I am trying to replace the ignition switch on my 92 Uno. I see from the new switch that the 2 bolts which attach the unit to the column have detachable (break off?) heads, and having removed the column shrouds, I find, of course, that the bolts attaching the existing unit have no heads with flats on. I can't think of any way to remove the old switch other than by drilling the heads off, but access is not brilliant, and there surely must be an easier way which one of you kind people can tell me about. The Haynes Manual is absolutely silent on the matter- these manuals used to be so good, but currently seem to be written by someone who has never been near the car itself! Any assistance will be very much appreciated- as usual a 15 minute job is turning into a an all day saga.

i have an autodata manual for the mk1 that lists the ignition switch procedure, would they be the same?

Jai said:

i have an autodata manual for the mk1 that lists the ignition switch procedure, would they be the same?

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Hi Jai, not sure- does it give any detail on removing the bolts?

hi mate you have to try to hacksaw blade( i use an airsaw) a groove into the top of the bolt where the snapped off bit was (a groove) and then gently tap it anticlockwise out with a fine chisel, worked for me many times,

antsuno2 said:

hi mate you have to try to hacksaw blade( i use an airsaw) a groove into the top of the bolt where the snapped off bit was (a groove) and then gently tap it anticlockwise out with a fine chisel, worked for me many times,

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Cheers, that's just the ticket!

I wish I'd replied to this earlier...

John, are you aware that the switch just unclips from the back of the ignition barrel? You just push in a small tab each side with a screwdriver; no need to change the lock. I guess it's too late for that advice now - sorry

-Alex

As Alex says, the actual switch can be removed very easily, but is it the electronic switch or ignition key barrel (with steering lock) you are trying to replace?

The ignition barrel is easy to replace if you know how. Either use the advice given by Antsuno, or removing the steering column from the car (easy, nuts and bolts stuff and takes about 10 minutes). With the steering column out, drill a hole into each bolt head. Then wedge a tang of an old type file into each bolt hole and twist - the bolts should simply screw out.

When replacing I always used normal bolts rather than the headless originals.

Hope this helps!

Should you replace the switch only, be careful as:
a) the plastic tabs are easy to break (how do I know?), and
b) there are at least two types of the switch (one with protruding nipple - older and a flat one - newer) which are not interchangeable.