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

 

Don't you need to be in reverse to take the key out ... or something like that ?
I have an automatic ... similar cable ... maybe I can't take the key out without being in Park.

 

I do not know I hope someone does

 

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.

 

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 ???

 

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

 

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

 

Wait until you have a slight transshift cable problem....

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!

 

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

 

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

 

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