katapaltes
'03 P5, '17 Miata, stock AF
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- Dallas, TX
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- 2003 Protege5
Installed my new ignition switch this afternoon and thought I'd create a new post. In the YouTube video I watched, the guy used a right-angle screwdriver because he couldn't easily use a regular or stubby screwdriver. However, if you remove the access panel on the left-hand side of the dash (hidden when door is closed), you can use a full-length Phillips head screwdriver to pretty easily loosen and tighten that one problem screw. I didn't notice whether this approach had been discussed, so wanted to share because removing that screw is the hardest part of this job if you don't go through that panel. I used trim removal tools to pop the panel so I didn't scratch it.
Starting the car was failing about 10% of the time and that's not exactly horrible, but as discussed it would only have gotten worse. And of course, I could have spent a lot of time (mine - and let's be honest, all of you guys'
) diagnosing a no-start problem later on if this potential fix had somehow slipped my mind. The part was from Mazdaswag (see above) with a Mazda sticker that said Made in Japan.Panel:
View through panel:
Phillip's disembodied head:
Old and new parts. (Note the grease on the old which had perhaps migrated from the lock cylinder? There's no mention of lubricant in service manual.):
Place where the replacement part goes (grease visible):
Got a good deal so went OEM:
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