Shift without key in
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 154
Likes: 1
From: Hanover Maryland
Shift without key in
I have an 81 automatic and can shift the transmission without the key in the ignition. Is this normal for older cars or is there something wrong somewhere?
Thanks for any help
Thanks for any help
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
I think the '81 should still have had the 'lockout' cable which interconnected the steering column/ignition and the transmission shift linkage (Park position). Have you checked to see if that cable is still there and connected with the column and tranny?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 154
Likes: 1
From: Hanover Maryland
I haven't checked for a cable. Where would that be connected? It seems like a lot of people are saying the same thing. I was just wondering if it was normal or something wrong with mine.
Thanks everyone for your input
Thanks everyone for your input
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
One more time! The 1969 through 1976 Corvettes had a cable that attached to the lever on the lower end of the steering column (out under the brake master cylinder.) When you rotated your ignition key to the OFF-LOCK position, it locked both the shifter and the steering wheel
Starting in 1977, (through 1982) rotating the ignition key to OFF-LOCK only locked the steering wheel. The shifter no longer locked. So there is no lever on the lower end of the steering column nor is there a cable coming from the transmission to the column on 1977s through 1982.
FYI, the ignition key and lock cylinder has five positions, from full CW turning CCW they are as follows:
START, RUN, OFF, OFF-LOCK, and ACCESSORY
You cannot turn your ignition key from OFF to OFF-LOCK unless:
1969-76 your shifter must be in PARK (auto trans) or REVERSE (manual) in order to rotate your ignition key from OFF to OFF-LOCK which locks the shifter and steering wheel.
1977-82 you must trip the small lever on the steering column near your ignition key in order to rotate your ignition key from OFF to OFF-LOCK and lock the steering wheel only.
Jim
Starting in 1977, (through 1982) rotating the ignition key to OFF-LOCK only locked the steering wheel. The shifter no longer locked. So there is no lever on the lower end of the steering column nor is there a cable coming from the transmission to the column on 1977s through 1982.
FYI, the ignition key and lock cylinder has five positions, from full CW turning CCW they are as follows:
START, RUN, OFF, OFF-LOCK, and ACCESSORY
You cannot turn your ignition key from OFF to OFF-LOCK unless:
1969-76 your shifter must be in PARK (auto trans) or REVERSE (manual) in order to rotate your ignition key from OFF to OFF-LOCK which locks the shifter and steering wheel.
1977-82 you must trip the small lever on the steering column near your ignition key in order to rotate your ignition key from OFF to OFF-LOCK and lock the steering wheel only.
Jim
