Signs of a faulty ignition switch on a VAZ-2114

Further in the article we will talk about what the VAZ-2114 ignition switch is, consider its main malfunctions and how to eliminate them. In addition, we will try to figure out how to replace it ourselves and connect it correctly.

Where is the ignition switch located on the “fourteenth”

In VAZ-2114 cars, the ignition switch, unlike the “classics”, is located not on the dashboard, but on the right, on the steering column. It is covered with a plastic casing on top, so only the upper part of the “larva” is visible to our eyes. The VAZ-2114 ignition switch consists of five main parts:

steel body;
locking mechanism;
locking device;
contact group;
key

The device is placed in a steel case, which is designed to protect it from hacking. As for the locking mechanism, it is practically no different from the door lock we are used to.

The locking device allows you to lock the steering shaft in the absence of a key. In this simple way, it protects the car from theft. The contact group is an element that is responsible for starting the engine and its systems. The VAZ-2114 ignition key is used to unlock the locking device and activate a group of contacts. Without it, it is impossible to start the engine without disassembling the device.

When replacement is required

Ignition switch kit

There are several basic situations when a car owner may urgently need to replace a unit. The reasons for the malfunction of the VAZ 2114 ignition switch include:

Mechanical failure of keys;
Lost key;
Damage to the lock as a result of an attempted theft;
Broken ignition contacts.

Principle of operation

The lock works as follows. When the key is placed in the hole, its locking mechanism is deactivated. This happens due to the reverse movement of a special rod.

By turning the key to the first position, you will power the “15” and “30” contacts. This will alert (but not enable) the following items:

ignition system;
headlight bulbs;
external light alarm;
electrical equipment of the dashboard;
windshield wipers and washer;
cigarette lighter;
rear window defroster;
generator excitation winding.

If in a VAZ-2114 car the ignition switch is moved to the second position, in addition to the listed equipment, the starter will start. As you can see, a lot depends on the serviceability of the device in question. What are the symptoms of a failed ignition switch? Let's start with the fact that its malfunction can be either mechanical or electrical in nature. In the first case it is:

lock jamming in one of the positions;
inability to unlock the steering shaft;
turning on the ignition with a non-original key or other object.

If the lock has an electrical problem, you may notice the following symptoms:

the warning lights on the instrument panel do not light up or light up and go out periodically;
the starter does not start;
Some or all electrical appliances, the circuit of which is powered through the ignition switch, do not work (cigarette lighter, headlights, washer, wipers, etc.).

Using a metal plate

A plate similar in size to the metal part of the ignition key is inserted into the ignition switch. The protruding part of the plate is turned with force with a screwdriver, like a lever for picking a lock. The plate rotates in the same direction as the key. After turning the plate, the machine should start.

In addition to solving starting problems, you will need to resolve the steering lock by making sharp turns from the far right to the far left and vice versa.

To remove the car from the alarm system, you need to switch the alarm button to the “Vallet” mode.

The easiest way, without destructive actions and subsequent repairs, is to power the ignition coil and starter directly from the battery.

Power errors can cause damage to sensors and electrical equipment.

If the car has an on-board computer, so that it does not burn out, it is better not to start it using these methods, but to call a foreman or a tow truck.

Causes of problems

Jamming of the device is possible due to wear of the “larva” itself or due to problems with the contact group. When faced with such a problem, you should not use force to turn the key in the right direction! There is no need to “tear” the steering wheel if it is impossible to unlock it.

It is better to carefully disassemble the lock and find out what the reason is. But more on that a little later.

Having noticed that the ignition in a car can be turned on with any key or foreign object, hurry to replace the “cylinder” or the complete device. This way you will protect your car from possible theft.

If the ignition switch on a VAZ-2114 car works normally, but when you turn it, the instrument panel does not light up, the starter does not start, and electrical appliances do not work, then most likely the contact group has failed. A similar problem may arise due to its natural wear and tear. After some time, the contacts are erased, which leads to a break in the electrical circuit. It is also possible for them to burn, caused by power surges, constant overloads, due to the use of additional electrical appliances and their incorrect connection.

Important: if you want to install additional electrical equipment in your car, connect it to the on-board network only through a relay!

Repair or change

What to do if the ignition switch is faulty? You can, of course, try to restore it. But this is only if you have some experience in this area, the device is relatively new and you suspect that contact wear is to blame. Otherwise, it is better to replace the entire lock. Fortunately, it is not that expensive and does not cost more than a thousand rubles, and this procedure does not take much time.

Preparation

At the preparation stage, you will need to collect the necessary tools near you, which will be useful in the process of dismantling and installing a new ignition switch. You will also have to remove the steering cover and steering column shifters. Doing this is quite difficult, but we will tell you step by step about all the nuances of these preparatory activities. So you can easily figure out for yourself how to remove the ignition switch on a VAZ 2114.

