort of oil, period. all this will is make a dripping mess, and not to mention it will attract dust and gum things up some more. as mentioned above, use graphite which can be found in any hobby shop. however, dont' use too much because it only takes just very little to do the job.

mikep · 11-01-2002, 11:12 PM

Graphite works great in door lock cylinders. Do not use it in electrical switches though. Graphite is a really good conductor of electricity and will cause you loads of grief if you squirt it in your ignition switch.

Longhorn Man · 11-01-2002, 11:32 PM

Exactly...
that is why i say use just a tad bit of spray lube.

lofly'a · 11-02-2002, 02:19 AM

you can also buy lock lube at auto parts store, or lock smith. graphite comes in a tube for lock cylinders too. oh yea, oil can conduct elec. too.

mikep · 11-02-2002, 02:36 AM

Come on. Oil does not conduct electricity. Water does but petroleum oil is an insulator. Some "oils" conduct electricty to a degree because of their water content such as WD40 but oil is not a conductor .
Graphite is nothing but carbon and conducts electricity like its going out of style. Do NOT put it in your ignition lock unless you feel like chasing down electrical demons.

A.P. · 11-02-2002, 07:06 AM

I've used WD-40, my ignition switch was sticking too. Never had any electrical problams.

Huck · 11-02-2002, 08:54 AM

My recommendation would be to find a local buddy who parts of these trucks and talk him out of an ignition switch. They are real cheap new as well. Rather then take a chance on fixing the sticking, just disconnect your battery, slip your key retainer out using a paperclip, rotate the locking ring to get the ignition switch loose, drop it down and unplug the harness. Reverse to install and no more trouble. Keepy your graphite in your pencil and your oil in your crankase!! Huck

bobs409 · 11-02-2002, 09:02 AM

I took my cylinder out and sprayed it with liquid wrench, then oiled it well. Dab off the excess and reinstall. I've had no problems with any "dust" yet. It works like new now. So good, I did my other truck too!

11-01-2002, 12:15 PM	#1
Zumo Hot Rods For Life Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Waxahachie, TX Posts: 3,305	\\\\\ Ignition switch sticking....is it cool to put WD 40 My ignition switch it sticking over to the right when I start my truck thus causes the starter to keep turning after the engine has started and is running. Can I spray WD40 aound it with no problems? __________________ 1968 C10 LWB **SOLD* Andy Viva Los Bicicletas! Los Muertos Custom Bicycles

11-01-2002, 03:55 PM	#3
lofly'a Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Alexandria, LA 71301 Posts: 1,451	don't use oil (oily keys in pocket and very little help) . use powdered graphite or lube made for lock cylinders. if you need a quick fix now, get a lead pencil and make lead shavings and put in cylinder. you can put the graphite in a straw and blow it in there (the little coffee stirrers work great. __________________ -02 avalanche (daily driver) -66 gto ragtop 389/400 (garage queen, hand-me-down from dad) -72 Tribute Trans Am (6.0LS/T56 6-speed) in progress -2003 YUKON (Wife's) -71 gmc swb fleet (current project, gonna shave everything, bags, stuff w/ 20's, gen III powertrain) -48 3100 SWB - 12/31/23 LONG TERM Project

11-01-2002, 10:40 PM	#4
chevyforever Some like em' long! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Grace, Idaho Posts: 69	EXACTLY,,, don't use any sort of oil, period. all this will is make a dripping mess, and not to mention it will attract dust and gum things up some more. as mentioned above, use graphite which can be found in any hobby shop. however, dont' use too much because it only takes just very little to do the job. __________________ 1971 chevy c10 lwb- 300 hp 350 crate motor, soon to be more with ported and polished 62cc chamber 461 double humps, TH400, 3.73 posi, used to be my uncle's truck 1972 chevy k10 lwb- 350,4 spd, old and tired, dad bought brand new and is now mine 1968 chevy c20 lwb- 327, 4 spd, was originally a 50th anniversary truck 1990 GMC K1500-just my runaround truck 1982 Chevy K10 shortbed, new motor and new paint, another project in the mix of the others. IMPORTS SUCK!

11-01-2002, 11:12 PM	#5
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	Graphite works great in door lock cylinders. Do not use it in electrical switches though. Graphite is a really good conductor of electricity and will cause you loads of grief if you squirt it in your ignition switch. __________________ No truck :-(

11-02-2002, 02:19 AM	#7
lofly'a Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Alexandria, LA 71301 Posts: 1,451	you can also buy lock lube at auto parts store, or lock smith. graphite comes in a tube for lock cylinders too. oh yea, oil can conduct elec. too. __________________ -02 avalanche (daily driver) -66 gto ragtop 389/400 (garage queen, hand-me-down from dad) -72 Tribute Trans Am (6.0LS/T56 6-speed) in progress -2003 YUKON (Wife's) -71 gmc swb fleet (current project, gonna shave everything, bags, stuff w/ 20's, gen III powertrain) -48 3100 SWB - 12/31/23 LONG TERM Project

11-01-2002, 12:16 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	I would use P B Blaster...it is ten times better, but yeah, it oughta help.

11-01-2002, 11:32 PM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Exactly... that is why i say use just a tad bit of spray lube.

11-02-2002, 02:36 AM	#8
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	Come on. Oil does not conduct electricity. Water does but petroleum oil is an insulator. Some "oils" conduct electricty to a degree because of their water content such as WD40 but oil is not a conductor . Graphite is nothing but carbon and conducts electricity like its going out of style. Do NOT put it in your ignition lock unless you feel like chasing down electrical demons. __________________ No truck :-(

11-02-2002, 07:06 AM	#9
A.P. Black 72 Chevy Join Date: May 2002 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 662	I've used WD-40, my ignition switch was sticking too. Never had any electrical problams.

11-02-2002, 08:54 AM	#10
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,261	My recommendation would be to find a local buddy who parts of these trucks and talk him out of an ignition switch. They are real cheap new as well. Rather then take a chance on fixing the sticking, just disconnect your battery, slip your key retainer out using a paperclip, rotate the locking ring to get the ignition switch loose, drop it down and unplug the harness. Reverse to install and no more trouble. Keepy your graphite in your pencil and your oil in your crankase!! Huck

11-02-2002, 09:02 AM	#11
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	I took my cylinder out and sprayed it with liquid wrench, then oiled it well. Dab off the excess and reinstall. I've had no problems with any "dust" yet. It works like new now. So good, I did my other truck too! __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10



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