When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Been gone from the forum along time everyone. Divorce has kept my cars in storage along time. So my ignition turns and has no spring return. I see some articles but haven't come across the exact issue and fix. Thanks in advance and I'm glad to be back! I want to finish the restoration but have to hear her run
This is the actuator rod. Drop the two bolts that hold the column to the lower dash, loosen the plate at the firewall, lower the column and you should be able to see this rod move up and down when you activate the key.
This is the actuator rod. Drop the two bolts that hold the column to the lower dash, loosen the plate at the firewall, lower the column and you should be able to see this rod move up and down when you activate the key.
great pic. So I dropped column rod moves but not regularly so i assume the key ignition itself is bad.. it does not spring back either
You are going to have to disassemble the column and check the rod connection to the ignition rack, check to see if rack is broken, or if the plastic gear has broken teeth.
Greg The plastic gear and toothed rack The front of rack attaches to the rod. The pin on the front of the rod goes into the notch on the rack.
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
If the key does not return to the RUN position from the START position check that the IGNITION SWITCH itself is good.
When disconnected from the column it should move from START to RUN due to the SPRING inside the IGNITION SWITCH.
If the key does not return to the RUN position from the START position check that the IGNITION SWITCH itself is good.
When disconnected from the column it should move from START to RUN due to the SPRING inside the IGNITION SWITCH.
You are going to have to disassemble the column and check the rod connection to the ignition rack, check to see if rack is broken, or if the plastic gear has broken teeth.
Greg The plastic gear and toothed rack The front of rack attaches to the rod. The pin on the front of the rod goes into the notch on the rack.
Greg in the top picture i can see the spring is loose and not tight against the plastic gear. I have put the new spring on and it still looks like your first picture? What am I missing?
The spring helps the locking rod push forward to lock the column. The spring is ok, but the lock pin end should be behind the flat area of the plastic gear.
From what I see your plastic gear to the sliding metal toothed rack is not syched correctly? The large plastic gear should engage with the large opening in the rack. And make sure the long lock rod has the flat area up and is behind the flat area of the plastic gear.
Remove the ignition switch on lower part if column. Make sure backdrive lever is all the way up. You should be able to freely move the rod and rack.
Last edited by corvgreg; Jun 18, 2021 at 05:15 AM.
The spring helps the locking rod push forward to lock the column. The spring is ok, but the lock pin end should be behind the flat area of the plastic gear.
From what I see your plastic gear to the sliding metal toothed rack is not syched correctly? The large plastic gear should engage with the large opening in the rack. And make sure the long lock rod has the flat area up and is behind the flat area of the plastic gear.
Remove the ignition switch on lower part if column. Make sure backdrive lever is all the way up. You should be able to freely move the rod and rack.
ok I do have the ignition switch removed and the rod moved freely.freepushed the rod back and slid the plastic gear in place. At that time it appears to be flat and all the way in. The pin that comes from the other side and through the gear comes just far enough to put the c clip in place. Then when I install the spring it won't ser back . Its like the spring part that goes inside the attic gear is to long? It's the same as original though??
Did you take out the lower screw that holds the spring. If not remove it. First hook the one part of the spring into the notch on the lock pin, push the looped part of the spring into the notch on the plastic gear, and then line up the lower part of the spring so the screw can go through to tighten it down.
69 tilt column issue
