key/ column problem
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: Denver nc
key/ column problem
I have been having trouble turning my key to start the engine on my 72 tilt telle. I have to kinda wiggle it to get it to turn. It doesn't turn to accessary either. So I searched and read about the lever having to be all the way up on the bottom of the column. I unhooked the cable to check it and the lever doesn't want to move at all. Should I be able to move it with it unhooked?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 353
Likes: 30
From: warwick rhode island
the lever should move freely. sorry to say but the only way i have been able to do a good job of adjusting everything is to remove the column from the car and do it on the bench. others may know a way to do it on the car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Sounds like maybe the key/cylinder are worn. It won't turn to the ACC position and you have to wiggle it to get to on. It's possible that it's somewhere else in the column, but I'd look at the easy parts first.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 596
Likes: 6
From: Irving Texas
The lever is just that....a metal lever connecting the rotational movement of the key switch with the rectangular lower column switch. One or both are old and messed up.
The good news, each one is cheap and available at AutoZone. The bad news, they both are kinda a pain to remove.
By your description, I would replace the ignition key switch first. (dont have to lower the column....just remove the steering wheel)
The good news, each one is cheap and available at AutoZone. The bad news, they both are kinda a pain to remove.
By your description, I would replace the ignition key switch first. (dont have to lower the column....just remove the steering wheel)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 115
From: Saginaw Michigan
You can replace the ignition lock cylinder without removing the steering column from the car. Also, new lock cylinders are readily available. That is the good news.
The bad news is that I think your problem is most likely tied to the lower lever that won't move. The lever and the cable are connected to your reverse lever (on the manual transmission) or to the transmission control lever (on the automatic trans). The lower end of the column is most likely corroded to the point that the lever can't rotate. You can try some penetrant and lubricant on the lower end of the column and see if you can free up the lever (before removing the column from the car). Then see if the ignition key will work in the lock cylinder.
If this works, you still should probably remove the column so that you can inspect the lower bearing, lubricate or replace it. And also lubricate the tube and lever where it rotates behind the lower bearing.
One other thing, if the lever hasn't been moving, every time you have been shifting into REVERSE (manual trans) or into PARK (auto trans) things have been bound up between the cable and the attachment to the transmission as well. You might have to replace the cable (there are different ones for automatics or for manual trans.)
Jim
The bad news is that I think your problem is most likely tied to the lower lever that won't move. The lever and the cable are connected to your reverse lever (on the manual transmission) or to the transmission control lever (on the automatic trans). The lower end of the column is most likely corroded to the point that the lever can't rotate. You can try some penetrant and lubricant on the lower end of the column and see if you can free up the lever (before removing the column from the car). Then see if the ignition key will work in the lock cylinder.
If this works, you still should probably remove the column so that you can inspect the lower bearing, lubricate or replace it. And also lubricate the tube and lever where it rotates behind the lower bearing.
One other thing, if the lever hasn't been moving, every time you have been shifting into REVERSE (manual trans) or into PARK (auto trans) things have been bound up between the cable and the attachment to the transmission as well. You might have to replace the cable (there are different ones for automatics or for manual trans.)
Jim
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: Denver nc
Thanks guys. I will look at it again this evening if it's not to cold. I think maybe this tilt tele was added sinice it has a 69/73 key. So if I have to change the cylinder It would be nice to get the switch and doors keyyed alike again.
Last edited by z10kl; Dec 15, 2010 at 09:12 AM. Reason: add text
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: Denver nc
I put the switch in run and it still didn't move. I sprayed PB blaster around it and bumped it downward with a board and it moved a little. Of course I couldn't remove the key then. I pulled it back up and it must have went a little farther than it was as now the clylinder moves normal all the way back to accesory. I sprayed it some more and left it for now.
Since I got the car in May I replaced the horn isolater thing in the top of the column and when I replaced my rag joint I had to pull out the shaft about 3/4 inch to the normal position.
could either of these changed anything in the column. The tranny end of the cable is not hooked to the tranny and was that way when I got the car.
Since I got the car in May I replaced the horn isolater thing in the top of the column and when I replaced my rag joint I had to pull out the shaft about 3/4 inch to the normal position.
could either of these changed anything in the column. The tranny end of the cable is not hooked to the tranny and was that way when I got the car.
Last edited by z10kl; Dec 15, 2010 at 07:02 PM. Reason: add text
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