Key Lock issue
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 478
Likes: 56
From: Woodstock Georgia
Key Lock issue
After lowering the steering column to remove the gauge cluster - and putting it back, the key doesn't come out. I can manually pull the lever to the top at the firewall and can remove the key. However when I pull the shifter out of park, the cable is not pushing the lever up. Also the bracket that should be up against the fw, is out slightly at the bottom and causing the cable to push right up against the oil sending unit.
It looks like there are 2 studs that hold that bracket to the firewall, and I'm assuming the nuts are at the floorboard.
Does it sound like the cable is out of adjustment due to possibly stressing it when dropping the column? Am I correct about the bracket? Not sure how I could tighten it since there is no head on the stud at the bracket.
Thanks in advance.
It looks like there are 2 studs that hold that bracket to the firewall, and I'm assuming the nuts are at the floorboard.
Does it sound like the cable is out of adjustment due to possibly stressing it when dropping the column? Am I correct about the bracket? Not sure how I could tighten it since there is no head on the stud at the bracket.
Thanks in advance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 74
From: Palatine, Peoples Republic of Illinois
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The bolts that go through the firewall are carriage bolts. One is attached to the bracket and the other is loose. How far did you lower the steering column? Did you loosen the bolts before lowering the column?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 478
Likes: 56
From: Woodstock Georgia
I lowered it a couple of inches; just enough to get the gauge cluster out. I didn't touch those bolts - only the two bolts that hold the column up.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 478
Likes: 56
From: Woodstock Georgia
I suspect something is broke inside of the column.... which is why I can't remove the key. The only way is for me to remove it is to manually pull the lever on the firewall all the way up. The lever on the transmission pulls the lever down with no problem. What mechanism pulls the lever up? All the slack on the cable is at the transmission lever.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 478
Likes: 56
From: Woodstock Georgia
That's not my problem as the bracket is adjusted. The cable only pulls the interlock lever down when I shift out of park. The lever is not being pulled back up. Doesn't seem to be binding anywhere .... it slacks at the transmission lever. Maybe I just need to change or lubricate the cable.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 74
From: Palatine, Peoples Republic of Illinois
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18
NCM Sinkhole Donor
If it's not pushing the cable back up look for a break in the cable housing or at the connection at the trans end. If the cable jacket is intact then something is not secured properly - missing nut, bad connection at trans, etc.
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