You bet they are headless, so now what?

When trying to start my DL, the clicking goes on and on in the lock.

Eventually it starts, or not. Sometimes next day.

Am I right to think it needs replacement?

Shared experience welcome please.

Is this a junkyard part?

Soobies Forever! Tim - Denver

You walk them out with a sharp chisel, or drill the head off. But you don't need to worry about that because if the key turns, it's not the ignition lock cylinder. It's probably not the ignition switch either.

 

I assume when you turn the key to the start position, all you get is a loud click in the engine bay? That's the starter solenoid, and the contacts wear out in it. You can either put a reman starter in, or buy the contacts and put them in your self.

yeah, but it's more common for the ign switch to fail.

Yeah, to remove the ignition lock, which is held on by two shear bolts, you use a chisel and its actually really easy. They're very soft metal, they're not on tight and don't need abuse to get them off. If your just going after the switch, you can leave the shear bolts and ignition lock alone. The ignition switch just pulls off of the back of the ignition lock, once you get all the steering column plastic off.

 

Have you checked the battery terminals and starter connections? Probably the #1 reason for intermittent start problems is bad connections.

 

Welcome to USMB

Edited June 14, 201114 yr by El Presidente

yeah, but it's more common for the ign switch to fail.

 

I know you've had a lot more junker EA82's than me, but I've never seen a switch go bad. The click click no start is always the starter solenoid contacts in my experience.

Lock is OKAY, switch is too, but the solenoid contacts weren't! You people helped a lot, thanks and blessings to all! TK

I had an issue with my car where it wasn't the ignition (replaced with know good) switch or the starter... I replaced the contacts, cleaned the plunger. Actually took apart the whole entire starter and greased it all up. (very easy and makes a huge difference, btw). But STILL sometimes just got a click.

I cleaned every wire, ground, everything... CLICK.

 

It ended up being a weak connection to the solenoid, for whatever reason. Tired wiring? Anyway, putting a really to give it battery power fixed it for good.

 

 

To get the bolts out I drill two holes in them, and use a spanner bit. Couldn't be easier.

Edited June 17, 201114 yr by 987687