Reason to Replace?
When ignition switches start to go, there are a ton of different symptoms. In my case, my switch would not recognize when I pulled my key out of the ignition. It would keep playing "la cucaracha" and the radio would stay on even after i pulled my key out. Thanks to the advice from fellow vortexers, I realized that I only needed to replace the switch and not the ignition lock cylinder. phew...

Where to Buy?
I bought mine for $8 with free shipping from http://www.mjmautohaus.com. It came in about 2 days! I'm not sure if this is OEM, but it will probably last me long enough.

Tools Needed
10mm wrench for the battery terminal
(2) 13mm wrenches for the joint
Phillips screwdriver
**Small phillips screwdriver** This is very important!!! It needs to be a phillips with a very thin and long shaft (try an eyeglass repair kit)

Procedure

1) Make sure that you have your radio codes for your stock stereo or that you write down all of your preset stations and sound settings.

2) Remove the negative battery terminal since you'll be working in the airbag area.

3) Remove the upper and lower steering column covers (two screws)

4) Remove the lower foot panels (3 total)

5) Remove the knee panel (remove the 5 screws at the bottom and pull straight down

6) Unplug all (8?) wire connectors to the steering column

7) Use vise grips to unscrew the bronze screw since the screw head is smooth

8) Stick your head into the footwell and check out that U-joint. First mark off the position of the shaft relative to the U-joint. This will ensure that everything is aligned when you re-assemble. I used whiteout to mark it in two spots. Then use the a 13mm wrench on the nut and another 13mm wrench on the bolt. You need to remove the bolt COMPLETELY in order to pull the column out.

9) Okay! Use the steering wheel to pull out the column! Watch out for little spring that will drop when you pull the column out of the U-joint

10) So this is the trickiest part. To remove the ignition switch you need that small phillips screwdriver. Based on previous posts, I didn't know how difficult this was going to be. Apparently, the only thing that will work is a screw driver from like an eyeglass/jewelers kit. None of my "small" screwdrivers fit!! I started to panic because this is my only car and I had no means to drive myself to the store to get the proper tool. I tried bending a screwdriver, and that didn't work. I DID have a jewelers flathead screwdriver. Desparate times call for desperate measures. I used the flathead and the vice grips to make myself a nice ghetto tool to get the screw out.

11) Just swap out the switches. My old switch had a crack in the housing which might have been causing my problems. Old is on the left, new is on the right

12) Just like the Bentley manual always says, installation is the reverse of removal. Some tips:

When installing the column back to the U-joint, don't forget to put that spring back in. When you put the bolt back in, take note that the steering column has a notch in it for this bolt, so you might need to slide the column either out or in to get it to line up.

13) Once everything is reinstalled, connect the negative battery terminal , and be prepared for the alarm to set off. Stick the key into the ignition and switch it to accessory 2 mode to let the engine recalibrate for about 1 minute. Fire her up and let her idle for 5 minutes to let the ECU stabilize.

Ta DA. That's it!! You're done!

http://video.google.com/videop...dex=1

x2. Going to do mine when the new one gets here. I've already bookmarked at least three DIY's for this

`rayray086

http://www.cabby-info.com/index.html

Quote, originally posted by Dutchsider »

new ignition switch ordered from MJM earlier today. This will be happening soon

We appreciate the order.

Your best online source for discounts on OEM and MAINTENANCE parts, too!

Our Vortex feedback is HERE and HERE | ------> AIM & YIM : mjmautohaus

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BBQmotorsports - BUBENGROPEN - LOWERED CARS SAVE GAS! my DIY page -

Quote, originally posted by Dutchsider »

new ignition switch ordered from MJM earlier today. This will be happening soon

+1

I like this method more than the one that was posted a few weeks ago.

Does anyone know the size and thread pitch of the bronze smooth screw? I'm just gonna get a flathead of phillips to replace it.

Modified by VertigoGTI at 2:39 PM 9-20-2007

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turns out I didn't need too oh well,

that steering knuckle realignment is a bitch

Oh well, at least you weren't in a situation where you HAD to do it. It really sucks on a 103° day and you can't start your car until the interior cools down.

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Other than that, it's pretty simple. No more finding my ignition's "G-spot"

03 Jetta GLI - No CEL since 3/16/09

-lie on you back in the footwell w/ your arse on the door scuff plate.
-with your left hand, control the steering wheel
-with your right hand, line up the U-joint and make sure the spline goes in straight.

In my opinion, the hardest part about this repair is dealing with that one screw.

Gti - My toy

mk2 td build

The reason why I pulled off the knee panel is because it's really hard to pull out the connectors in such a tight space. The connectors on my car were pretty much sandwiched between the steering column and knee panel.

You don't NEED to remove the panel, but it does make things easier to access.

Anyone have a picture of the assembled footwells?

EDIT: N/M, I got it. I just needed to step away from it for a few minutes..

Modified by VertigoGTI at 6:33 PM 10-9-2007

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i followed this to a tee, but now my jetta will not idle any suggestions? what have i done wrong by the way the diy was super helpful, thank for the post!!!

Vortex Transaction History

Take your throttle body of and clean it with some tb cleaner that **** is probably gross if you never done so, that happened to me last year everytime I got my car back from the transmission shop til one day I decided to clean the throttle body and its been fine ever since.

And good DIY

Modified by scruffy923 at 6:25 PM 10-16-2007

I'm planning on doing my timing chains sometime soon...I'll also make a DIY for that