1985 Nissan Sentra Ignition switch

HARLEYHARRY

MEMBER
1985 NISSAN SENTRA

Other Category problem
1985 Nissan Sentra 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Manual 210k miles

My niece has a 1985 Sentra with the keyway worn out in the ignition switch. I have a new key tumbler cylinder to put in it but need info on how to do the remove & replace in a step by step format that I can print out to follow instructions. Please help?

4 Replies

BLACKOP555

MECHANIC
10,371 POSTS

#1 insert key into ignition.

#2 turn the key to the on position.

#3 find a paper clip and straightened it out.

#4 then insert paper clip into hole located around the ignition cylinder housing

#5 while pushing up paper clip pull out on the cylinder

installation is reverse.

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Saturday, January 5th, 2008 AT 7:33 PM

HARLEYHARRY

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Thank you! Now, how do I get to where this hole is? Do I partially disassemble the steering column? How do I remove the outside ring that denotes the key detents ("LOCK" "OFF" "ACC" "ON" "START")? Also, do I first have to remove the switch assembly from the vehicle to do this repair? Harry

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Sunday, January 6th, 2008 AT 1:48 AM

BLACKOP555

MECHANIC
10,371 POSTS

Can you see the hole somewhere on the outside of the housing? Look all around it if you cant find it post back, the ring shoudl come right out when you pull on the cylinder. And the ignition switch is at the bottom of the cylinder.

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Sunday, January 6th, 2008 AT 8:48 AM

HARLEYHARRY

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3 POSTS

Ok, it appears that I will have to remove the bottom portion of the box assembled around the steering column. The hole (and the whole switch assembly) is hidden and not accessable from outside the box. I'll remove the bottom part of the box and see what I can see from there. Thanks!

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Sunday, January 6th, 2008 AT 5:46 PM