Ignition Switch Problem!

[911Guy]

Greetings Group,

As you can see, I am a 911 guy, and sorry to sorta parachute in here, but a good friend, who is not into the Internet has a 280Z with a problem we don't know how to fix. I'm hoping this forum can help the way Rennlist does with my old 911.

Dan accidentally put thw wrong key in his ignition and it fit well enough to get the switch to "on", but now it is locked there, and of course, the right key won't go in now. Is there a way to get the cylinder back to "off?" If not, how do you change out the cylinder from this starting point?

Thanks in advance and sorry to jump in here!

Best regards to all,

Dave

[Arne]

I used to work in the auto repair industry years ago, and we used to see this fairly often in both Nissans and Subarus when their ignition locks got worn. You can try to fiddle with it yourself, but we always found that when one of the guys did this to a customer's car it was quickest to have a local locksmith fix it.

[DeesZ]

I second the locksmith suggestion. Same thing happened to mine last year...solution was a locksmith who has been in business for a while and has worked on the old school stuff. It only takes 5 ~ 10 minutes to fix (if you know what you're doing....) I have learned to be very careful now with the keys. Seems like almost anything fits in that hole, and the trouble begins when you turn it....

[911Guy]

Thankyou John and Arne, I willPass that on to Dan and he can take it from there. Glad to hear it is not too difficult.

Best,

Dave

[rzkas]

hello and how ya all doing? i need help. i bought a 76 datsun 280 from a friend. he told me all i need to change is the feul pump and the car will start up. i changed the pump and put in a battery. i tried to the start the car but not cranking or sing of trying to start. but all headlight and taillight turns on and off. pls help me solve this problem. any idea will help. i am also looking for a wiring diagram on how to installa an aftermarket stereo and installating racing on this car. thanks for your help.

[sblake01]

Okay I don't know what the problem with your car is because you really haven't given much information. Two things; I'd forget the stereo and the 'racing' (whatever you mean by that), until you solve the main problem. And why do you think that you needed to post this question(?) in 6 different threads?

[240ZX]

Greetings Group,

As you can see, I am a 911 guy, and sorry to sorta parachute in here, but a good friend, who is not into the Internet has a 280Z with a problem we don't know how to fix. I'm hoping this forum can help the way Rennlist does with my old 911.

Dan accidentally put thw wrong key in his ignition and it fit well enough to get the switch to "on", but now it is locked there, and of course, the right key won't go in now. Is there a way to get the cylinder back to "off?" If not, how do you change out the cylinder from this starting point?

Thanks in advance and sorry to jump in here!

Best regards to all,

One additional note worth mentioning regarding ignition key/cylinder. Many people have a bundle of keys on their key ring and when you have all that additional weight cantilevered off the end of your ignition key (while it's in the cylinder and driving) you accelorate the wear on the cylinder and internal parts. So, to insure long life with your ignition lock, remove your ignition key from your key ring to eliminate the load caused by the additional weight.

Tom

[sblake01]

That's good advice but I'm sure that 911Guy has solved his problem since it was over a year and a half ago. For whatever reason, rzkas chose this old thread as one of six places to ask the same question which has nothing to do with the subject of this one.

[Ttiger]

I found complete brand new ignition switches, with the Nissan logo keys, on ebay for $75 shipped. You can also find just the cylinder for about $40. If it's not too far gone, a locksmith can fix it for about $30.