Ignition key switch

[Chuck Watson]

Does anyone know where you can find the little piece that causes the buzzer to come on (in a 1969) when you leave the key in the ignition and have the door open? My buzzer comes on even after I take the key out of the ignition until I close the door. I can't find it in the assembly manual. Is there anywhere you can find this?
Any help would be appreciated.

[Joe L.]

Re: Ignition key switch

Chuck----

The key warning buzzer switch is located within the steering column and was supplied to St. Louis as part of that assembly. That's why it's not shown in the AIM. You will find it, though, in your Chevrolet Chassis Service Manual in the steering column service section.

If you have a non-tilt/tele column, the switch is still available from GM under GM #7804414. If you have a tilt/tele column, though, the switch is GM-discontinued and hard to locate.

The ignition key warning buzzer, itself, for a 1969 is part of the horn relay located under the hood on the left side . This relay is currently still available from GM under GM #12339248, but its configuration and appearance differs a bit from the original piece. It's perfectly functional, though.

[Jack H.]

Hah! A Rare One....

that old Joe misses. You won't see that very often, folks--Mr. Lucia is usually rock solid!

The point here is that the buzzer actually works and keeps on working after the key is withdrawn. That says you probably do NOT have a key minder switch or electrical problem!

The circuit is:

B+ (native to the always hot horn relay) through the engine wiring harness into the cabin, to the column, up to the key minder warning switch in the column AND to the door ajar switch to ground. So, it takes two things to happen to complete the horn relay buzzer circuit to ground: (1) the key must be left in the ignition switch and (2) the door has to be opened.

The fact that the buzzer is running constantly says the key minder switch is closed even with the key removed.... This typically happens when the counter weight leaf spring in the ignition switch housing gets worn or 'tuckered' out.

Test my hypothesis by removing the key and gently 'thumping' on the steering column. If the buzer shuts down or turns off intermittently with the vibration of thumping the column, it's most likely time to remove the ignition lock assy.

With the lock assy out of the column, insert and remove the key and watch the tiny black 'probe' extend and retract from the side of the switch barrel. Its the gossamer spring force of the key minder switch in the column that forces this probe up after key removal. Any sticking action or wear on the probe tip and you'll wind up with the symptoms described (constant buzzer).

In the meantime, to prevent wear out of the buzzer section of what might be a rare, hard to replace horn relay, unplug it. You should find a single wire plugged into the bottom side of the horn relay that's black/pink. This is the trigger lead to the keyminder switch. Gently pull it off the underside of the horn relay and let it 'float'. You'll save the life of the buzzer section of your horn relay and you can always re-connect it for test or show! Good luck...

[Peter L.]

Re: Hah! A Rare One....

Good technical contribution, poor title!