What would make my ignition key stick on the first position past lock? I can turn it past there, but not back to the lock position. It will turn to the second position past lock and activate the electric fuel pump but turning past that will not activate the starter. I just got the Steeroids hooked up today and went to start it but nada. That's when I noticed the key won't turn all the way back. I've been spinning the column all around while hooking up the Steeroids, not considering the postion it was in when I took the original steering off. But that shouldn't make any difference, I should be able to spin the steering shaft several revolutions without hurting any kind of alignment, right? I think the key not turning all the way back and the starter not activating are part of the same problem but what's the solution?

Oh, I forgot to mention, I've got the column stripped down to where I can see all the turn signal innards. The little rod that is supposed to come out and lock the wheel won't come out, obviously, since the key won't turn back to lock.

Brett :thumbs:


[Modified by Brettmc, 5:29 PM 9/6/2003]

 

There is a cable that hooks up to the transmisson. Reverse on a 4 speed or park on an automatic. This cable hooks to the column just in front of the firewall. Dis-connect it, move the lever and see what happens. If the key is still stuck, the key itself may be worn. Get a new key made from the codes by a locksmith. A copy of a worn key won't work. Mine would get stuck from time to time. I thought the lock was bad. I called a locksmith to re-key a new lock so I could retain my original keys.. He looked at my keys which looked fine to me and said they were worn. He made new keys based on what he thought it should be and the work like new.

 

I did loosen the column at the firewall and the dash so I could move it over towards the Steeroids u-joints. I don't remember seeing a cable but I'll get out in the morning and check on it. Thanks!

Brett :thumbs:

 

Do a search for "key stuck" in C3 and archives and you will find some past threads. And don't forget about Jim Shay's papers at FAQ. http://www.corvettefaq.com/listing.asp?group=7

:seeya

 

C3 Strg Column Back Drive System w/Manual Transmission

The system has a back drive cable connected to the reverse lever on the Corvette manual transmission. When you shift into REVERSE, the back drive cable pushes the lever on the lower end of the steering column to the full UP position. (The lever can be seen by opening your hood and looking down under your brake master cylinder).

With the lower column lever in any other position than full UP (floor shifter in REVERSE) this gate inside the column head is kept closed. With it closed, you are prevented from turning your ignition key to OFF-LOCK (and locking your steering wheel). You can turn your ignition key to the START, RUN, and OFF positions but not to the OFF-LOCK position until the lower lever is in the full UP position. (This effectively keeps you from locking your steering column with your vehicle moving forward; i.e your manual transmission is in REVERSE).

Conversely, when you shift into REVERSE and the lever is pushed to full UP and you now turn the ignition key to OFF-LOCK this now locks the gate such that your lever cannot be moved out of the full UP position. So now when you try to move your shifter out of REVERSE, your shifter tries to pull on the cable but the column lever is locked. Only when you turn your ignition key from OFF-LOCK to any other position is the lever released and now you can shift out of REVERSE and the cable can pull the lever to a lower position.

Some owners have just wired their lower column lever in the full UP position and just do not hook up the back drive cable. This will make it possible for you to turn the ignition lock to OFF LOCK and lock the steering wheel from turning even though the car can be moving forward.

 

Thanks, Jim. I found that during my Steeroids install, mucking around with the column, the lever fell down to the bottom position. I raised the lever and the key comes out but it still won’t activate the starter.
I’ve got another thread entitled "no power to starter" explaining this.

Brett :thumbs: