1969 Ignition Lock Cylinder
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8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2010
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1969 Ignition Lock Cylinder
i am in the process of changing out the lock cylinder. Had the steering column rebuilt and the guy didnt put the cylinder back in. Well when i did, it started to stick. hard to turn and remove the key. So i bought a new cylinder and now i cant even remove the key and the cylinder will not go into the acc. position. Any ideas? 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
On the lower end of the steering column there is a lever. Rotate the lever so that it is in the full up position. (About 1 o'clock as viewed down the column from the driver seat.) You will probably find that now your lock cylinder can be rotated to the OFF-LOCK and ACCESSORY positions.
BTW, there are five positions with the steering column and lock cylinder.
START with spring return to the RUN position. Then OFF. You will not be able to rotate any further then OFF until you move the lever full up. Then you can reach OFF-LOCK (and then you can pull your key out of the lock cylinder) and finally ACCESSORY.
Jim
BTW, there are five positions with the steering column and lock cylinder.
START with spring return to the RUN position. Then OFF. You will not be able to rotate any further then OFF until you move the lever full up. Then you can reach OFF-LOCK (and then you can pull your key out of the lock cylinder) and finally ACCESSORY.
Jim
Last edited by Jim Shea; Sep 30, 2010 at 12:41 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 135
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From: Western Loudoun County VA
And you are not alone on this one, I sat in front of that stupid steering wheel for an hour trying to figure out why I couldn't get my key out that was working just fine earlier in the day. Finally gave up, grabbed the AIM, a beer and went off to read. I was missing the cable that connected the trans to that lever on the column which prevents key removal if not in Reverse on a manual.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Or in PARK on a automatic. The columns in a Corvette don't care if the car is an automatic or manual shift. The columns are the same. But the shift cables are a little different. The GM Steering Column/Transmission Shift Interlock System was used from 1969 through 1976 on Corvettes. After 1976 they used a small lever next to the ignition key that you had to trip in order to rotate the key from OFF to OFF-LOCK and ACCESSORY.
If you are interested, this paper explains how the system was used throughout all the GM passenger car lines.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...tems27JL04.doc
Jim
If you are interested, this paper explains how the system was used throughout all the GM passenger car lines.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...tems27JL04.doc
Jim
