Key removal

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Dec 18, 2005 | 01:10 AM

Gr8Wht

Thread Starter

CF Veteran

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 1,429

Likes: 19

From: Northern CA

St. Jude Donor '10-'12, '25

Key removal

A couple of weeks ago I took my interior apart on my 76'....yes, gutted it! Now for some reason, I can't get the key out of the ignition...

It turns, but will not pull out in the off position. I also pulled the steering wheel. How can I get it out, or what did I do to cause this?

Attached Images

Dec 18, 2005 | 03:18 AM

c3 in hawaii

Pro

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 663

Likes: 0

From: Honolulu Hawaii

hard to tell but are you in park?, sometimes you can turn the lower half of the column counterclockwise to get the key out also. hope that helps

Dec 18, 2005 | 04:16 AM

LiveandLetDrive

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 3,000

Likes: 22

From: Boulder Creek California

If you've taken the key out before you know about the little lever you have to push down while you turn it to the lock position so you can remove it (assuming it was there in '76, I'm too lazy to pull out my steering column rebuild papers). Also in many cars wiggling the steering wheel relieves tension on the lock mechanism so you might want to reinstall the wheel temporarily to see if that helps... That's all I got!

-Chris

Dec 18, 2005 | 04:30 AM

72 RAY

Instructor

Joined: Dec 2002

Posts: 151

Likes: 0

From: San Marcos CA

with c3 in hawaii,
Are you in park? I believe there is a cable that conects to the column inside the engine compartment from the trannie. If this is broken it will not let the key out also.
Good luck!

Dec 18, 2005 | 05:57 AM

kb2fzq

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 1,126

Likes: 0

From: Hudson Falls, N.Y. 76 Vette Modified L-48

Looks like a 4 speed in the pics, altho I can't find a clutch peddle...if it's an auto, it doesn't look like it's in park...no key pull out lever on 76...just off and out...looks like you might have moved something on the colunm...casing is loose in the pics...I really don't know what to say..if you can get it to the off position, the key should come right out..

Dec 18, 2005 | 07:01 AM

Jim Shea

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 6,001

Likes: 113

From: Saginaw Michigan

There is a lever on the lower end of the steering column (out under the brake master cylinder in the engine compartment). It must be in the full UP position in order for you to be able to turn your ignition key all the way to OFF-LOCK and ACCESSORY. This feature is on all 1969 through 1976 steering columns.

There should be a cable from your transmission (manual or auto) that connects to the lever. When you shift into REVERSE with manual or PARK with auto trans the cable should push the lever UP.

This link will take you to a paper that I authored that is posted at www.corvettefaq.com (Terry Rudy's websight). It covers everything you ever wanted to know about this feature.

http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/StrgCo...tems27JL04.doc

Jim Shea

Dec 18, 2005 | 08:13 AM

76project

Pro

Joined: Jan 2005

Posts: 539

Likes: 3

From: Twin Cities Minnesota

also make sure you really have the key in the proper position for removal. On the column there is a little arrow and on the ignition there is a small notch, they must be lined up for the key to remove. If they are not lining up the cylinder is not returning to the proper position.