what does this lever do?

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Jul 7, 2013 | 04:59 PM

rustynail1

Thread Starter

1st Gear

Joined: Jul 2013

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what does this lever do?

Hi I recently bought a c3, so am trying to get familiar with it

Just below the ignition key on the steering column, there is a little lever

Could someone please tell me what it is for?

Jul 7, 2013 | 05:03 PM

razman

Drifting

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 1,369

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From: wichita kansas

NEVER, under ANY circumstances, push that lever! LOL....pics? i believe that some of the later C3 cars had a lever below the ignition switch that you had to push down before you could rotate the switch to off position and remove key.....

Last edited by razman; Jul 7, 2013 at 05:27 PM. Reason: cuz

Jul 7, 2013 | 05:08 PM

TW1ST3D

Advanced

Joined: Dec 2011

Posts: 62

Likes: 6

From: Columbus Georgia

Yep.....That would be the the lever that you SHOULD have to push down on to rotate the key to the "Off" position and remove the key.

Jul 7, 2013 | 07:46 PM

fishslayer143

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Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 1,346

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From: new iberia la

Quote:

Originally Posted by razman

never push that! good one!

Jul 7, 2013 | 07:50 PM

loup68

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From: myrtle beach sc

Army

Does anyone know the reason behind that? Seems like an awfully dumb thing to have to do to remove the key. Lou.

Jul 7, 2013 | 07:55 PM

AdamMeh

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From: Peoria Arizona

Quote:

Originally Posted by loup68

Does anyone know the reason behind that? Seems like an awfully dumb thing to have to do to remove the key. Lou.

Our '77 has the same "tab". If I'm not mistaken (and I often am), the steering wheel won't lock until the key reaches the off position - possible that the lever was meant to avoid hitting the key and locking the wheel while driving?

Adam

Jul 7, 2013 | 08:19 PM

billcarson

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From: nassau co. new york

"hang on toots i'm about to hit the little lever".

Jul 7, 2013 | 09:00 PM

fishslayer143

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Joined: Aug 2009

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From: new iberia la

Quote:

Originally Posted by loup68

Does anyone know the reason behind that? Seems like an awfully dumb thing to have to do to remove the key. Lou.

there have been many other cars with that type feature.I ve had Fords and Chevys with it . don t know why, or why it was stopped

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Jul 7, 2013 | 09:17 PM

Raphiki

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From: Palatine, Peoples Republic of Illinois

St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18

NCM Sinkhole Donor

I think that lever locks the steering column.

Jul 7, 2013 | 10:39 PM

#10

Skip Burney

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 914

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From: Brooklet Ga.

Don`t EVER EVER push that lever, it opens a time warp portal to another time when gas was 32 cents a gallon and all the women went braless.

Jul 7, 2013 | 11:46 PM

#11

jesse10886

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 1,093

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From: long beach California

the lever is there incase for what ever reason the key came out or if the engine is dead and you need to steer and push to side of the road or whatever the ignition will not come back far enough to lock and you don't loose steering ability it is a safety mechanism. on the 70s old cars and trucks that had colums starting to go bad you would have someone go round a turn an wheel locked in the turn and you crashed so ford gm dodge everybody started adding the ignition safety levers they do serve a purpose not stupid

Jul 8, 2013 | 01:02 AM

#12

Bangkok Dean

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jan 2004

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From: one night in Bangkok you are never lonely

Quote:

Originally Posted by billcarson

"hang on toots i'm about to hit the little lever".

Who said is forum was not helpful

Jul 8, 2013 | 08:13 AM

#13

71scgc

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Joined: Sep 2010

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From: Emerald Isle NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by billcarson

"hang on toots i'm about to hit the little lever".

YAY!!!

Thanks Bill, Keep 'em coming!

Carter

Jul 8, 2013 | 08:18 AM

#14

Easy Mike

Team Owner

Joined: Jun 2000

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From: Southbound

Cruise-In II Veteran

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustynail1

...I recently bought a c3...

Order an owner's manual for it. It tells you what the key release lever does.

Jul 8, 2013 | 02:22 PM

#15

rjoyal

Advanced

Joined: Dec 2012

Posts: 59

Likes: 1

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishslayer143

there have been many other cars with that type feature.I ve had Fords and Chevys with it . don t know why, or why it was stopped

My 2001 Trans Am is a stick and has a button instead of a lever.

From what I have read, it's to make it a two-step process to lock the steering column so you are less likely to do it by accident.

On my winter Subaru wagon, you have to push the key "in" a bit as you're turning it to remove it. (it's also a manual transmission.)