ignition switch - turns on in off position??

[sexual_sushi]

hi all, I have a 74 260z, for the last year or 2 the ignition switch has been a lil faulty, if i turned the key right as far as it goes it wouldnt start, i would have to hold it half way after the spring return bit to kick it over. BUT now there is a new problem...

 

when the key is in the off position, there is still power (ie the electric fan will kick in, reverse lights come on etc). when you turn it to the off position u can here the solenoid kcik in for half a second but not enought to start the car, but if i quickly turn the key from on to off the car will keep on running.

 

if it is on the next click up from off, the fan and reverse lights etc will turn off. problem with this is u cant take the key out in this position.

 

so i did the obvious, tried a different ignition swtich (just the actual switch itself, the back part of the switch) and it still did the same thing so i figure it is unlikely that both switches have the same problem.

 

so wat do you think i should try next? wanted to get some advice as it gets dark here quite quickly now and I dont have alot of time after work to fiddle around.

 

i was thinking maybe it is an exposed wire? anyother ideas on what i can check?

[Zedman240®]

Its probably the little tongue that comes from the back of the ignition lock into the switch. It may be twisted/ready to break off. I get a lot of crummydores with that problem. You may have to replace the ignition lock.

[Scoota G]

I had a similar problem with my switch got another one and it did the same thing.

So i pulled one apart but you have to be cafeful when you do this as there are three springs inside as well as two plates and three bearings ( from memory ) and you need to make sure you put them back in sequence.

Video of the operation can help if you get lost.

When you are sure you are right with the sequence clean the brass plates rub with 400 wet and dry used wet to clean up any dags and then polish them. Also check if the plates are bent.

There are also a number of contacts on the back of the ignition switch which need to be cleaned as well.

Then the whole switch can do with a smear of light grease, the hard part is getting it back togeather properly. You can see the little clips that hold it togeather, be cafeful with these as they can break easy.

The problem is that contacts on the back are touching when they should not be causing some of the electrics to activate.