Tools you will need:

Phillips strong screwdriver;
Open-end wrench 10 millimeters;
Chisel;
Hammer;
Pliers or pliers;
New ignition switch assembly;
Lock mounting screws (4 pieces).

Now let's move on to the casing and switches. For more convenient work, many advise removing the steering column switches and the steering wheel itself. Dismantling the casing is performed in the following sequence:

Disconnect the negative cable from the battery. Nobody has yet canceled the requirements for personal safety and protection against electric shocks;
Unscrew the three screws securing the two parts of the casing. A screwdriver is useful for this;
Unscrew the screw that connects the housing to the connector of the steering column switches;
Remove the two screws that hold the lower housing to the steering column;
The lever that fixes the column at the corner leads down;
The steering wheel also goes down;
The lower casing is then removed;
The power supply from the emergency lights must be disconnected;
Now you can remove the top casing;
To dismantle the steering column switches, you need to act one by one;
Simultaneously press both latches and thereby remove the elements from their seats;
Disconnect them from the power supply.

Twist

To rotate, you will need a Phillips screwdriver and a paper clip (piece of wire).

Open the hood and remove the cable from the positive terminal of the battery.
Place the gear shift lever in neutral.
Apply the parking brake.
Using a Phillips screwdriver, remove the steering column cover and set it aside.
Carefully remove the retaining wire from the ignition switch. Immediately determine which wire is grounded and disconnect it from the others. If you short-circuit the ground with a multimeter on the case, there will be no voltage. It's even better if you insulate the wire so you don't accidentally damage the entire wiring.
Find the red thread and move it to the side. Carefully connect the remaining wires to make contact. Secure the twist with thread or a paper clip. Sometimes the twist is rewound with electrical tape or duct tape. Your vehicle's electrical system should turn on.
Press the clutch pedal.
Throw a red thread over the remaining threads (twist). The car should start. Remove the red thread from the twist. If the engine speed is stable, gently and carefully release the clutch pedal.

The power switch connectors (sockets) may vary from machine to machine. There are types of connectors from which you can remove the wires with an awl. Only after they are removed are they twisted (without the red thread).

After starting the engine, the red wire is immediately removed from the twist. Otherwise, the starter may break.

Attention! If the cable is not disconnected from the battery terminal, kinking of the cables may cause the engine to start and cause a short circuit.

Is it possible to check the contact group with your own hands?

Diagnostics of a contact group consists of measuring the resistance value between certain terminals on the device wiring harness block. To check it you need:

Remove the plastic steering column cover (to do this, unscrew three screws).
Disconnect the wires of the VAZ-2114 ignition switch (remove the block from the socket).
Turn on the ohmmeter (if you have a multimeter, set it to resistance measurement mode).
Connect the probes of the device (polarity does not matter) to terminals “4” (upper right) and “7” (second from the bottom right), corresponding to contacts “15” and “30”.
Turn the ignition switch to the first position.
Take ohmmeter readings.
Turn off the ignition, connect the probes of the device to terminals “3” (second from the top right) and “7”, corresponding to contacts “50” and “30”.
Turn the lock to the second position.
Measure the resistance between the terminals.

If the VAZ-2114 ignition switch (injector) is working properly, the resistance between the contacts will be zero. Otherwise, most likely, the contact group of the device has become unusable.

Troubleshooting Methods

There are two methods for detecting faults:

Visual;
Diagnostic.

Ignition switch circuit

We suggest studying a visual method for determining a malfunction or breakdown of the contact elements of the ignition switch using the table.

Action	The device is working properly	The device is faulty
Turn the key to the right position (ignition)	All electrical equipment turns on	All or part of the electrical equipment does not work
Turn the key to the second position	The starter is spinning	The starter does not work, the traction relay does not click under the hood

But diagnostics allows you to get a more detailed answer. In addition, a visual inspection will not give you the opportunity to find all the reasons that could cause the ignition switch to break down.

To work, you will need a mini-tester and a multimeter in ohmmeter mode:

Disconnect the power supply from the ignition switch. To do this, you need to remove the skin from the steering column;
Switch your multimeter to an ohmmeter;
On the block coming from the lock you need to find pins 7 and 4, which correspond to pins 15 and 30;
Connect the multimeter probes to them;
Turn the key to the “Ignition” position;
On the block, find pins 7 and 3, corresponding to 50 and 30. Also connect a multimeter to them;
Turn the key to the second position - Start the engine;
If serviceability is present, the device will show zero resistance in both test cases.

Removing the ignition switch

Before changing the ignition switch on a VAZ-2114, make sure you have the necessary tools at hand. You will need:

screwdriver with Phillips bit;
wrench set to “10”;
small hammer;
sharp chisel;
pliers.

