Key buzzer switch reviews?

[Gary S.]

With reference to the 1972 Tilt/tele key buzzer switch located in the steering column, it appears that the T/T column now has this switch available in reproduction. Mine has been repaired a couple of times but it is acting up again - open the door without the key and the buzzer goes off - so now it is time to replace it. So, has anyone bought one of these and did it work as advertised?

two examples - there are others but I suspect only one company is repro-ing them.

https://www.zip-corvette.com/69-76-w-tele-key-warning-buzzer-switch.html

https://www.corvettecentral.com/69-7...-column-593064

Gary Schisler

[Mark E.]

Re: Key buzzer switch reviews?

open the door with the key and the buzzer goes off

Gary Schisler

Isn't this how it should work?

[Gary S.]

Re: Key buzzer switch reviews?

Uhm, yes of course. Typo "without" should be there.

Fixed.

[Mark E.]

Re: Key buzzer switch reviews?

You may have done this, but for the benefit of others: Be sure to troubleshoot the circuit and buzzer (in the horn relay) to diagnose problem.

[Gary S.]

Re: Key buzzer switch reviews?

I accidentally deleted my reply to Mark so I will resurrect it to the best of my ability (sometimes I hate my tablet)

Mark, this is one of the times where an attempt at brevity actually causes confusion and a longer post. Here goes - When I first got the car 17-18 years ago, the key buzzer went off anytime the door was opened. After consulting with Jim Shea on the "other" Corvette forum, we determined that my steering column switch was probably the culprit. I took the column apart and found that the plastic housing was broken. I found an NOS unit, installed it and all was good for a number of years. A couple of years ago, the buzzer started going off again without the key anytime the door was opened. I found that the plastic housing of the key buzzer switch had failed and I tried repairing it with a two part epoxy. That lasted weeks and no more. Since the key buzzer worked exactly as it should and exactly as the TIM&JG said it should, all of the other components should be functioning properly - the steering column switch, the buzzer itself, the door switch and a relay (?).

So, I am back to my original question. Is there any experience here with the repro switch?

Thank you as always.

Gary

[Russ S.]

Re: Key buzzer switch reviews?

I have had the exact experience. What I wonder is why these switches keep malfunctioning shortly after being replaced.

Mark, this is one of the times where an attempt at brevity actually causes confusion and a longer post. Here goes - When I first got the car 17-18 years ago, the key buzzer went off anytime the door was opened. After consulting with Jim Shea on the "other" Corvette forum, we determined that my steering column switch was probably the culprit. I took the column apart and found that the plastic housing was broken. I found an NOS unit, installed it and all was good for a number of years. A couple of years ago, the buzzer started going off again without the key anytime the door was opened. I found that the plastic housing of the key buzzer switch had failed and I tried repairing it with a two part epoxy. That lasted weeks and no more. Since the key buzzer worked exactly as it should and exactly as the TIM&JG said it should, all of the other components should be functioning properly - the steering column switch, the buzzer itself, the door switch and a relay (?).

So, I am back to my original question. Is there any experience here with the repro switch?

Thank you as always.

Gary[/QUOTE]

[Bill L.]

Re: Key buzzer switch reviews?

I am just going to throw this out there. The small white button that goes in and out with the key in the ignition cylinder can jamb up or not work as easily as it should. This button is what activates the switch with the key inserted.

I had a problem with mine and it ended up being the small white button jamming up in the cylinder. The buzzer would still go off even with the key removed with the door open. Disassembled the cylinder, cleaned it up so the white button moved freely and problem solved.

My point is that maybe the white button is somehow causing the switch to fail prematurely or is not fully retracting with the key removed. Just a thought.

My column switch was also bad in m y 70 and I replaced the switch with an NOS switch back in 2006 or so. So far so good. Mine is T/T too.

Kind Regards,


Bill

[Russ S.]

Re: Key buzzer switch reviews?

Thanks Bill. I will pay more attention to the button.

[Gary S.]

Re: Key buzzer switch reviews?

When my key switch first failed, and I was replacing it, I took my lock cylinder out and I cleaned it with either brake cleaner or carb cleaner. Once that was done, I put drops of oil anywhere I saw a spring or some movement in the cylinder. In addition, I recall putting drops of oil on the key "peaks and valleys" (surely there is a proper name for those?) and inserted the key into the cylinder several times as well as actuating the ignition mechanism. I have no idea if my 10-12 years of useful life from my NOS key switch is normal or not. I also think that, since this was an NOS piece, the plastic may have been just as brittle as the supposedly original one in the steering column.

I guess I will buy one and then report on its functionality. Only time will tell if it has longevity.

Gary

[Terry M.]

Re: Key buzzer switch reviews?

When my key switch first failed, and I was replacing it, I took my lock cylinder out and I cleaned it with either brake cleaner or carb cleaner. Once that was done, I put drops of oil anywhere I saw a spring or some movement in the cylinder. In addition, I recall putting drops of oil on the key "peaks and valleys" (surely there is a proper name for those?) and inserted the key into the cylinder several times as well as actuating the ignition mechanism. I have no idea if my 10-12 years of useful life from my NOS key switch is normal or not. I also think that, since this was an NOS piece, the plastic may have been just as brittle as the supposedly original one in the steering column.

I guess I will buy one and then report on its functionality. Only time will tell if it has longevity.

Gary

I doubt oil is the best lubricant to use in this situation. I know it is not the best product to use on keys or locks. The oil will collect dust, dirt and debris and eventually harm the operation of the moving parts.
For keys and most locks the best product to use is powdered graphite. This is sometimes available as an aerosol spray, but one has to be careful of the liquid carrier that is used in these sprays. That carrier can be damaging to some kinds of plastics. This is an unusual situation since most of these aerosol products are designed to be used on door locks which usually do not contain plastic parts.
A dry powdered graphite is available in Ace (and I suspect other) hardware stores. I would suggest judicious use of this product on the ignition lock. Use has to be careful since I expect this graphite in large quantities would work its way into the electrical contacts of the switch to the detriment of that switch's electrical operation.

[Mark E.]

Re: Key buzzer switch reviews?

Gary,

Thanks for the back story; that helps the rest of us learn from this.

[Gary S.]

Re: Key buzzer switch reviews?

Terry,
Good points. Since I have to tear into steering column when my switch gets here, I'll clean the lock cylinder up and source some graphite. I guess I'm old school as I periodically put a drop or two of light weight oil on all of home locks never worrying about collected dirt and dust.
Gary

[Mark E.]

Re: Key buzzer switch reviews?

Can someone recommend a "how to" guide to disassemble/assemble the column? Printed or video.

[Gary S.]

Re: Key buzzer switch reviews?

I have a 9 page guide written by Jim Shea who posted a lot over on the CF, written 8+ years ago. It is very clear, easy to do and is well detailed. This paper is a combination of information from the Service Manual as well as input from Jim. I recommend taking digital photos as you go through each step to avoid the "where does this go" in lieu of the "aha" moment when it all works. The only specialty tools I needed came from Advance Auto (I think) and are the steering wheel puller and the device used to compress the spring deep in the column to remove a retaining piece.

Let me know if you want a copy of this paper.

Gary

[Mark E.]

Re: Key buzzer switch reviews?

Thanks Gary. I sent a PM with my email.