Ignition Switch Problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Bethalto Illinois
Ignition Switch Problem
I just bought a new extra key for my 1986 Coupe and everything was working swell until yesterday. Suddenly, as I am in a parkling lot waiting for my wife, I turn the key to the accessory position to leiten to the radio, and the key will NOT turn.
I messed around for 10 minutes, trying all possible ways of getting the key to turn (short of breaking the dumb thing off), and nothing worked. I went home and got the original key and there was no difference.
Is there a fix for this or am I going to have to buy a new wsitch assembly, new keys, and take the entire steering column apart...HELP :banghead:
I messed around for 10 minutes, trying all possible ways of getting the key to turn (short of breaking the dumb thing off), and nothing worked. I went home and got the original key and there was no difference.
Is there a fix for this or am I going to have to buy a new wsitch assembly, new keys, and take the entire steering column apart...HELP :banghead:
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 13,002
Likes: 4
From: Paint Hill NC
Re: Ignition Switch Problem (zog)
This may be stating the obvious but are you sure the tires don't have the wheel lock in a bind? Force the steering wheel to either side while trying to turn the key.
Harold
Harold
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
Re: Ignition Switch Problem (zog)
I was wondering the same thing. My '86 has never been able to go into acc position, though the owners manual says it is suppose to. I'd like to know what I have to do to fix it.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park Fl
Re: Ignition Switch Problem (zog)
You can check the ignition switch at the bottom of the column. It might be broken or out of positon, the rod connecting it to the ignition switch could be bent, or you have something broken in the column.
Does the notch line up with the lock arrow for the ignition switch on the column when you remove the key?
I had a similar problem and found it to be the spring that engages the steering wheel lock cam was binding holding up the ignition switch. I also could not get Acc. until I corrected that.
Does the notch line up with the lock arrow for the ignition switch on the column when you remove the key?
I had a similar problem and found it to be the spring that engages the steering wheel lock cam was binding holding up the ignition switch. I also could not get Acc. until I corrected that.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Bethalto Illinois
Re: Ignition Switch Problem (Kens86)
When I take the key out of the lock, the arrow aligns as it should....I will check the steering column and all the other gismos...thanks :chevy
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park Fl
Re: Ignition Switch Problem (zog)
These links helped me through rebuilding the column in the car.
http://www.chevyasylum.com/column/tiltcol.html
http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/susp..._steering.html
You will have to remove the carpeted bezel under the dash and drop the column from the dash hangar to get at the ignition switch if it is the problem.
My issue was with the cam lock pin that I needed to get to by removing the wheel and and assorted hardware in the column to get to it.
Also I spent about 2 hours seaching this forum under Steering Column, Tilt Wheel, Ignition Switch, and VATs to collect tidbits of info not in the Haynes or Chilton's Manual.
You will get it! I went into it knowing if I broke it I could always take it somewhere. It never came to that and I learned something new !
:yesnod:
http://www.chevyasylum.com/column/tiltcol.html
http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/susp..._steering.html
You will have to remove the carpeted bezel under the dash and drop the column from the dash hangar to get at the ignition switch if it is the problem.
My issue was with the cam lock pin that I needed to get to by removing the wheel and and assorted hardware in the column to get to it.
Also I spent about 2 hours seaching this forum under Steering Column, Tilt Wheel, Ignition Switch, and VATs to collect tidbits of info not in the Haynes or Chilton's Manual.
You will get it! I went into it knowing if I broke it I could always take it somewhere. It never came to that and I learned something new !
:yesnod:
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park Fl
Re: Ignition Switch Problem (Rick86)
These links helped me through rebuilding the column in the car.
http://www.chevyasylum.com/column/tiltcol.html
http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/susp..._steering.html
You will have to remove the carpeted bezel under the dash and drop the column from the dash hangar to get at the ignition switch if it is the problem.
My issue was with the cam lock pin that I needed to get to by removing the wheel and and assorted hardware in the column to get to it.
Also I spent about 2 hours seaching this forum under Steering Column, Tilt Wheel, Ignition Switch, and VATs to collect tidbits of info not in the Haynes or Chilton's Manual.
You will get it! I went into it knowing if I broke it I could always take it somewhere. It never came to that and I learned something new !
:yesnod:
http://www.chevyasylum.com/column/tiltcol.html
http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/susp..._steering.html
You will have to remove the carpeted bezel under the dash and drop the column from the dash hangar to get at the ignition switch if it is the problem.
My issue was with the cam lock pin that I needed to get to by removing the wheel and and assorted hardware in the column to get to it.
Also I spent about 2 hours seaching this forum under Steering Column, Tilt Wheel, Ignition Switch, and VATs to collect tidbits of info not in the Haynes or Chilton's Manual.
You will get it! I went into it knowing if I broke it I could always take it somewhere. It never came to that and I learned something new !
:yesnod:
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