Shift with no key
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 988
Likes: 183
From: South Carolina
Shift with no key
I haven’t cranked my car in 2 months,and now in the process of replacing interior on 1981,I noticed today needed to turn my rear hub,so went to put key in ignition,but first figured let me try and shift it without key,expecting it to not move and could shift it all gears,is this lock so he can’t shift without key is controlled at the shifter or at the steering colum,I have had the steering wheel and horn button,but didn’t mess with ignition switc,I haven’t messed with the shifter,but do have everything around it off and the shifter plate loose.so, I’m assuming I have something off or loose. Thanks
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On my 77 I can shift through all gears just fine without turning the ign. barrel. All that does is locks the steering wheel.
Now of course I have no idea which transmission you have. But it's that way on my manual.
Now of course I have no idea which transmission you have. But it's that way on my manual.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
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From: US-PNW
My '72 TH400 automatic won't shift out of park without the key turned and the interlock cable released. The interlock cable attaches opposite on shift lever to the PRNDL cable. If the interlock isn't released, the shifter can't move the lever. You can get around the interlock by wiring it in the up position or disconnecting it from the lever pin.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 988
Likes: 183
From: South Carolina
Yea it was working a few months ago before I starting working on tearing the inside out,so I was going to remove the shifter but decided not to,so must of disconnected something or messed with the interlock,but will my manual out and investigate it thanks,I’m sure that’s the case.
Race Director
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From: Virginia
I think the interlock cable went away in the mid 70s.
Back when it had an automatic, my 79 could be shifted with no key. Are you pressing the button?
Perhaps the parking pawl is stuck. A manual swap is your best bet to fix this problem.
Back when it had an automatic, my 79 could be shifted with no key. Are you pressing the button?
Perhaps the parking pawl is stuck. A manual swap is your best bet to fix this problem.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 988
Likes: 183
From: South Carolina
Yea,from what I gathered is from 1977-1982,is different and is called finger inhibitor,it is a small lever on the steering colum,just behind ignition lock cylinder,which would lock the steering wheel,but that still doesn’t explain me moving shifter without key,I’m pretty sure in 1981 you’re not suppose to be able to move shifter with steering locked,I agree with someone earlier I must of disconnected or broke something when I removed the console and interior and gauges.I’ll find it.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 988
Likes: 183
From: South Carolina
Yea,I think the button on the shifter I must of disconnected it,like I said earlier I removed everything inside other than the shifter,but I had been messing around the shifter,in fact probably would have removed it,but some sort of spring was preventing me from taking the shifter plate off.yea,the colum lock has nothing to do with shifter for sure,because my steering wheel is locking.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 988
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From: South Carolina
But,got parking brakes back together and went to put rotor back on,although I want to have them turned before I install them,and with the longer studs,I will have to cut at least a 1/2 inch off them,but,went to put rotor on bolts did line up but way off center,so I did Not mark as to relation to hub and rotor,wouldn’t think it matters,so just assuming bolts not squared or straight,although they look good,I’m thinking putting rotor on as far as it can go on bolts,and hitting rotor with big hammer,to align it right,without messing up threads.or any other suggestions how to align rotor back on.
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Joined: Jun 2021
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I have also completely disassembled my 1981 interior. But I have also disassembled many many interiors of many makes and models. So I’m familiar with all the ways shifter interlocking is done.
I found no interlock for the shifter that is released by the key. There is no cable or actuator on the shifter to lock it. No locking mechanism of any kind on the shifter. Unless you consider the button one, but I don’t. So don’t worry, you’re not missing anything.
As for the brakes are you sure you’re not hitting up against the shoes of the parking brake? If not, the studs are not squared. The only orientation that matters is lining up the parking brake adjuster holes.
I found no interlock for the shifter that is released by the key. There is no cable or actuator on the shifter to lock it. No locking mechanism of any kind on the shifter. Unless you consider the button one, but I don’t. So don’t worry, you’re not missing anything.
As for the brakes are you sure you’re not hitting up against the shoes of the parking brake? If not, the studs are not squared. The only orientation that matters is lining up the parking brake adjuster holes.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
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From: US-PNW
This 2011 message from Jim Shea explains it all:
Funny that a safety/theft feature was disabled...
One more time! The 1969 through 1976 Corvettes had a cable that attached to the lever on the lower end of the steering column (out under the brake master cylinder.) When you rotated your ignition key to the OFF-LOCK position, it locked both the shifter and the steering wheel
Starting in 1977, (through 1982) rotating the ignition key to OFF-LOCK only locked the steering wheel. The shifter no longer locked. So there is no lever on the lower end of the steering column nor is there a cable coming from the transmission to the column on 1977s through 1982.
FYI, the ignition key and lock cylinder has five positions, from full CW turning CCW they are as follows:
START, RUN, OFF, OFF-LOCK, and ACCESSORY
You cannot turn your ignition key from OFF to OFF-LOCK unless:
1969-76 your shifter must be in PARK (auto trans) or REVERSE (manual) in order to rotate your ignition key from OFF to OFF-LOCK which locks the shifter and steering wheel.
1977-82 you must trip the small lever on the steering column near your ignition key in order to rotate your ignition key from OFF to OFF-LOCK and lock the steering wheel only.
Jim
Starting in 1977, (through 1982) rotating the ignition key to OFF-LOCK only locked the steering wheel. The shifter no longer locked. So there is no lever on the lower end of the steering column nor is there a cable coming from the transmission to the column on 1977s through 1982.
FYI, the ignition key and lock cylinder has five positions, from full CW turning CCW they are as follows:
START, RUN, OFF, OFF-LOCK, and ACCESSORY
You cannot turn your ignition key from OFF to OFF-LOCK unless:
1969-76 your shifter must be in PARK (auto trans) or REVERSE (manual) in order to rotate your ignition key from OFF to OFF-LOCK which locks the shifter and steering wheel.
1977-82 you must trip the small lever on the steering column near your ignition key in order to rotate your ignition key from OFF to OFF-LOCK and lock the steering wheel only.
Jim
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Hook What? Back up? Your car is newer than a 77. It is functioning properly.