Ok I got 99% of the dash out of my buick but I can't get the wiper switch or the ignition switch out. I read an old thread that said you need the key and stick a paper clip in a hole to get the ignition switch out??? Well I don't have a key for it and I'm a little confused one where to put the paperclip in... I also need to take the wiper switch out but it looks like there is a key slot in it but I could have sworn that you can't put a key in it. It looks like it's blocked off. Anyway if anyone could help me out a little that would be great. And a little advise, this could have all been avoided if whoever owned my car before me didn't wrap the fuses in foil... It fried a bunch of wires, which is why I have to pull the dash.
Don't know if this applies, but my 56 Buick, the whole dash top comes off...there's a few screws underneath the front lip, and about 4 bolts on the windshield side, under the lower windshield trim. You can then dive right in from the top... The hole for the paperclip in the ignition should be obvious... there should be only one small hole on the front of the key part that turns, in the front, other than the key slot. And I've removed my wiper switch, but that was ten years ago, and I can't remember... you really need to get yourself a shop manual, either a original or a repop. Probably be one of the best purchases you can make when working on an old beast like that. Good luck!
Wiper switch most likely will have an allen head set screw holding it on, usually on the bottom of the switch...most GM's are that way...but I cannot say for sure Buick is the same. The ignition will have a small hole alongside where the key goes into it...I'm not sure you'll be able to turn the unit, and slide it out, without a key however...I've always had keys...you need to turn it like you are starting it, insert the pin or paper clip and continue turning...it should simply slide out...then you can take the "nut" off it that holds the whole unit onto the dash. R-
take the door lock out and have a key made from the little code of numbers on the door lock that will fit your igniton, and then you will have a key, the door, igniton is the same key the glove box, trunk are the same key, http://www.selectric.org/55chevy/locks/remove.gif
Cool, thank you guys so much! I'll have to look again but I don't think my ignition is like the one in the picture. I didn't see a hole in it like the one in the picture. But this has got to be it though because I've tried everything I can think of to get these damn things out. Oh and Oscar73 I did take the top of the dash out but I still can't get to everything I have to replace. The harness is pretty fried so I pretty much have to run all/most new wire's.
The Jalopy Journal
