Help Steering column experts - Key won't come out
Thread Starter
Supporting Lifetime Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 454
Likes: 4
From: Lovettsville Virginia
Help Steering column experts - Key won't come out
I have a '69 coupe that I just swapped out the steering column to a newly rebuilt tilt/tele from a '76. Everything fit perfectly, all connections were the same, and it operates fine. Only problem is that I can't get the key out of the ignition switch.
Is there some sort of theft prevention feature, or did I miss a connection somewhere????
Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks - Jon
Is there some sort of theft prevention feature, or did I miss a connection somewhere????
Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks - Jon
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
Does the key turn all the way to the off position? I believe 76 had a small lever near the key that had to be depressed in order to get the key to turn to the lock position and lock the steering wheel. If it's turning that far and still won't come out, then there may be issues with the key lock cylinder, maybe some lubricant sprayed in around and a lot of jiggling will get it out.
Thread Starter
Supporting Lifetime Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 454
Likes: 4
From: Lovettsville Virginia
It turns back far enough to turn everything off, but not all the way back to line up with the 'lock' mark on the column. There's no lever or button that I can find.
I just looked at my old column and the key doesn't come out of that either now that it's out of the car. There must be some sort of electrical connection that only allows it to be removed for safety reasons (like in gear, park brake set, etc.) I just can't find it...
I just looked at my old column and the key doesn't come out of that either now that it's out of the car. There must be some sort of electrical connection that only allows it to be removed for safety reasons (like in gear, park brake set, etc.) I just can't find it...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
Ok, look at the base of the column near the rag joint to see if there is a lever sticking out of the column. The lever is for a trans interlock, so the key switch could not be turned to lock unless the trans is in park for auto, or reverse for stick. The lever if it has one needs to be in the far up position for the key to turn to lock. Nothing electrical will stop the key from turning.
Thread Starter
Supporting Lifetime Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 454
Likes: 4
From: Lovettsville Virginia
Bingo!
That was exactly the problem. Rotated it up and the key came right out. Need to look - I think there was a spring or something that I forgot to put back in. Took it out about 5 months ago and just got the new engine running yesterday, so just missed it.
Thank you very much for the help!
That was exactly the problem. Rotated it up and the key came right out. Need to look - I think there was a spring or something that I forgot to put back in. Took it out about 5 months ago and just got the new engine running yesterday, so just missed it.
Thank you very much for the help!
