Mondial Ignition Switch Removal

I need some help in figuring out how to remove the ignition switch (electrical portion) in a 1982 Mondial 8.

My problem appears to be a voltage drop across the switch. With the ignition in the "On" position (car not running) there is 12 volts coming out of the switch to the coils (measured at the ignition switch connector). But..........when cranking, the voltage drops to around 9v and it will NOT start, it turns over fine, just won't start.

I have put a jumper in the ignition switch connector from the "power in" to the "power out to the coils" and it cranks and runs fine. I have also checked the power coming into the switch and there is no voltage drop there when cranking.

I am thinking the connections/contacts within the switch itself need cleaning but how do I go about getting into it???

Any suggestions, other than a hammer & chisel, will be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Paul

Hi Paul,

It is not neccesary to pull the Key Portion of the switch. What you need to service or replace is The Electrical Portion which is held in with 2 screws at the back of the unit. You can do this from under the dash.

Regards, JRV

JRV,

I wish it was that easy! I finally got it out and repaired (replaced actually).

The switch is encased in a solid housing which surrounds the steering column. There is no way to get to the back of it without pulling the whole thing out. There is a small screw in the housing that needs to be removed and then, with the key in the correct position, a small spring loaded pin can be depressed and the switch assembly can be pulled out. You also have to remove the wires from the connector in order for them to be pulled through the small hole in the column housing.

Seeing as you cannot buy just the electrical portion of the switch, I ended up buying a complete ignition switch for a F-355 (the Mondial part number has been superceeded). The complete F-355 switch would work with some slight modification to the housing, but as I only needed the electrical portion I only used that. With the exception of wire length the electrical portions of the old and new switches are identical. The wires on the new switch are 15" too short though.

I stretched the wires, put the new electrical part on the back of my old tumbler and reinstalled everything. Works like a charm.