My keyswitch has gone bad, and as a new replacement is ~$200, I'm hoping to find one in the junkyard. Without another '91 in the yard, some cross-reference information would be very helpful.

The local dealer tells me, depending on what they refer to, that this one was used in the Dakota either 1990-1998 or "late 80s-95". But can anyone tell me which other models used it (if any)? That'd greatly increase my odds of finding one.

Thanks much.

Jonathan

 

I'm not sure what you mean by cross reference but if you get an ignition switch from a rig in the JY get the door locks too that way you can use the VIN from that rig to get the dealer to make you a new key and you will have a one key system still.

 

By "cross-reference" I mean: What Chrysler models other than the Dakota use this switch? That is, if I can't find a compatible Dakota in the yard, might I find this switch in a Voyager, Ram, etc.?

About the keying: Understood, though I haven't determined whether it's cheaper to go the VIN+dealer route or just take the switch to a locksmith.

 

I don't remember the exact price but it was pretty reasonable to get a key made. Now that I think of it I had to have proof of ownership so You'd have to get the papers on whatever rig you took it off of.

 

I'm confused.

Are you needing the TUMBLERS, or the SWITCH?

That's two different items.

RockAuto lists either or both for under $200 - WAY under $200! - for the pair. Switch itself is under $30 ( http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/d...er+switch,4700 ) and the tumblers are under $32 ( http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/d...cylinder,10041 ). At worse, add a set of door locks ( http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/d...cylinder,10007 ) for under $16, then you may hit $200 after both are rekeyed to match the new ignition switch lock cylinder.

RwP

 

I think things are a lot more relaxed around here than that. When I spoke to the locksmith and explained the situation they indicated no such requirement.

 

I need both - the switch isn't making contact (it engages the starter about one out of every twenty tries) and the key and cylinder are so badly worn that I can remove the key when it's in the "on" position. If I can find a good one at the boneyard it'll cost $15, and the locksmith quoted $35 for the keying. That's assuming the donor truck doesn't have the keys in it, of course - sometimes they're there.

 

So $40 for a used one, or $30 or so for a new one.

*shrugs*

Your choice.

RwP

 

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To be fair Rock Auto hardly ships anything for less than $10. I'm always lured by the cheap prices but sometimes the shipping makes no sense...especially when items come from different distribution warehouses.

 

Figured I should close the loop on this. I found the right switch on a '98 Dakota at the boneyard for $16 (that's Canadian, so about $12 USD). I didn't realize that the aftermarket around here had them, but they do - at $80 ($60 USD). The locksmith is charging me $35 ($27 USD) to key it. So all told, the junkyard+locksmith route is faster+cheaper than the other options.

As for Rock, I don't know what to make of those guys half the time. I've gotten good deals on Subaru parts (e.g. clutch) from them, but a couple of weeks ago I needed a carb kit for an old Carter 2bbl ('64 Rambler Classic I'm working on) and they listed it at $38 CAN (plus shipping?) vs. the $17 CAN I paid at a local shop.