Ok, So I have had some free time on my hand and got back into the 76 to see if I could get it running.

Problem: Unable to get the key to turn to the "off" where I could remove my key. I can turn it to "start" and it will pop back to "run" but that is all I can do. So my car sets in the garage with the battery unhooked and I can't drive it. :-(

So, I have dropped the steering col a bit and removed the ignition switch from under the dash. I can see the rod that slides the switch but I am still unable to get the key to turn back to the off posistion. So I think that the switch is not the problem. I have purhcased a new key Cylinder ($14.00 at AutoZone) and pulled the steering wheel and parts down to where I should be able to release it.



Over on the right hand side there are three spots that can access the ket cylinder. Well, the first one is a blank hole with no access... The next two sort of have access to it. The middle hole has a very small slot at the end that might take a very small screwdriver, the left one has a bigger hole in it but I am not sure how much access it really has. Where do I need to press to get the Key Cylinder out? The service manual images leave alot to desire.


I have more pictures of the take down if anyone else wants them. (Maybe Jim for his Steering Col site....) :-)

 

If the only problem is getting the key to the off position, have you checked the interlock cable? If you want the lock cylinder out the key has to be in a certain position to release the lock tab. I think that position is "off". But can't remember for sure. Check the interlock cable first, I don't think a bad cylinder will cause the "no off" problem. I got to spend many hours dealing with that on a 76 as well. Look at your new cylinder, find the licking tab and see what position the key needs to be in to make that tab appear in one of those holes.

 

Well, the service manual said that it had to be in the run poistion. They were right. I went out and tried it a little while after I posted the message and was able to remove the cylinder. That was the problem. Even out of the column I could not get the cylinder to turn into the Off spot. Once I dropped in the new clyinder I was able to turn it on and off. I got everything put back together and took her for a test spin... No problems starting and stopping it!!!! YEAH!!! My girl is getting better...

The day my key got stuck I also got a break light. I have not drove the car in about 4 months and really noticed that my the breaks are really really soft now. At least now I can get it up on the jack stands without having to push her. :-)

 

It just never ends. Good luck, sounds like you have some bleeding to do.