'71 ignition switch not locking and smoking
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
'71 ignition switch not locking and smoking
Hi all,
Key started getting hard to turn back to "lock" position on my '71 sb and then wouldn't go back at all. Also noticed it now goes into reverse very easy since. (Could still drive it-and key always did come out no matter the switch position)
Driving it today, smoke started coming out the steering column! Shut it off and coasted till it stopped then started the engine again until it started smoking again. Limped home that way, but I think it stopped towards the end.
Figured something wrong in the steering column. Tore it apart down to the section with the key, but the wires attached to the turn signal are in the way- don't seem to disconnect. And I can't figure out how to get the lock cylinder out from here or the rest of the "middle" part of the column to see what shorted.
The cable that attaches to the reverse input is bent up 'cause it won't slide into its sheath. The lever at the firewall where the cable attaches won't turn on the column.
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated at this point! Thanks.
Dave Kunkle
Key started getting hard to turn back to "lock" position on my '71 sb and then wouldn't go back at all. Also noticed it now goes into reverse very easy since. (Could still drive it-and key always did come out no matter the switch position)
Driving it today, smoke started coming out the steering column! Shut it off and coasted till it stopped then started the engine again until it started smoking again. Limped home that way, but I think it stopped towards the end.
Figured something wrong in the steering column. Tore it apart down to the section with the key, but the wires attached to the turn signal are in the way- don't seem to disconnect. And I can't figure out how to get the lock cylinder out from here or the rest of the "middle" part of the column to see what shorted.
The cable that attaches to the reverse input is bent up 'cause it won't slide into its sheath. The lever at the firewall where the cable attaches won't turn on the column.
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated at this point! Thanks.
Dave Kunkle
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
You didn't mention if you had a T&T or a standard (non-adjustable) type steering column. They are similar but a bit different.
There are several papers on disassembly and repair of either type column. You should be able to replace the original lock cylinder with a new one by following Paper #1 as follows:
Go to: www.corvetterfaq.com
Click on: Jim Shea's Steering Papers
Click on: Corvette Steering Papers
Scroll down to either the T&T or the Standard Steering Column Sections
Download: Disassembly & Repair Paper #1 for your type column
Download: Disassembly & Repair Pic #1 " " " "
Jim
There are several papers on disassembly and repair of either type column. You should be able to replace the original lock cylinder with a new one by following Paper #1 as follows:
Go to: www.corvetterfaq.com
Click on: Jim Shea's Steering Papers
Click on: Corvette Steering Papers
Scroll down to either the T&T or the Standard Steering Column Sections
Download: Disassembly & Repair Paper #1 for your type column
Download: Disassembly & Repair Pic #1 " " " "
Jim
