'68 Beetle Ignition Switch

hambone · Post by **hambone** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 6:30 pm

Why (o' why) does my switch have a tendency to slide out towards the driver? It happened slightly today, causing the insides to not quite "switch" in the proper position. According to Bentley, the wheel is removed, then the switch is secured under a small plate. I'd guess this plate is missing.
Well, like my earlier adventures with the parking brake, I attribute this to stickiness/disuse. I was able to secure the switch back to it's original position/functionality, and sprayed graphite liberally into the werks. It's much better, but still slightly crunchy/grindy when the key is turned. Brazilian of course, or maybe Mexican. CRAP!
Any insight?

Bookwus · Post by **Bookwus** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 6:56 pm

Hiya Ham,

I was having some problems with the ignition switch in my Bus a couple of years back. Got some advice from a local locksmith that has proven golden. "Never", he said, "never mix lubricants in a lock". Differing lubricants can actually work together to gum up the moving parts. So what do you do if you don't know what has been used before? Remove the mechanical part of the ignition and clean it thoroughly. Then lube it.

I went back home and dunked my keylock into a paper cup filled with spray brake cleaner (the really nasty stuff). I let it sit for a couple of hours and then sprayed it directly. You wouldn't believe the amount of crap that came out of that thing. Trust me, these little guys can harbor a lot of filth.

So, after blowing it dry I then had a clean keylock. What to lube it with? The locksmith recommended Tri-Flow. It comes in two sizes of spray cans. Spendy but darn well worth it. I lubed up the mechanism. It worked like butter then and still does today.

hambone · Post by **hambone** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 10:24 pm

Thanks Mike. This thing looks relatively new, I think it's more to the tune of crappy aftermarket again. Sure am getting tired of it. Of course German isn't available for a '68 anymore so I should be thankful?

Bookwus · Post by **Bookwus** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 2:13 am

Hiya Ham,

Oh geez, I know that tune.

When I had to work on another Bus ignition I was faced with buying an aftermarket replacement keylock. Really pitiful quality. I declined that alternative and opted to buy an OEM keylock out of a boneyard. Those things were really well built. Again, a little cleaning and lubrication and we were back to nearly new. Really made me appreciate original quality.

Have you thought about going that route?

hambone · Post by **hambone** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 1:11 pm

Not a bad idea. Unfortunately you never know the life it had, that's a high use part. We'll see how this holds up for now.

ruckman101 · Post by **ruckman101** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 10:32 pm

I can vouch for Tri-Flow, good stuff.

neal

Bookwus · Post by **Bookwus** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 11:26 pm

Hiya Neal,

ruckman101 wrote:I can vouch for Tri-Flow, good stuff.

Yeah! And it smells like bananas!

Post by **Amskeptic** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:09 pm

hambone wrote:Not a bad idea. Unfortunately you never know the life it had, that's a high use part. We'll see how this holds up for now.

Yaah, well ya never know the life the new ones have had just going down the assembly line. . . and surviving the new age of bone-jarring shipping violence. I vote for the old, cleaned, lubricated, installed with loving care.
Colin

spiffy · Post by **spiffy** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:58 am

hambone wrote:Thanks Mike. This thing looks relatively new, I think it's more to the tune of crappy aftermarket again. Sure am getting tired of it. Of course German isn't available for a '68 anymore so I should be thankful?

Wolfsburg West has some decent reproductions. I got a new one for the '67 from CIP1, it was a nice fit, hopefully it lasts.....

Itinerant Air-Cooled

Itinerant Air-Cooled

'68 Beetle Ignition Switch

'68 Beetle Ignition Switch