A friend of mine has a 75 vette. His Ignition switch went bad, when he inserted the key it would not turn or come out. So we put in a new switch and it also does almost the same thing. But you can move it around and get the key out. It works fine without the switch in the column. anybody have any ideas.

Thanks Larry

 

When you rotate your ignition key you are turning the lock cylinder that turns a small plastic gear. The gear engages a die cast rack that pushes and pulls on the rod that actuates the ignition switch down under the dash.

With the ignition switch removed from the column. When you rotate your ignition key, the rod coming out of the column head should move with the movement of the key. If you create resistance on the rod, does the key still turn? I am thinking that you might have a broken or worn out rack up inside the column head.

Otherwise, the problem would seem to be in the ignition switch itself. Even though you replaced it. Are you sure that you adjusted the new switch correctly? Also there is one switch for T&T columns, a different switch for standard (non-adjustable) columns. I assume you have the correct one.

If the problem is with the rack (or the plastic gear) you will have to disassemble the steering column head in order to pull the tilt pivot pins and remove the old rack. Replacement parts are available through Zip Products and most of the Vette suppliers.

It will be a whole lot easier if you remove the steering column from the car in order to work on it.

There are a series of Disassembly and Repair Papers (#1, #2, & #3); along with a blowup drawing; a paper on your steering wheel and horn parts; a paper showing steering column installation pics; and three line drawing pages to assist you in rebuilding the steering column. They are located in the Steering section at www.corvettefaq.com

A lot of information but it does take you step by step through the repair.

Good luck,
Jim

 

Thanks Jim and yes it moves the rack inside the column, but is it far enough, I'm not sure. that was my first guess that the rack is worn.

I guess I need to rename the switch replacement to the Ignition Lock Cylinder is what was replaced, Not the switch part on the column. I am going to pull the column this weekend.

Thanks Larry

 

If you need to replace your die cast rack, almost all of my Disassembly and Repair papers and pics will be of assistance. I apologize that there are so many papers, but I have tried to make them increasingly more instructive as you have to repair parts that are deeper inside the column.

http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/T&T69-...&HornParts.doc
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/T&TCol...cRev03FE04.doc
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/T&TColumnD&R102JN05.doc
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/T&TColumnD&R226NO04.doc
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/T&TColumnD&R306AP05.doc
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/T&TDi...Page122MY05.doc
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/T&TDisasmPage2.doc
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/T&TDisasmInstrPage3.doc
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/StrgC...allationPic.doc

If you have any problems during the repair operation, don't hesitate to post again.

If you have any suggestions as to making the papers easier to read; suggestions as to making them more easily understood; etc. Please contact me.

Jim