Subaru_dude Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 Everything I've read so far does not apply to a DL. My ignition switch is mounted facing OUTWARD from the dash and is totally different from all the column mounted ignition switches I've read about and seen pictures of. After removing the plastic cover and unplugging the back of the ignition switch, how does the assembly come off of the steering column? It's attached by a big clamp that has a Phillips screw and some kind of threaded pin in the other side that seems impossible to remove. Shouldn't there just be a screw there? I can't get a screwdriver into the back of the ignition switch to remove those 2 screws because there's no room. Do I have to drop the column? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxerRebellion Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 Maybe a 90-degree driver would aid in this delemma? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subaru_dude Posted August 31, 2013 Author Share Posted August 31, 2013 Maybe a 90-degree driver would aid in this delemma? I have no idea what that even means. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subaru_dude Posted August 31, 2013 Author Share Posted August 31, 2013 It appears I have figured out how to remove it!!! I was thinking the entire assembly was removable but only the cylinder slips out of the housing. I am going to get help from somebody who knows what they're doing because it came out in a bunch of small pieces. I was hoping I could stick a flathead screw driver in there after it was removed and use it to turn the ignition off but it's still stuck. Could that mean it's the ignition switch and not just the cylinder? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jono Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 Never seen a dash mounted ignition switch in a Subaru. Got pics to share please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykeys Toy Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 no the switch is just a piece of plastic essentially with wires soldered to the back. Try moving your steering wheel a little to release the lock mechanism while trying to turn the ignition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subaru_dude Posted September 1, 2013 Author Share Posted September 1, 2013 no the switch is just a piece of plastic essentially with wires soldered to the back. Try moving your steering wheel a little to release the lock mechanism while trying to turn the ignition. Yeah that's what I had to do. There wasn't really any room so dropping the column was the only option. Also got rid of the steering wheel lock, and now I can stick the little bone shaped piece into the hole with a pair of pliers and crank it. I definitely need a new key switch... may know where one is. And if you've ever seen the interior of a 2nd gen Leone DL, you've seen the dash mounted key switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykeys Toy Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 Actually I was very tempted a few weeks ago to pick one up from my sons friend.. I have helped her keep the car on the road so yeah I know how funky they are after having only GLs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbosubarubrat Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 part of the problem is if its anything like the gl ignition there was a pin holding it in so it wouldn't come out in one piece, after you drill it out and pull on it with a pick it slides out nice and easy most of the time. is the switch monted like a 1st gen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subaru_dude Posted September 1, 2013 Author Share Posted September 1, 2013 part of the problem is if its anything like the gl ignition there was a pin holding it in so it wouldn't come out in one piece, after you drill it out and pull on it with a pick it slides out nice and easy most of the time. is the switch monted like a 1st gen? Not sure how a first gen is mounted, but there's a thick bracket attached to the steering column and the key cylinder is mounted to the end of that but facing outwards towards the driver. And yes I had to drill that pin out. Also dropped the column and ripped out the sheet metal plug (kinda looks like a freeze plug) to get rid of the steering wheel lock. For now the pliers are working fine, but I may try to jb weld the little bone shaped piece of metal to the end of a screwdriver and roll with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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