Now let’s figure out how to remove the ignition switch on a VAZ-2114. The procedure is as follows:

We de-energize the on-board network by removing the “negative” terminal from the battery (to do this, use a “10” key to loosen the bolt on the terminal).
Remove the plastic steering column cover by unscrewing the three screws securing it.
For convenience, you can also remove the steering wheel with switches, but you can do without it.
Disconnect the wiring block of the emergency stop button.
Disconnect the ignition switch block.
Inspect the lock mounting bolts. If you are replacing a lock for the first time, you may be surprised that they do not have heads. This is a kind of standard anti-theft concept.
Using a chisel and hammer, loosen these bolts and unscrew them with pliers.
Remove the lock mounting bracket.
We dismantle the device.

Removing a faulty lock

Unscrewing the ignition switch bolts with a chisel

In practice, replacing the ignition switch on a VAZ 2114 will be impossible until you get rid of the old one. This is not difficult to do, but you will have to spend some time on your car.

Once you have gained access to the ignition switch, or rather its housing, you will notice that the lock is attached to the steering column with four bolts. The problem is that they don't have heads.
This phenomenon is part of the “unique” factory anti-theft system manufactured by AvtoVAZ. In fact, such a system makes it somewhat more difficult for criminals who do not have a key to start the engine. So don't scold them too much.
These bolts are loosened with a chisel and hammer, and their removal is done using pliers.
Next, remove the bracket from the column;
Be sure to unplug the power supply. In general, the wiring diagram for the VAZ 2114 ignition switch is simple if you buy the lock assembled. You don't have to solder anything or figure out which wire goes where. Everything is assembled into a block, so all that remains is to insert it into the appropriate connector. That's all.
By disconnecting the power supply, you can now finally get rid of the failed ignition switch.

Installation and connection of the ignition switch VAZ -2114

The algorithm for installing the lock and connecting it to the on-board network is as follows:

We insert the key into the hole and turn it to the first position. This way we will hide the rod that blocks the steering shaft.
We install a new lock on the column by placing a bracket.
We tighten the bolts securing the lock, but not completely. You may also need to adjust the position of the device.
We check the operation of the locking device. To do this, pull the key out of the “cylinder”, tugging it to the sides. The steering wheel should lock. If there is no locking, adjust the position of the lock relative to the steering shaft. The rod should fit easily into the groove on the steering shaft.
After this, insert the key and turn it to the first position. The steering wheel should unlock. We check several times to make sure that the device is working properly.
Now you can tighten the lock bolts. Twist until their heads fall off.
We connect the ignition switch wiring harness block.
We connect the wires of the hazard warning button.
Connect the negative terminal to the battery. We check the operation of the device in all possible modes.
We install the plastic casing on the steering column.

Installing a new device

Now you can finally proceed directly to replacing the broken or worn out ignition switch on your VAZ2114 car.

Removing the ignition switch

To do this, follow the following sequence of actions:

Insert the key into the new lock and turn it to the first position. This will allow the latch, which is responsible for locking the steering shaft, to hide inside the housing structure;
Insert the lock into place following the reverse dismantling sequence;
Install the four retaining bolts and tighten them slightly.

Replacing the contact group

If you still decide to save money and not buy a whole lock, the best solution for a working “cylinder” would be to replace the contact group. It is produced as follows:

Having dismantled the ignition switch, we remove the retaining ring from the end of its body, which holds the core of the device.
We remove the contact group from the housing.
We install a new part in place of the old one. In this case, the position of contacts “15” and “30” must correspond to the position of the rod that locks the steering shaft.
Please note that the wide protrusion of the contact group is inserted into a wide groove on the housing.
Install and check the device in the order described above.

Starting the engine, its systems, as well as other important devices and mechanisms in cars of the Samara family is impossible without the ignition switch.
Those car owners who have had to deal with a malfunction of this device know what its unexpected failure can lead to. Especially if it happens on the road. Further in the article we will talk about what the VAZ-2114 ignition switch is, consider its main malfunctions and how to eliminate them. In addition, we will try to figure out how to replace it ourselves and connect it correctly.

Steering lock testing

If you don't check the steering lock, you may encounter certain problems in the future. Therefore, do not waste your time on this event. It consists of removing the key from the ignition and turning the steering wheel at a slight angle.

If there is no lock, you will need to slightly adjust the position of the lock. Make sure it fits into the groove located on the steering shaft.
If the locking is effective, you will only need to tighten the four installed breakaway bolts until they stop. Twist until the heads break.

It is worth noting one very important nuance. Some people don't find it necessary to use breakaway bolts. Instead, the most common fixing bolts with a length of 20 millimeters and an M6 thread are used. On the one hand, this will make it easier to remove the device in the future, if such an event is required again. On the other hand, in the absence of a reliable anti-theft system, voluntarily giving attackers access to your car is not the best idea.

When the lock installation is completed and the test has passed, do not forget to connect the device to power and start the engine. If it starts, all systems dependent on the ignition switch are working, you can fully begin reassembly. Follow the reverse instructions for removing the casing and steering column switches. It would not be amiss to check the condition of certain nodes along the way. It is quite possible that some of them also need replacement or a little preventive maintenance.