1992 vs 1994 column air bag connector
 

So.. I swapped columns as part of my auto to zf6 swap in my '94. I installed the column from the '92 because I wanted the ignition interlock for the manual.

Anyhow, when I went to plug in the airbag connector at the bottom of the column I found it was different on the '92 vs '94.. Anyone else notice this?

-- Joe

I might have expected that - your '94 is 1st year of dual SIR. Did you install '92 complete with steering wheel? Do you have an after-market wheel or intending/wanting to use your '94?


If the mating connector '92 & '94 were the same (at the air bag) after some research maybe you could just swap the SIR coil from the '94 column to the '92.

If park lock cable is defeated why couldn't you just use the M6 cylinder?

This turned into a bigger issue than I originally thought.

I did a auto->ZF6 swap on my '94 sourcing parts from a '92 I had. I bolted the column in, intended on re-using my '94 wheel and airbag. The first obstacle was the connector at the BASE of the column. I spliced the '94 connector, and then realized I couldn't use my '94 wheel and airbag.

After more poking around I found a few problems with the '92 column, something is goofy with the windshield wiper switch and the horn doesn't work. So I may go back to the '94 column.

It's not so simple to just change the lock cylinder on the auto column, since it's got the spring loaded cable back mechanism. The second you 'unlock' the column it springs down and you cannot lock the column unless you push back on the mechanism. It looks like the column needs to be completely disassembled to remove that mechanism.

-- Joe

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...25b235fa9f.jpg
It It does appear that the column would need to be disassembled down to the shroud, but with the column on a bench maybe that's not a terrible price to pay. Image seems deceptive I believe. The pin #75 is actually covered by the shroud.

*** I should maybe mention it is on a '90 - '93 column that I have here. The shroud is actually different (by part #'94 - '96)

In all my years and all the engines and cars I've built, I admit I've never taken apart a steering column..

I guess I better study the FSM and decide if I can convert the auto column to a manual using parts sourced from the '92 column..

-- Joe

I doubt you need any of the '92 parts - you just need to defeat the back-drive in the shroud. You could I guess use the cylinder & key and if VATS is still active on the '94 just use a correct key or maybe disable. I just turned my column ('92) over with the hazard button up and the shroud seems to have a cavity for accessing the pin for back drive. The rod & rack #76 might need removed or re-positioned but looks doable.

Key and cylinder after removing back-drive I'm quite sure should fix you.

I made a bunch of key's for the '92 manual lock cylinder to match my VATS value to start the car. I wanted to use the '92 column because it has the push button ignition lock, which I think is safer in a manual car.

If I disassemble the column enough to get the lock cylinder out, can I disable the back drive and use the manual lock cyl ? If so I'd like to try that option.

-- Joe

I wouldn't think you'll have an issue. Here's a '94 - '96 shroud and you can see the cavity. I don't know that if you actually just put the back-drive in the RUN position and secure it, if maybe then you just need to swap the cylinder. I've never needed to change a column A4 to M6. I'd try securing it first in the RUN position after removing the A4 cylinder.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Steering-Co...cAAOSw~gRV04rH

Move your ignition switch rod and see if maybe there's a notch to drive out pin or whatever without removing a thing.

Ever see this happen? Looks like the back of the wheel stayed behind.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...c98e280497.jpg

I've disassembled to this point and I cannot see how to disable the back drive.. The shroud cannot come off unless I disassemble further, and I don't have the tool to remove the tilt spring.

Where do you see the pin for the back drive?

I'm not even sure I understand how this works.. It appears when the back drive is UP into the shroud it allows the lock to move back, but I can't tell what pin or whatever is moving and blocking that operation.

-- Joe

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...460801ec61.jpg

Here is the back-drive and spring. You can see where the pin retains it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1984-1996-C...ss!25425!US!-1

If the link doesn't stick search eBay for 7840475

The tilt spring is an easy removal. Defeated I'd think might only require anchoring the back-drive in the down position then put lock housing back together with M6 cylinder and try. Damn shame you need a steering wheel to finish this off.

With a screwdriver rotate the plastic ignition pinion and see if it exposes the pin to drive out. I've never had a need to defeat the back-drive. Over hauling a column you don't tamper with it!!

I saw that actually earlier when searching, I just can't visualize how that prevents the mechanism from coming all the way back when it's forward. The FSM shows the components but not a very good operational diagram. I wish I had a junk column to just investigate.

This column has no slop or anything and I didn't want to disassemble it much further.

I'm tempted to cut a little of the shroud away, I don't think it would be visible when the hush panel is together.


-- Joe

So I completely tore this down and rebuilt it. I removed the cable back drive mechanism, used oversized tilt pins, greased everything and installed the manual trans lock cyl. Absolutely perfect with no play.

The manual column I had unfortunately is junk well at least the part that the tilt pins press into - they are ovaled and even oversized pins won't fix the slop.

In decades of wrenching I'd never done a column rebuild before. I wish i had done this years ago, these are actually quite easy to do.

I decided to ditch the airbag and go with an aftermarket 6 bolt wheel. If I ever sell the car, I can include the factory wheel + airbag module if the guy wants it, but I'll probably just keep this car. Maybe one day make it a track car. who knows.

-- Joe