I have a 96' Cavalier, automatic, with the 2.2. I use just to drive back and forth to the fire department, which I only work every 3rd day(24 hours on, and 48 off). The lil car has been absolutely great, until recently. I've had to replace the front struts, CV joints, pads, and rotors, no biggie though, normal maintenance for a car with 85K miles on it. Well, here the past few weeks, the car has been having intermittent starting problems. The car turns over fine, but will not fire on occasion. I took it to my mechanic, just for him to diagnose it, and he found it to be a faulty ignition switch. Well, while I was there, he informed me of a recall on j-bodies, having to do with adding a relay to the igniton switch, due to there being a fire hazard, because too much voltage was being sent throught he switch itself. Well, I went back and picked the car up, as I do all my own work, and dropped it off at my local Chevy dealership to have 3 different recalls done. They were for the relay, something to do with a rack and pinion bearing, and a reprogram for the airbag.

Anyways, didn't mean to get off the subject there. What I was wondering is, what all is involved in swapping out the igniton switches on these lil cars? Is it very involved? Is it something I could do tomorrow while at work at the fire hall?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Looking at the Haynes manual it doesn't appear to be that complicated.

1. Disable the airbag system
2. Remove the tilt lever, if equipped.
3. Remove the upper and lower steering column covers
4. Remove the ignition switch retaining screws
5. Detach the ignition switch from the steering column housing assembly and unplug the electrical connectors
6. Installation is in reverse order.

exactly what I needed!! Thanks a ton!

You are welcome. Glad I could help.

theres a special tool you need to get it off. atleast thats what i was told. but yea like braxas said, just take off the steering column cover and its right there