69 Ignition Switch Question
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Prospect CT
69 Ignition Switch Question
When I turn the key I get power and the dash lights come on but nothing else happens. I used to be able to get it to start if I twisted the sleeve on the column, now nothing. Is this a problem with the ignition lock cylinder not making the right connections or is it an ignition switch problem? How difficult is it to remove the lock cylinder from the column?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
It helps to know more about your car. Stick shift (clutch pedal switch) or automatic (Neutral safety switch on shifter). Standard (non-adjustable) steering column or T&T type.
Changing the ignition lock cylinder (in the column head) is not that bad. Changing the ignition switch (on top of the steering column jacket down under the dash) requires that you drop the steering column. This location makes the car harder to steal by hot wiring it. It also makes it more difficult to service the switch.
To remove the lock cylinder you will need a steering wheel hub puller and a locking plate compresser tool. You can usually borrow, rent, or purchase them from various sources.
Complete instructions on Disassembly & Repair of your steering column can be found at:
www.corvettefaq.com
click on Jim Shea's Steering Papers
click on Corvette Steering Papers
scroll down to either the 1969-79 Standard Column section or the 1969-82 Tilt & Telescoping Column section.
Download the appropriate Disassembly & Repair Paper #1 and Pic #1. These papers will walk you through replacing the lock cylinder.
To replace the ignition switch you will also require D&R Paper #2 and Pic #2 & #3.
Jim
Changing the ignition lock cylinder (in the column head) is not that bad. Changing the ignition switch (on top of the steering column jacket down under the dash) requires that you drop the steering column. This location makes the car harder to steal by hot wiring it. It also makes it more difficult to service the switch.
To remove the lock cylinder you will need a steering wheel hub puller and a locking plate compresser tool. You can usually borrow, rent, or purchase them from various sources.
Complete instructions on Disassembly & Repair of your steering column can be found at:
www.corvettefaq.com
click on Jim Shea's Steering Papers
click on Corvette Steering Papers
scroll down to either the 1969-79 Standard Column section or the 1969-82 Tilt & Telescoping Column section.
Download the appropriate Disassembly & Repair Paper #1 and Pic #1. These papers will walk you through replacing the lock cylinder.
To replace the ignition switch you will also require D&R Paper #2 and Pic #2 & #3.
Jim
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Prospect CT
Thanks for the help. It is a 350 with a standard trany. I just checked the neutral lock out just to be safe and when I put a little more pressure on the steering column sleeve it started right up. It feels like there is something loose or not making the right contact in the column. I'm hoping it is something simple in the column so I don't have to mess with the ignition switch itself.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
From what you describe it seems as if the ignition switch is worn out or out of adjustment. In either case you are going to need to drop the column to gain access to it. There is no adjustment other than loosening two fasteners that hold the switch on the column jacket and moving the switch.
Jim
Jim
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Maybe your shifter lockout cable is kinked and its not allowing the lever under the brake booster to go all the way up.Try disconnecting the cable and pulling the lever up and see if that helps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
On a 1969 C3 steering column the lower lever not being in the full UP position will prevent you from removing your ignition key from the steering column. However, the lower lever position should not prevent your from reaching the START, RUN, or OFF ignition switch positions.
Jim
Jim
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
On a 1969 C3 steering column the lower lever not being in the full UP position will prevent you from removing your ignition key from the steering column. However, the lower lever position should not prevent your from reaching the START, RUN, or OFF ignition switch positions.
Jim
Jim
Jim if the T&T was loosening up couldnt this cause a push one way on the column to give the rod just enough more to start?Seems I remember by pulling up on the steering wheel this will allow the rod to move enough sometimes.
mhc64 try turning your key to start and pulling up on the steering wheel at the bottom and see if this helps.
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Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Prospect CT
Thanks, I should have mentioned that it is a straight column, not T&T. Is the shroud forward of the key supposed to turn. It seems that if I turn it counter-clockwise it will start. If I turn it clockwise it will actually lock the key and I cannot turn it all the way back so that I can remove it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
The plastic shroud is not supposed to move. The shroud covers a die cast bowl that rotates with the lower lever. You should be able to see the bowl move by peaking through the gap where the plastic shroud meets the tilt housing.
Turning the bowl counterclockwise would be the same as moving the lower lever to the UP position. So now it seems as if your problem is the cable from the transmission and the lower column lever. The only adjustment for the cable is to loosen the two nuts at the bottom of the column near the floor (inside the car - under the dash.) With them loosened you should be able to move the heavy metal plate that is in the engine compartment under the brake booster and get a limited amount of adjustment of the cable with respect to the lower lever.
It could be that your ignition switch is also out of adjustment as well. BTW, I posted a complete writeup on adjusting the ignition switch on the "NO KEY START" topic about two days ago on this same forum.
Jim
Turning the bowl counterclockwise would be the same as moving the lower lever to the UP position. So now it seems as if your problem is the cable from the transmission and the lower column lever. The only adjustment for the cable is to loosen the two nuts at the bottom of the column near the floor (inside the car - under the dash.) With them loosened you should be able to move the heavy metal plate that is in the engine compartment under the brake booster and get a limited amount of adjustment of the cable with respect to the lower lever.
It could be that your ignition switch is also out of adjustment as well. BTW, I posted a complete writeup on adjusting the ignition switch on the "NO KEY START" topic about two days ago on this same forum.
Jim
Last edited by Jim Shea; Oct 16, 2008 at 08:36 AM.