348 electrics

Here is a picture of a 348 ignition switch. The tumbler section (with the key in it) and the electrical section are screwed together, and linked with a tab. If you spray contact cleaner into the key slot in the tumbler section, none of it will get into the electrical section, so it will have no effect on an electrical problem.

The electrical portion of the switch is rivited together, you may be able to physically clean and lube the contacts by drilling out the rivits and disassembling it. I haven't done it, so I don't know for certain.

Your symptoms could indicate a problem inside the switch, or a bad connector in the wiring, or???? You need to do some testing with a circuit tester before condemning the switch.

Spraying contact cleaner onto the fuse box would no effect, in my opinion.
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Miltonian, does this picture show the ignition/key light? Can he improve that connection with little fuss?
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Are we talking about the alternator warning light (picture of a battery)? Or some other light? Is there an actual starting/cranking problem, or just a fluke with the light? I based my response upon the question about spraying lubricant into the switch, which I don't think would help any problem, unless the tumblers are sticking, which wouldn't be an electrical problem.

By the way, if you spray a product like Liquid Wrench into the key slot, all you are doing is washing lubricant OUT of the switch, which isn't going to help. The only thing that should be sprayed into the key slot is actual lock lubricant. And that won't help an electrical problem.

Phil, if your battery light isn't functioning correctly all the time, you should get an output reading from your alternator, and make sure the alternator is properly grounded.

ND, I took that picture a long time ago, but I think you are correct that the item you are indicating is the light for the ignition switch. That light is on a timer, isn't it? And it's quite dim, you can barely see it at any time.

 

You're talking about the circular light around the key-hole, yes?