Ignition switch tumbler doesn't rotate to all positions malfunction
09-10-2015, 01:53 PM
#41
Race Director
On my 71 I cut the lock out cable and used a section of the original cable and cable outer shield to hold the bar in the release out position.
Enclosed is a picture of the "home made piece" it works great.
The lock out was a problem in the mud, snow and ice. The cars today will probably never see this kind of weather.
The home made piece works great. I just did a friends 72.
The auto if I remember has to be in park and the stick in reverse.
Enclosed is a picture of the "home made piece" it works great.
The lock out was a problem in the mud, snow and ice. The cars today will probably never see this kind of weather.
The home made piece works great. I just did a friends 72.
The auto if I remember has to be in park and the stick in reverse.
03-02-2016, 05:23 PM
#42
1st Gear
Member Since: Mar 2016
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1981 ignition barrel suddenly jammed
So I was out in the vette (1981) friday night last, I parked up and went to turn the ignition off to find that it would no longer turn to the off position properly. I was able to turn it far enough towards OFF to kill the engine, but not far enough to go to the usual detent OFF position, or to where the key can be removed. So I am unable to get key out. Then I found that I can now only rotate it in the other direction to ON (instrument lights come on) but am unable to rotate it any further than that to the normal starter motor activate position. In the end I had to jumper the starter motor solenoid with a screw driver to get it started and get home. It remains like this - I have never had any problems with the ignition prior, it has always worked just fine, detenting at all the stops including ACC.
Kinda wishing I had the trans/column interlock cable which this thread successfully addresses - but I don't :-(
Any ideas anyone ?
Kinda wishing I had the trans/column interlock cable which this thread successfully addresses - but I don't :-(
Any ideas anyone ?
03-03-2016, 02:31 PM
#43
Le Mans Master
CeeDee, the attached file is a paper prepared by Jim Shea, a Forum member on the "1969 THROUGH 1982 CORVETTE TILT & TELESCOPING STEERING COLUMN DISASSEMBLY & REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS".
At the top of page 11 there is a diagram titled "Adjustable Steering Column". It is a diagram of the Rack & Sector that when turned by the key, moves the ignition switch (located above your feet on top of the steering column jacket) to the various positions necessary to Start, Run and Turn Off the engine. The rack is a notorious weak point and can break and no longer allow the rod to move the ignition switch into the desired position.
If the problem is a broken rack, and it sounds as if it might, at the top of page 6 are the instructions on removing the Rack & Sector. Reassembly instructions are at the bottom of page 10.
You can also PM Jim Shea directly and ask questions of him and he will be most helpful in diagnosing the issue. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-jim-shea.html
Good luck... GUSTO
At the top of page 11 there is a diagram titled "Adjustable Steering Column". It is a diagram of the Rack & Sector that when turned by the key, moves the ignition switch (located above your feet on top of the steering column jacket) to the various positions necessary to Start, Run and Turn Off the engine. The rack is a notorious weak point and can break and no longer allow the rod to move the ignition switch into the desired position.
If the problem is a broken rack, and it sounds as if it might, at the top of page 6 are the instructions on removing the Rack & Sector. Reassembly instructions are at the bottom of page 10.
You can also PM Jim Shea directly and ask questions of him and he will be most helpful in diagnosing the issue. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-jim-shea.html
Good luck... GUSTO
Last edited by GUSTO14; 03-04-2016 at 08:28 AM.
03-04-2016, 12:02 AM
#44
Race Director
Kinda wishing I had the trans/column interlock cable which this thread successfully addresses - but I don't :-
If the lock out is not up, the key can jam in different locations.
On my 71, I went with a 5 speed - I rigged a piece to hold the trans lock in the up position. This may help:
If the lock out is not up, the key can jam in different locations.
On my 71, I went with a 5 speed - I rigged a piece to hold the trans lock in the up position. This may help:
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MSGT-R (03-04-2016)
03-09-2016, 12:44 PM
#45
Instructor
I have a '78 and mine is missing all together as well. My problem is that I can't get my key to go anti clockwise such that I can turn on the accessories. I can turn it clockwise and stop at the first spot but than the HVAC fan runs and will drain the battery.
Anybody else have this problem?
Anybody else have this problem?
Last edited by dobedave; 03-09-2016 at 12:45 PM.
03-10-2016, 10:45 PM
#46
Race Director
Check the engine side of the steering column. there is a lever that holds the key in the lock to provide a theft determent, you cant take the key out unless the car is in park or reverse.
The lever must be fully in the up position.
The lever must be fully in the up position.
