[mickman1959]

How can I tighten my ignition switch. i have a 1999 Z258 Shabah cuddy. My ignition switch came loose and the whole switch turns when i try to start my boat. The only access is a small panel in the cuddy. i can barely see the tightening nut from there and there are all kinds of wiring and harnesses in the way along with bracing. I can't see any other way in from the dash. Can anyone help and give me an idea on how to tighten the nut?

[dieselwiezil]

90* needlenose and GREAT LUCK, Its a PITA

[WetWilly]

Hi mickman1959, dieselwiezil right, you may need to resort to unusual tools to get the job done.

You could also fashion a custom tool for tightening the back nut on the switch - acquire a "long" open end wrench of the proper size, clamp it in a vise, heat up the wrench about 3 to 4 inches back from the wrench head and make a 90% bend, let cool and it should work to get around the wires, or you could make a wrench from steel bar stock and a Dremel to do the same thing.

Good luck,
WetWilly

[Billyclub]

I had the same problem with my shabah 182 last year. I placed a nut on the dashboard side of the switch and used it to tighten against the rear nut. Good luck and watch out for sharp fiberglass.