The Ford Barn

Maclab58 · 10-12-2017, 02:43 AM

I am having an intermittent problem with pop out the switch on my 31 cabriolet. Recently I began to have issues when putting the key in the ignition seems like Ian's are falling down and I cannot put the key all the way in the switch. I can use a dental instrument and lift up The pins and then slide the key in. I have use graphite spray in the keyhole without much success. Any suggestions? I have never taken one of these apart and I would like to preserve this one as it is original To the car.

Mike Peters · 10-12-2017, 06:48 AM

Suggest you take the switch out and send it to Dick Crabtree. Dick rebuilt a couple popouts and door locks for me. Wonderful work and a great guy to deal with. Lives in South Dakota. 605-487-7229.

larrys40 · 10-12-2017, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Peters

Suggest you take the switch out and send it to Dick Crabtree. Dick rebuilt a couple popouts and door locks for me. Wonderful work and a great guy to deal with. Lives in South Dakota. 605-487-7229.

X2 to send to Dick Crabtree . He is the guy and he will get you fixed up
He's the best !!!
Larry Shepard

Tom Wesenberg · 10-12-2017, 07:49 AM

I've had good luck by using ATF on the key, then slide it in and out several times until it gets on the pins.
I've also had good luck using powdered graphite on my modern car when the key was hard to push in.
Don't use WD-40 on potmetal.

thespoiler · 10-12-2017, 03:35 PM

Since we are discussing pop out switches, I am building a speedster...I look at the wiring diagram and the switch is between the coil and the distributor ...I don't understand that placement...I want to put in a switch that turns everything in the car on and off and run those two to a hot wire somewhere...why won't that work?...using a 12v neg ground

cpf240 · 10-12-2017, 04:07 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by thespoiler

Since we are discussing pop out switches, I am building a speedster...I look at the wiring diagram and the switch is between the coil and the distributor ...I don't understand that placement...I want to put in a switch that turns everything in the car on and off and run those two to a hot wire somewhere...why won't that work?...using a 12v neg ground

It was done, to my understanding, so that the car would be difficult to hot-wire and steal.

To shut everything down, I'd suggest a battery disconnect switch.

frank55a · 10-13-2017, 10:54 AM

It sounds like one or more of the small springs that push the lock wafers/pins are weak or broken. It has been a while since I have had one of the locks apart. Study the drawing of the ignition lock head. You do not need to completely remove the pop out from the car, just remove the dash and the head from the dash. As long as you have the key and can unlock the pop out you can remove the locking cylinder as follows: 1) disconnect power from the battery; 2) pull dash and remove ignition switch from the dash; 3) you should find a screw on the side of the head, this screw - generally the screw has a tooth washer under it; 4) at the top of the head you will see a small hole, under this hole is a plunger that is part of the locking mechanism - use a small pin punch or finishing nail to push the plunger down; 5) the locking mechanism should now be able to be removed from the head; 6) remove the bezel from the front where the key is inserted and the lock cylinder should be able to be removed; 7) the individual pins/wafers and springs should now be able to be removed. If a spring is damaged you should be able to get new ones from a regular locksmith.

Like I said it has been a while since I have worked on one of these pop-out heads but I think I covered everything, if not I am sure I will hear about it.

Good Luck,

10-12-2017, 02:43 AM	#1
Maclab58 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Posts: 983	Pop out switch problem I am having an intermittent problem with pop out the switch on my 31 cabriolet. Recently I began to have issues when putting the key in the ignition seems like Ian's are falling down and I cannot put the key all the way in the switch. I can use a dental instrument and lift up The pins and then slide the key in. I have use graphite spray in the keyhole without much success. Any suggestions? I have never taken one of these apart and I would like to preserve this one as it is original To the car.

10-12-2017, 06:48 AM	#2
Mike Peters Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: South East Wisconsin Posts: 1,279	Re: Pop out switch problem Suggest you take the switch out and send it to Dick Crabtree. Dick rebuilt a couple popouts and door locks for me. Wonderful work and a great guy to deal with. Lives in South Dakota. 605-487-7229.

10-12-2017, 07:49 AM	#4
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Pop out switch problem I've had good luck by using ATF on the key, then slide it in and out several times until it gets on the pins. I've also had good luck using powdered graphite on my modern car when the key was hard to push in. Don't use WD-40 on potmetal.

10-12-2017, 03:35 PM	#5
thespoiler Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 24	Re: Pop out switch problem Since we are discussing pop out switches, I am building a speedster...I look at the wiring diagram and the switch is between the coil and the distributor ...I don't understand that placement...I want to put in a switch that turns everything in the car on and off and run those two to a hot wire somewhere...why won't that work?...using a 12v neg ground __________________ "Half the people you meet are below average".

10-13-2017, 10:54 AM	#7
frank55a Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 934	Re: Pop out switch problem It sounds like one or more of the small springs that push the lock wafers/pins are weak or broken. It has been a while since I have had one of the locks apart. Study the drawing of the ignition lock head. You do not need to completely remove the pop out from the car, just remove the dash and the head from the dash. As long as you have the key and can unlock the pop out you can remove the locking cylinder as follows: 1) disconnect power from the battery; 2) pull dash and remove ignition switch from the dash; 3) you should find a screw on the side of the head, this screw - generally the screw has a tooth washer under it; 4) at the top of the head you will see a small hole, under this hole is a plunger that is part of the locking mechanism - use a small pin punch or finishing nail to push the plunger down; 5) the locking mechanism should now be able to be removed from the head; 6) remove the bezel from the front where the key is inserted and the lock cylinder should be able to be removed; 7) the individual pins/wafers and springs should now be able to be removed. If a spring is damaged you should be able to get new ones from a regular locksmith. Like I said it has been a while since I have worked on one of these pop-out heads but I think I covered everything, if not I am sure I will hear about it. Good Luck,