03-10-2016, 10:52 PM
#47
Instructor
I'll have to go check are you sure the 78 is like that? Right now I Fractured my back so I will have to wait a few days to check.
03-11-2016, 07:58 AM
#48
Instructor
03-12-2016, 07:23 PM
#49
Race Director
According to the CHILTON books the column is the same from 69 to 82. 68's had the dash key, 69 was the first with a column key.
There is a cable from the shifter / transmission lever to the column lock as pictured above.
Last edited by BLUE1972; 03-12-2016 at 07:25 PM.
03-12-2016, 08:52 PM
#50
my 78 does not have that lever arm on the column. TH350.
my 75 does.
my 75 does.
03-13-2016, 03:57 PM
#51
Instructor
I have a factory assembly manual for a 78 and it shows nothing on the column like the older C3's.I'm thinking starting a post about 1978 & up key stuck in the ignition. This is a picture of my 78 steering column.
03-14-2016, 10:18 AM
#52
Race Director
I have CHROME BUMPER cars, 69 - 73. My friends 80 is a "put together" (not original) car and has the arm.
As soon as I get a chance I'll stop by the local Vette shop, he has a stock low miles 79 on the floor.
If the mechanic - the older guy is there I'll talk with him.
Don't use WD40 - it has a wax preservative in it and can gum up the little springs and detents. I would use LOCK EASE which has a solvent and graphite. I would slowly work little drops into the key slot.
As soon as I get a chance I'll stop by the local Vette shop, he has a stock low miles 79 on the floor.
If the mechanic - the older guy is there I'll talk with him.
Don't use WD40 - it has a wax preservative in it and can gum up the little springs and detents. I would use LOCK EASE which has a solvent and graphite. I would slowly work little drops into the key slot.
03-14-2016, 02:41 PM
#53
Race Director
Stopped by the Corvette shop and the older mechanic was there. He said " the steering columns are almost the same except : for .. 69-76 have the key lock arm, 77 is a stand alone ( pretty sure it's 77) , 78 - 82 don't have the lock. He said the main reason the key gets stuck is crud in the key mechanism. He recommended using a combo of Lock Ease and Electrical cleaner to clean out the springs and detents in the key slot. " He said work it gentle and try to use as little as possible. He said if not you have to take it apart and clean and lube the mechanism.
There were no plastic bumper cars there for me to check..
Hope this helps.
Going back in a few days to pick up a few parts ... will check if there are any cars there..
There were no plastic bumper cars there for me to check..
Hope this helps.
Going back in a few days to pick up a few parts ... will check if there are any cars there..
Last edited by BLUE1972; 03-14-2016 at 02:43 PM.
03-14-2016, 04:25 PM
#54
Instructor
Stopped by the Corvette shop and the older mechanic was there. He said " the steering columns are almost the same except : for .. 69-76 have the key lock arm, 77 is a stand alone ( pretty sure it's 77) , 78 - 82 don't have the lock. He said the main reason the key gets stuck is crud in the key mechanism. He recommended using a combo of Lock Ease and Electrical cleaner to clean out the springs and detents in the key slot. " He said work it gentle and try to use as little as possible. He said if not you have to take it apart and clean and lube the mechanism.
There were no plastic bumper cars there for me to check..
Hope this helps.
Going back in a few days to pick up a few parts ... will check if there are any cars there..
There were no plastic bumper cars there for me to check..
Hope this helps.
Going back in a few days to pick up a few parts ... will check if there are any cars there..
03-16-2016, 08:53 PM
#56
Race Director
Some years have the tab, on the side of the column inside the car, to push down to get the key out. I would also work the tab and clean it the best I could.
Last edited by BLUE1972; 03-16-2016 at 08:54 PM.
04-24-2018, 10:14 PM
#57
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jul 2000
Location: Saginaw Michigan
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All Corvettes from 1969 thru 1976 have a lever on the lower end of the steering column and a cable that is connects it to the transmission. So this cable system was used on all Corvettes (manual shift and automatic) for eight model years
Starting in the 1977 model year and extending through 1982), the lower lever and cable was eliminated and a small finger lever (called a key release) was added to the steering column head just behind the lock cylinder. You had to trip the lever with your finger in order to rotate your ignition key to OFF-LOCK and ACCESSORY.
Jim
Starting in the 1977 model year and extending through 1982), the lower lever and cable was eliminated and a small finger lever (called a key release) was added to the steering column head just behind the lock cylinder. You had to trip the lever with your finger in order to rotate your ignition key to OFF-LOCK and ACCESSORY.
Jim
Last edited by Jim Shea; 04-24-2018 at 10:19 PM.
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