Shifter goes into gear ?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
Actually it does .... or can. GM did away with the shifter lock feature...which made it so you had to have the shifter in PARK in order to get the key out of the ignition.
I have never had a customer ask me to fix this issue. It can be done but will take some wiring and a possible solenoid to lock you shifter in PARK. Because trying to add the lever on the column like GM did yeas before is not going to be an easy feat...and would be extremely expensive..and trying to install an earlier steering column...you will lose many features that are on your column ...thus that idea is pointless.
DUB
I have never had a customer ask me to fix this issue. It can be done but will take some wiring and a possible solenoid to lock you shifter in PARK. Because trying to add the lever on the column like GM did yeas before is not going to be an easy feat...and would be extremely expensive..and trying to install an earlier steering column...you will lose many features that are on your column ...thus that idea is pointless.
DUB
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 38
Likes: 2
[b]so its original?i will not touch it.i just find it strange meaning anybody can put it in neutral and leave with car even tho steering is locked.
Last edited by Redonred81; Nov 18, 2017 at 07:58 PM. Reason: Repost
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
This direct quote from Jim Shea's coverage of the interlock system on '69-'76 cars covers answers your question.
"Starting in the 1977 model year, a small lever was added to the steering column. It was located on the steering column head, directly behind the ignition lock cylinder. In order to rotate the lock cylinder to the OFF-LOCK position it was necessary to trip the lever to open the gate inside the steering column head. Since a double motion was required to go from just turning off the engine to turning off the engine and locking the steering column, General Motors determined that interlocking to the transmission in PARK or REVERSE was no longer required. Note, with the Finger Inhibitor System, the transmission shifter lever does not lock."
On a side note, I also think it's strange GM decided that locking the shifter was no longer important.
Greg
"Starting in the 1977 model year, a small lever was added to the steering column. It was located on the steering column head, directly behind the ignition lock cylinder. In order to rotate the lock cylinder to the OFF-LOCK position it was necessary to trip the lever to open the gate inside the steering column head. Since a double motion was required to go from just turning off the engine to turning off the engine and locking the steering column, General Motors determined that interlocking to the transmission in PARK or REVERSE was no longer required. Note, with the Finger Inhibitor System, the transmission shifter lever does not lock."
On a side note, I also think it's strange GM decided that locking the shifter was no longer important.
Greg
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
YEAH..I feel that what GM did was rather 'bone headed' move on their part.
Not good to allow children to be in the car playing around like they are 'driving' when it is on a hill or even on a slight grade...or even in there at all by themselves. Because I was at a friends cook-out a long time ago and he allowed his grandchildren to be in the car and guess what happened. You guessed it...car smacked a tree and the kids were tossed around but not severely hurt. Totally killed the vibe at the cook-out for a while.
DUB
Not good to allow children to be in the car playing around like they are 'driving' when it is on a hill or even on a slight grade...or even in there at all by themselves. Because I was at a friends cook-out a long time ago and he allowed his grandchildren to be in the car and guess what happened. You guessed it...car smacked a tree and the kids were tossed around but not severely hurt. Totally killed the vibe at the cook-out for a while.
DUB
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Eaton Rapids MI
IMHO it is no different than a manual transmission. You can take those in and out of gear without the key even being in the ignition. That being said I see two simple no cost solutions. 1. Lock you doors. 2. Apply the parking brake so the vehicle cant roll when it is taken out of gear/park. BTM
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
IMHO it is no different than a manual transmission. You can take those in and out of gear without the key even being in the ignition. That being said I see two simple no cost solutions. 1. Lock you doors. 2. Apply the parking brake so the vehicle cant roll when it is taken out of gear/park. BTM
DUB
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