Steering Column lock
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,887
Likes: 1
From: Hill AFB area Utah
Steering Column lock
I'm taking the colum out of my 74 and the cable that runs from the 4 speed trans to the column that rotates the column lock ?? the manual called it the backup lock or something similar what the heck is its funtion? does it turn on the back up lights when in reverse ? thanks 
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,255
Likes: 82
From: Brampton Ont.
On a 75 automatic the cable runs from the drivers side ( along the side of the transmision) up to the steering column on the firewall. It locks the steering when in park, and also enables the key to be removed.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,887
Likes: 1
From: Hill AFB area Utah
I have had the column apart turning the key to OFF locks the column by pressing a pin up into the notched rotator plate attached to the steering shaft so maybe the cable inables the key to be removed ???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
This lock mechanism is a safety feature courtesy of big brother that requires you to have the transmission in reverse on a 4-speed to remove the key from the ignition switch - when everything is working properly.
Some folks just disconnect the cable from the transmission and manually place the column lock mechanism in the proper position to remove the key. (It's at the base of the column in the engine compartment.) This overcomes a recalcitrant column lock and also allows you to remove the key without having to put it into reverse.
If you do this, you will eventually find that you can't remove the key from the ignition and not understand why,… having forgotten that the column lock still functions ...if you accidentally bump it out of position while working down there near the column.
GUSTO
Some folks just disconnect the cable from the transmission and manually place the column lock mechanism in the proper position to remove the key. (It's at the base of the column in the engine compartment.) This overcomes a recalcitrant column lock and also allows you to remove the key without having to put it into reverse.
If you do this, you will eventually find that you can't remove the key from the ignition and not understand why,… having forgotten that the column lock still functions ...if you accidentally bump it out of position while working down there near the column.
GUSTO
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
This link will take you to everything you ever wanted to know about C3 Corvette steering column/transmission shift interlock systems.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/StrgCo...tems27JL04.doc
Jim
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/StrgCo...tems27JL04.doc
Jim
Racer
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Dallas County Texas
Yep! That and anti-theft....(please!)
Originally Posted by GUSTO14
This lock mechanism is a safety feature courtesy of big brother
GUSTO
GUSTO
I removed the little rod in the column itself and do on all cars I own - the one that locks the wheel when the key is off (to prevent theft)...
I have a '78 Eldo that that thing LOCKED ON in the middle of a curve.
I damned near wrecked, but, fortunately it was weakened enough it broke with enough persuasion after I had only gone up on the curb with one set of wheels and was down to 20mph or so....
Some of these features were just stupid - I understand the concerns to make theft harder (please - not possible without an active locater system like Lo-Jack) and concerns over idiot drivers running over people leaving their cars in other than park, but these cures were worse than the disease!
Another one - "Neutral StopStart Switch".....um....and if your car for some unrelated reason dies in the middle of the freeway? Are you REALLY supposed to come to a complete stop to put the vehicle in "Park" before you can reattempt starting? Idiotic. (Note the return of STARTER BUTTONS on many models.....) The starter should be engageable in ANY gear - just to allow emergency attempts at restarting. Stupid drivers who screw up and hit the starter again while it's running are on their own!
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,887
Likes: 1
From: Hill AFB area Utah
Thanks Jim BTW when removing the column when you remove the plate that hold that cable in how does the lever come off the column ? I do not think the column will come out with it still attached
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
The lower lever does not come off the column. The floor pan has a cutout so that the lever will pass through. The lever should be in the all the way UP position in order for it to pass through the dash.
Jim
Jim
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,887
Likes: 1
From: Hill AFB area Utah
Yep I took it out last nite I just wondered because the flange covers the hole so it was not apparent that it was cut to fit the lever and all. Thanks for your help it popped right out with the instructions you had provided in a earlier post . I used it like a check list and 1 2 3 it was out on the bench. Now off to corvette steering to be rehab'd Thanks again