Intermittent radio, blower motor and wipers

[Don Keyballs]

I have a 93 Pathfinder 4X4. Recently the blower motor, radio and wipers started losing power. I noticed that if I wiggle the key, while the car is running, power is restored. If I beat on the bottom of the steering column, it will usually come back. I am suspecting the ignition switch in the steering column itself. I took this out earlier and noticed 3 big blobs of solder on the back of the switch unit. I checked continuity with a multimeter and everything looked good. Can this unit be replaced, or should I look somewhere else? Is there a good place to get a wiring schematic for the Pathfinder?

[Don Keyballs]

I figured this one out myself. I put a meter on the big globs of solder and found high resistance across 2 of the solder points when the key was turned to the ACC or ON positions. I pulled the ignition switch unit (the one with the globs of solder on it) out of the steering column and took it apart. There are 2 bearings with one spring each, one large spring and a copper disc inside this thing, that are waiting to come flying out as soon as you open it, so watch out! Anyway, I looked at the copper disc and found out that the contact points on the disc were burned. I got out a stone and cleaned the disc, and the points where it made contact with it's mating half, sprayed everything down with contact cleaner, then reassembled it. I had to crimp the whole thing back together with channel lock pliers, but it works perfect now.