Hard to start! Not starting!

mike667 · Poncho Master!

Hard to start! Not starting!

59poncho · Poncho Master!

it might even be the ignition switch itself.Mine was doing that once in awhile and i think its just a loose wire.Gave it a little hit and it works fine, maybe just a ground in the switch itself. Reach under and give it a little wiggle and see what happens.

mike667 · Poncho Master!

I had a feeling it could be the starter or ignition, Ill give that a try later and see how it goes.

Ghost Post · Poncho Master!

Do the headlights even come on?.

If they do and they're strong, pull the plug off the back of the swith and jump the connections of the plug to make sure all's working Ok and if the switch is the problem..

If the switch is bad consider yourself lucky your Riv's a '68 and not '69 as the dash switch is an easy job compared to the '69 column switches!.

mike667 · Poncho Master!

Okay, I tried to get my hand under there, but couldn't I would have to unscrew some things, because its blocked off, I am not able to reach it. I tried several other times, but The key is now even harder to get in, its like its struggling to turn, its hard to turn the key. Nothing comes on. How would I know for sure if its the switch? where would I get one?

1964Canso · Guru

Going by a past bad experience,I would disconect the battery asap.Had an ign. problem a while back,and had shorted out frying wires under the dash,not good.I'm not saying this would happen,but better to be safe I think till your sure.Although it sounds like the ign. switch to me.you should still be able to buy the switch itself.anyone else??????

mike667 · Poncho Master!

I think its the ignition switch, It never felt like that inserting and turning the key before. I know my battery is almost gone as well. But I may have my friend come down take a look before I order one. The next question is whats the difference between auction 1 and 2, auction 2 looks like its a bigger ignition switch, is there a difference? and the price is okay too for auction 1.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/NEW-1968-Buick-Riviera-Ignition-Switch-Lock_W0QQitemZ4592042991QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

http://cgi.ebay.ca/1968-Buick-Electra-225-Riviera-Skylark-Ignition-Switch_W0QQitemZ280276848729QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

-- Edited by SD 396 at 17:36, 2008-10-26

Ghost Post · Poncho Master!

Good advice on disconnecting in case it shorts!.

To test all else is Ok and the switch bad, isolate it..
Get your eyeballs and a light under the dash and you'll see the clips you need to pop off the back of the switch using a small flat screwdriver..

When you get it off and w/ good battery power hooked up, grab a couple paperclips or short pieces of wire bared on the ends and w/ one, jump power from the supply wire (usually the most centre) to the outboard connections until you identify the starter and ignition connections..
Watch the dash to see which one turns the ignition lamp on and leave that one in..
Then jump the starter connection for the moment it needs to start..

Switches should fit from other models than Rivs and it shouldn't be too hard to source or find one..

Good luck!

SD 396 · Poncho Master!

The first auction is the ignition tumbler assembly only. The second auction is for the switch and the tumbler assembly.
You may want to remove your tumbler before your ignition doesn't turn any more. If it gets stuck and you can't turn it you won't get the switch out of the dash.

mike667 · Poncho Master!

So how do I know which one I need, what if its auction number 1. The car use to start, it was only up until now that they key is not turning properly

1964Canso · Guru

Disc the + on the battery anyways
what 396 said is correct also,
#1 is the tumbler
#2 is the whole set up
price for both is probubly within reason,and as stated you may not get the old tumbler out now.Me,I get the whole setup for another 20$
Did u try your auto prts store?probubly get you one fairky quickly/overnight.
my .02.

-- Edited by 1964Canso at 19:28, 2008-10-26

-- Edited by 1964Canso at 19:30, 2008-10-26

mike667 · Poncho Master!

So I will probably get the whole set up.
Another problem now. It doesn't turn at all anymore.

1965CS · Guru

I 2nd that about buying the entire unit. You will have to turn the existing key in order to remove it. There should be a small hole in the tumbler face to insert a thin rod......turn the key to ACC, push on the rod then turn the key left past ACC position and the tumbler assy will come out. Now you can get the outer ring off. If you can't turn it, you may have to break the inside tabs, hence replace the entire unit. weirdface

With any luck tho, you can keep your original key pattern afterward.

-- Edited by 1965CS at 15:04, 2008-10-28

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

wow! I didnt know that hmm

nice description

mike667 · Poncho Master!

Thanks for the help, I'll make reference to it after I get the part.

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

1965CS wrote:

Figured this out the hard way many years ago after breaking a couple of them just to get the retaining ring off.

That 65 in the Avatar "sits" nice...

1964Canso · Guru

If you buy the whole ign. setup,you shouldnt have to worry about retreving the tumbler setup out of the old one,as it should have its own key set with it.

1965CS · Guru

Some pics of what the key housing and tumbler should look like. If you look close you should see the little brass pin.

mike667 · Poncho Master!

I see what you mean, I will give it a try again tomarrow. It sucks though because I keep trying with they key in every position but no luck