im lost.... need help please
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Atascocita TX
im lost.... need help please
ok... the key ignition was replaced and was working fine for about 6 months. now the key turns but nothing happens. when i turn the key to the start pos. it dosnt spring back like its supposed to. when i talked to the locksmith he said that it might be some kind of gear or something. any ideas? :confused:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Re: im lost.... need help please (ry)
on the back ot the key cylender ther is a gear, this gear rides on a rack that when the key is turned pulls up on a rod to operate the ignition switch that is mounted on the steering column down near the base. it sounds like the gear on the lock cylender has come off or maybe the ignition switch is bad.
Does it start if you turn the key to the start position?
Steve :steering:
Does it start if you turn the key to the start position?
Steve :steering:
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 22
From: Marietta Ga.
Re: im lost.... need help please (ry)
look in corvettefaq for the Jim Shea articles on steering and you will find information on the column.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/listing.asp?group=7
:seeya
http://www.corvettefaq.com/listing.asp?group=7
:seeya
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Atascocita TX
Re: im lost.... need help please (stpman)
on the back ot the key cylender ther is a gear, this gear rides on a rack that when the key is turned pulls up on a rod to operate the ignition switch that is mounted on the steering column down near the base. it sounds like the gear on the lock cylender has come off or maybe the ignition switch is bad.
Does it start if you turn the key to the start position?
Steve :steering:
Does it start if you turn the key to the start position?
Steve :steering:
nothing happens when i turn the key
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Re: im lost.... need help please (ry)
Sounds like the gear on the back of the ignition cylinder has come off (loose).
As said above there is lots of valuable information in Jim Shea's papers
Steve :steering:
As said above there is lots of valuable information in Jim Shea's papers
Steve :steering:
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 29,077
Likes: 0
From: Deep East Texas
Re: im lost.... need help please (ry)
There is a short piece of linkage at the end of the rod that's part of the ignition. That linkage broke on my car (the day after I bought it) and it did exactly what you're discribing.
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Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 29,077
Likes: 0
From: Deep East Texas
Re: im lost.... need help please (ry)
I can't find a blow up picture on the net of a steering column, but you have to pull the column and take it apart. The hard part of the job was finding the part. My local GM dealer finally found one that was NOS in Georgia. If you have the same problem, you might have to get it from a Corvette wrecking yard. I'd have a good locksmith check everything else before you go tearing into the column, because it is a tedious job.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 22
From: Marietta Ga.
Re: im lost.... need help please (Mack76)
I can't find a blow up picture on the net of a steering column,.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/T&TBlowupRev05NO03.jpg
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 29,077
Likes: 0
From: Deep East Texas
Re: im lost.... need help please (72GACRZR)
I can't tell from the diagram which piece it is. The one I thought it was is a bolt. Maybe somebody else will know. It's been 4 or five years since I did it. It seems like it was a piece of barstock, about two inches long with ears on it. I can't remember if the ears broke off or the piece itself broke. I'm not much help here, sorry. Maybe somebody else can remember better than I can.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 2
From: New Zealand
Re: im lost.... need help please (ry)
um...is this someting i should take to a mechanic or try myself. looks like a PITA.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 434
Likes: 3
From: Cleveland Ohio
Re: im lost.... need help please (standup)
Had this happen to me.
The key will turn freely in the ignition and nothing will happen.
Part number 37 on the above diagram will break. It's called a "rack" and on one end it has gearing on it which mate to a gear turned by the lock cylinder. It's a standard GM replacement part. I have seen a replacement kit at Autozone in the section where there are the miscellaneous replacement parts (brake pedal pads, window cranks, exhaust bolts). I think it's labeled with GM Rack??? $5 - $10 kit if I remember right (comes complete with the rack, the gear and the spring)
It's a PITA to replace but it can be done. Take the steering colume apart following a hayne's manual or what's on the forum. Get the broken part out so you know what your looking for.
Good luck!
The key will turn freely in the ignition and nothing will happen.
Part number 37 on the above diagram will break. It's called a "rack" and on one end it has gearing on it which mate to a gear turned by the lock cylinder. It's a standard GM replacement part. I have seen a replacement kit at Autozone in the section where there are the miscellaneous replacement parts (brake pedal pads, window cranks, exhaust bolts). I think it's labeled with GM Rack??? $5 - $10 kit if I remember right (comes complete with the rack, the gear and the spring)
It's a PITA to replace but it can be done. Take the steering colume apart following a hayne's manual or what's on the forum. Get the broken part out so you know what your looking for.
Good luck!