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Home › Chevrolet › 2004 › Impala SS › Repair and Diagnosis › Electrical › Instrument Panel System Displays, Gauges And Console › Repair Instructions › Ignition Switch Replacement › Removal Procedure

Removal Procedure

  1. Disconnect the battery ground cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnect/Connect Procedure in Engine Electrical.
  2. Remove the steering column filler panel. Refer to Steering Column Filler Replacement .
  3. Remove the knee bolster bracket. Refer to Knee Bolster Bracket Replacement - Left .
  4. Remove the instrument panel (I/P) cluster trim plate. Refer to Trim Plate Bezel Replacement - Instrument Panel (I/P) Cluster (Impala)  or Trim Plate Bezel Replacement - Instrument Panel (I/P) Cluster (Monte Carlo) .
  5. Remove the ignition switch bolts.
    6. Fig 1: Ignition Switch Bolts
    GM519619Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  6. Lower the ignition switch away from the instrument carrier.
  7. Insert the key into the ignition lock cylinder. Turn the key to the ON/RUN position.
  8. Depress the retainer to release the transaxle park/lock cable. Remove the park/lock cable from the ignition switch by pulling on the cable.
    9. IMPORTANT: You cannot remove the Passlock™ electrical connector until the lock cylinder is removed.
  9. Depress and hold the detent on the bottom of the ignition switch in order to release the ignition lock cylinder. Remove the ignition lock cylinder with the key.
  10. Disconnect the Passlock™ electrical connector.
  11. Disconnect the electrical connectors.
    12. Fig 2: Disconnecting Electrical Connectors
    GM519487Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  12. Use the following procedure if the ignition switch lock cylinder is seized or won't rotate:
    1. Protect the immediate work area with suitable material such as clean shop towels or a clean fender cover.
    2. Locate the surface for the release button (2) for the ignition switch lock cylinder on the plastic ignition switch housing. Center punch a location (1) on the rib approximately 3/8 inch reward, toward the key entry end, from the cylinder release button.
    3. Carefully drill a pilot hole through the plastic housing with a 1/8-inch drill bit.
    4. Using a 9/32-inch drill bit, carefully drill a larger hole at the pilot location, and slightly into the surface of the ignition switch lock cylinder, to break the release button retaining spring.
    5. Remove portions of the broken spring from the hole using a small suitable tool.
    6. Grasp the ignition switch lock cylinder and remove the cylinder from the switch housing.
    7. Remove any plastic flash from the drilling operation, and using compressed air blow out the ignition switch assembly.
    8. Follow service manual procedures when cylinder coding is required. Refer to Key and Lock Cylinder Coding in General Information.
      9. Fig 3: Release Button & Punch Location On Plastic Ignition Switch Housing
      GM762724Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
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