Can't turn key
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Can't turn key
hello everyone, I'm having trouble with my 76 corvette. I had bought it from someone who lost the keys so I replaced the ignition cylinder and now the key won't turn. It is stuck in the lock position and it won't turn even with the locking plate out and steering wheel off. The new ignition cylinder turned fine when outside of the car. That safety lock out cable on the automatic transmission is disconnected. I'm not very familiar with corvettes. It I consider myself very mechanically capable. Any advice is appreciated! I searched around for a while and got nothing
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,028
From: eastern NC
Faner, welcome to the Corvette Forum. I think you will quickly find it one of the most useful tools in your tool box. 
Just because the cable is disconnected, doesn't mean the arm at the bottom of the column hasn't moved. Check that the arm (that connects to the cable) is in the full up position. If you can move it up and it unlocks the key, you'll want to find a way to lock it in the full up position. A short piece of safety wire should do it until you can find a more permanent solution.
Good luck... GUSTO
Just because the cable is disconnected, doesn't mean the arm at the bottom of the column hasn't moved. Check that the arm (that connects to the cable) is in the full up position. If you can move it up and it unlocks the key, you'll want to find a way to lock it in the full up position. A short piece of safety wire should do it until you can find a more permanent solution.
Good luck... GUSTO
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Thank you, I tried pulling the cable up and I couldn't move it up or down more than about an inch. I tried a crowbar to move it up and it still didn't move. It is either all the way up or something is wrong
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,028
From: eastern NC
Good luck... GUSTO
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
You might try disconnecting the cable from the arm at the end of the column and see if it will then move. The cable may be frozen in its sheath. If you disconnect it and it moves up a bit, see if that releases the key. If the lever does move freely when disconnected from the cable, you'll at least know the cable is bad.
Good luck... GUSTO
Good luck... GUSTO
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
the cable wasn't attached to the arm. I was messing with it inside the arm as my friend was attempting to connect the steering shaft and as he connected it something let loose and now I can move the key about 75 percent of the time. Fine with me. It was nice to hear it run. I just have to figure out how to reassemble the steering wheel now. Lol. Any links to that would be greatly appreciated!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,028
From: eastern NC
the cable wasn't attached to the arm. I was messing with it inside the arm as my friend was attempting to connect the steering shaft and as he connected it something let loose and now I can move the key about 75 percent of the time. Fine with me. It was nice to hear it run. I just have to figure out how to reassemble the steering wheel now. Lol. Any links to that would be greatly appreciated!
In case you have the Tilt-Telescopic column the second paper may be of more assistance.
Good luck... GUSTO
Last edited by GUSTO14; Sep 29, 2016 at 09:30 PM.
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