IGNITION STARTER SWITCH IN TOP OF COLUMN?

CODRUT

MEMBER
1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE
4.6L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
130,000 MILES

I WANT TO REPLACE THE IGNITION STARTER SWITCH AND I HAVE QUESTIONS ON HOW TO ADJUST CORRECTLY SO THE LIGHTS ON DASH DO NOT GO OFF WHEN I TRY TO CRANK

Wednesday, December 31st, 2025 AT 11:53 AM

3 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,860 POSTS

Yep, so you are one tooth off to far forward, back it off a tooth and you should be good to go. If that is okay, you may need to adjust the ignition switch itself which is further down the column, here is what I am talking about. Please upload a short video in your response of the problem, so I can see what's going on Check out the images (below).

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Thursday, January 1st, 2026 AT 1:24 PM

CODRUT

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thank you for your quick reply, now I have the new switch(1) and I also did some research and find out that the new switch have to be installed with the green plastic pin in, key in run position when the switch is inserted in the L rod(3) and only then tighten the two screws that attach to the column. Now my question is how do I know if I can slide either the rod or the whole switch in the right position-towards the front of the car or against the steering wheel? Before I have to remove the green plastic pin?

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Thursday, January 1st, 2026 AT 3:54 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,860 POSTS

The rod should not slide back and forth while in the run position, the ignition switch is the part you adjust but with the green stopper pin just install the switch and remove the pin and the system should be good to go. Let me know what happens please, Ken

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Friday, January 2nd, 2026 AT 10:23 AM