ignition difficulty on my 1990 miata

> I have broken a key off in the ignition of my '90 Miata and had a
> locksmith attempt to get it out, no luck, does anyone know of a link
> that could show me how to remove the ignition switch so I can get it
> replaced with a new one.. Thanks for the help..> Trent, Waco, Texas

The only link on the miata.net garage section is for the M2, which is
strange. They cover almost everything.

It is a pretty easy job except that the ignition switch assembly is held
on with two self-shearing bolts for security. When you get the plastic
parts off of the steering column area, you will see two cone-shaped bolt
heads securing the assembly.
It will be obvious since this is where your key goes in.

These will need to be notched to take a screwdriver before they can be
removed, I used a dremel tool and a couple of cutting wheels.

Assuming that you have a new lock assembly, it will come with two new
bolts that you tighten until the heads tear off. When I did the
replacements, I put used assemblies in, so I had to re-use the screws
that I had notched.
They have held securely and nobody has stolen the cars yet. Someone else
here just used allen head bolts. I will probably go that route next time.

HTH,

Pat

geeze! I won't argue that there may be some specialty lubricants for this
application but this sort of knee jerk 'WD-40 turns gummy' statement seems
inappropriate. I've used WD a million times and although I know what the
designation stands for, I also know that it has decent lubrication
properties if not for the long term, at the very least, for the medium term.
I've also never seen it term 'gummy'. It has solved ignition switch problems
for me more than once.

Chris
99BBB

"Lanny Chambers" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> "J Brockley" > wrote:
>
>> Shot of WD-40 to free up tumblers should do it.
>
> Never, never squirt WD-40 into a lock. "WD" stands for "water
> displacement." It is not a lubricant, and will turn gummy and attract
> dirt. Use Dri-Slide or Lock-Eze, graphite suspended in a volatile
> penetrating solvent.
>
> --
> Lanny Chambers
> '94C, St. Louis
> http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html

Chris D'Agnolo wrote:
> geeze! I won't argue that there may be some specialty lubricants for this
> application but this sort of knee jerk 'WD-40 turns gummy' statement seems
> inappropriate. I've used WD a million times and although I know what the
> designation stands for, I also know that it has decent lubrication
> properties if not for the long term, at the very least, for the medium term.
> I've also never seen it term 'gummy'. It has solved ignition switch problems
> for me more than once.
>
> Chris
> 99BBB


Aren't WD-40, a roll of duct tape, and a set of vise grips the only
tools that one needs in a toolbox? ;-)

Pat

not vice grips, two pairs of pliers. with two pairs of pliers you can fix
anything!

"pws" > wrote in message
...
> Chris D'Agnolo wrote:
>> geeze! I won't argue that there may be some specialty lubricants for
>> this application but this sort of knee jerk 'WD-40 turns gummy' statement
>> seems inappropriate. I've used WD a million times and although I know
>> what the designation stands for, I also know that it has decent
>> lubrication properties if not for the long term, at the very least, for
>> the medium term. I've also never seen it term 'gummy'. It has solved
>> ignition switch problems for me more than once.
>>
>> Chris
>> 99BBB
>
>
> Aren't WD-40, a roll of duct tape, and a set of vise grips the only tools
> that one needs in a toolbox? ;-)
>
> Pat

that is really interesting. makes sense and clears up some of the myths i
seem to have learned as fact.

"Dano" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> Here is a quote off of the Mercedes newsgroup on the same topic:
>
> "I am a locksmith and have seen many locks apart and on the bench.
>
> A couple of observations. First WD40 is mostly solvent and does not
> turn to
> a hard gum.
>
> Graphite works great as a lock lubricant, but if you apply it to a lock
> that
> has grease inside, you get carbon impacted grease that can be a
> mechanical
> problem as it takes up space that the tumblers need to wiggle and
> slide.
>
> The big advantage to WD40 is that it is cheap and everyone seems to
> have a
> can or two around the house. If the lock is gummy, flushing with WD40
> until
> the outflow runs clear will not hurt anything. Once the solvent
> evaporates
> then a puff or two of powdered graphite is great.
>
> The real gummy stuff are products like 3 in One oil they will suck up
> dust
> and then dry to a sticky goo."
>
>
> Chris D'Agnolo wrote:
>> Don't give up that easy! I've had success with several car ignition
>> switches
>> by spraying lubricants into the keyhole. White lithium spray grease might
>> work nice but could be a bit messy in your pocket. WD-40 or a silicone
>> spray
>> lube will usually work although you may have to redo it a couple of time
>> a
>> year. Give it a shot, changing the ignition never sounds like a good idea
>> to
>> me unless all else fails!
>>
>> Chris
>> 99BBB
>>
>> "Frank Berger" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> >
>> > "Trent" > wrote in message
>> > oups.com...
>> >> I just bought a 1990 Miata and we are having problems with the
>> >> ignition key not wanting to turn over, the key acts like it's not the
>> >> right key, if you jiggle the key long enough, it will eventually turn
>> >> over...does anyone have any suggestion on how to loosen up the
>> >> ignition
>> >> switch... thanks for any help... Trent
>> >>
>> >
>> > Amazing. That problem just started occuring on my '96. I figure we'll
>> > need a new ignition switch.
>> >
>

Christopher Muto wrote:
> not vice grips, two pairs of pliers. with two pairs of pliers you can fix
> anything!


True, and I have actually used vise grips without causing damage.

Give me two pair of pliers and I can rip any car part to shreds....Then
I can fix it with the duct tape and JB Weld, which I left off the first
list.

So, for a toolbox:

2 pair of pliers
1 roll of duct tape
1 can of WD-40
JB Weld Resin and Activator

That should cover 99.9% or more of any car repairs....

Pat

But Pat !!!!

Don't forget the BFH for your toolbox.

Bruce Bing '03 LS

The BFH is the most important of all! It even works with a mule!
"BRUCE HASKIN" > wrote in message
...
> But Pat !!!!
>
> Don't forget the BFH for your toolbox.
>
> Bruce Bing '03 LS
>

BRUCE HASKIN wrote:
> But Pat !!!!
>
> Don't forget the BFH for your toolbox.
>
> Bruce Bing '03 LS


Big Fluffy Hamster? Please elaborate on the use of such a creature in a
toolbox. :-)

Pat

pws wrote:
> Christopher Muto wrote:
>
>> not vice grips, two pairs of pliers. with two pairs of pliers you can
>> fix anything!
>
>
>
> True, and I have actually used vise grips without causing damage.
>
> Give me two pair of pliers and I can rip any car part to shreds....Then
> I can fix it with the duct tape and JB Weld, which I left off the first
> list.
>
> So, for a toolbox:
>
> 2 pair of pliers
> 1 roll of duct tape
> 1 can of WD-40
> JB Weld Resin and Activator
>
> That should cover 99.9% or more of any car repairs....
>
> Pat

No toolbox is complete without an assortment of cardboard wedges.