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Ignition switch failure and other stuff

FM Former Member
Had my first technical issue with the RED TUB. Battery kept on dying. Even replaced the battery because of a supposed dead cell (under full warranty thankfully) and she still drained to zip over night. First thought it was the alarm system - I keep it armed even in the garage. Everything was checking out all right, until I got to the ignition switch. Turns out that it must have had a short inside the switch itself - never ran into this before, but turned out to be an easy (and inexpensive) replacement.

Also found a couple of drops of brake fluid on the floor of the garage - near the left front. Reservoir is still full, but will have to climb under to check out what's going on. Haven't had the time to check it out yet - hopefully just a loose line/connection. I don't even know where the master cylinder is on this car..... Anyone know if this is "easy peasy" if I have to repair/replace?
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FM Former Member
Had my first technical issue with the RED TUB. Battery kept on dying. Even replaced the battery because of a supposed dead cell (under full warranty thankfully) and she still drained to zip over night. First thought it was the alarm system - I keep it armed even in the garage. Everything was checking out all right, until I got to the ignition switch. Turns out that it must have had a short inside the switch itself - never ran into this before, but turned out to be an easy (and inexpensive) replacement.

Also found a couple of drops of brake fluid on the floor of the garage - near the left front. Reservoir is still full, but will have to climb under to check out what's going on. Haven't had the time to check it out yet - hopefully just a loose line/connection. I don't even know where the master cylinder is on this car..... Anyone know if this is "easy peasy" if I have to repair/replace?
RichHeadleyRichHeadley
Cal,

I replaced my master cylinder a few weeks ago after finding brake fluid on my garage floor and upon further inspection finding brake fluid on my driver's side carpet. On a VS, the fluid reservoir is in the trunk on the driver's side and the master cylinder is directly in front of the brake pedal. It is fairly easy to access if you have a lift, probably a bit tougher if you have to lie on your back. I didn't want to mess with rebuilding the master as new ones are fairly inexpensive. It took me about an hour including bleeding the brakes.

Good luck, Rich

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FM Former Member
Rich, thanks for the information - sounds like I'll be able to do it myself with no problem. (Just have to get up the gumption to put the car up on jacks - although I may try to see if my mechanic will do it cheap.....he may want the work for the holidays and I'd like the free time.)

Jack, I found the electrical short in a process of elimination, nothing scientific. Started with the alarm, worked fine no unexpected drain when not in use, same with the lights, radio, horn, etc. Lucky that I found it before I got too frustrated, don't have any fancy equipment to trace it. Replaced the whole switch and key set - although the bezel is now a chrome hex nut.

Best regards,
Cal

FM Former Member
Jim, have you seen the weather here the past few months? This week has been one of the few times that I could take the car out of the garage without a good chance of ice, snow or rain for two days in a row. I envy you Socal guys big time in that regard. However, some of the pictures posted by Vince has me wondering if it would really be worth it.
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