Ignition lock, or ignition switch ?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 618
Likes: 0
Ignition lock, or ignition switch ?
When I turn my key to the accessory position, it no longer stays there; it goes back to the off. Is this a worn out key cylinder lock, or is it the ignition switch? When I physically hold it on the ACC position, power does come on to the radio, etc.
Mark
Mark
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Read thru here...when my 69 would not go into ACC, it was a rod adjustment...
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/
Last edited by rihwoods; Feb 18, 2008 at 06:27 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 618
Likes: 0
Read thru here...when my 69 would not go into ACC, it was a rod adjustment...
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/
Thanks, I'll check that out.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 5
From: Brown Summit North Carolina
There is an adjustment that can be made on the switch that is on the steering column under the dash.
It may be doable with out removing the column.
My 71 did the same as yours , not knowing better I had the switch replaced and it still did the same thing.
There are 2 screws that hold the lower switch to the column.
A small mirror will help
As I recall they are 1/4 inch.
Loosen them and slide the switch toward the steering wheel about
1/4" and try the key.
Good luck
David
It may be doable with out removing the column.
My 71 did the same as yours , not knowing better I had the switch replaced and it still did the same thing.
There are 2 screws that hold the lower switch to the column.
A small mirror will help
As I recall they are 1/4 inch.
Loosen them and slide the switch toward the steering wheel about
1/4" and try the key.
Good luck
David
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 618
Likes: 0
There is an adjustment that can be made on the switch that is on the steering column under the dash.
It may be doable with out removing the column.
My 71 did the same as yours , not knowing better I had the switch replaced and it still did the same thing.
There are 2 screws that hold the lower switch to the column.
A small mirror will help
As I recall they are 1/4 inch.
Loosen them and slide the switch toward the steering wheel about
1/4" and try the key.
Good luck
David
It may be doable with out removing the column.
My 71 did the same as yours , not knowing better I had the switch replaced and it still did the same thing.
There are 2 screws that hold the lower switch to the column.
A small mirror will help
As I recall they are 1/4 inch.
Loosen them and slide the switch toward the steering wheel about
1/4" and try the key.
Good luck
David
Did you do that from underneath of the dash, or did you drop the steering column down first? Thanks!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 385
Likes: 3
From: RTP NC
I removed the column and when I did Iwent ahead and replaced the switch. Here's some pictures that I took. They may help you out...
http://s189.photobucket.com/albums/z...man2001_photo/
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 618
Likes: 0
Thanks to you guys on this thread, I fixed my accessory lock position problem. 
I removed the speedo/tach cluster, which I've done before, and loathed. The worst is yet to come, when I have to reattach the tach and speedo cables to the head. The tach especially, is such a pain to reattach. But, it will be worth it.
footnote: after being on jackstands for 6 weeks, I took her out today for a test drive. I had my steering box rebuilt by Gary Ramadei (from this bbs) and it drives fantastic now! to you Gary!
Also, I had rebuilt my shifter. It shifts a lot tighter now, most of the slop is gone.
The testdrive did reveal a nagging, squeaking right rear rotor. Light application of the brakes makes it stop. I'll have to check the run-out on the rotor.
Thanks again everyone; this forum rocks
I removed the speedo/tach cluster, which I've done before, and loathed. The worst is yet to come, when I have to reattach the tach and speedo cables to the head. The tach especially, is such a pain to reattach. But, it will be worth it.footnote: after being on jackstands for 6 weeks, I took her out today for a test drive. I had my steering box rebuilt by Gary Ramadei (from this bbs) and it drives fantastic now!
to you Gary! Also, I had rebuilt my shifter. It shifts a lot tighter now, most of the slop is gone.
The testdrive did reveal a nagging, squeaking right rear rotor. Light application of the brakes makes it stop. I'll have to check the run-out on the rotor.
Thanks again everyone; this forum rocks
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 5
From: Brown Summit North Carolina
But after re assembly it appeared to be something that could be done while installed. But I did not try it.
David
Last edited by dmayhew; Feb 19, 2008 at 01:45 PM. Reason: typo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 8
From: Illinois
I have done alot of things on my 71 but the one I couldn't solve was the ignition problem. My ignition worked fine and then one day the key wouldn't come out--car would start and turn off fine. I took the steering column apart, removed the cylinder, inserted a new one, and same thing. Car will start but key will not turn to lock position to remove key. I finally yanked the key out and gave up. Now I can't get the cylinder out either. I spent so much time on this and accomplished nothing. Moved on to other things and will take it to the chevy dealer in the spring and let them fix it--bought another cylinder that is keyed to doors. This problem was more frustating that taking out the brake power booster and the trailing arms.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Your 1971 C3 has what is called the Steering Column/Transmission Shift Interlock System. There is a cable coming from your transmission that connects to a lever on the lower end of the steering column (out under the brake booster/master cylinder.) When you shift to PARK with an automatic or into REVERSE with a manual trans, the cable pushes the column lever all the way to the full UP position. You can turn your key to OFF and shut down your engine, but unless the lever is all the way UP, you cannot get to OFF-LOCK so that you can remove your key.
The positions for your ignition key are as follows:
START, RUN, OFF, OFF-LOCK, & ACCESSORY.
You cannot get to OFF-LOCK unless that lower lever is all the way UP.
Some people disconnect the cable and wire the lower lever permanently in the UP position. Just be aware that with the lever always UP you can turn off the engine and lock the steering wheel even while driving down the road.
This address will take you to a paper on this interlock system with much more information.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...tems27JL04.doc
Jim
The positions for your ignition key are as follows:
START, RUN, OFF, OFF-LOCK, & ACCESSORY.
You cannot get to OFF-LOCK unless that lower lever is all the way UP.
Some people disconnect the cable and wire the lower lever permanently in the UP position. Just be aware that with the lever always UP you can turn off the engine and lock the steering wheel even while driving down the road.
This address will take you to a paper on this interlock system with much more information.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...tems27JL04.doc
Jim