C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

82 Engine Won't Shut Off

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Yesterday | 07:51 AM
  #1  
jthornton's Avatar
jthornton
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 1,599
From: Poplar Bluff MO
Default 82 Engine Won't Shut Off

So I drove over to the shop to get an alignment yesterday and when I turned the key off the engine didn't stop running. I tried a few times then just pulled the batt/tach plug off the distributor to shut it down. It does start so that kinda points to the switch maybe.

So I assume it might be the ignition switch on top of the steering column is broken or loose or the rack and pinion for the key cylinder.

I'm digging through Jim Shea's papers to find the steering column papers. I've managed to get all three papers using the way back machine.

Edit: I'm not finding anything in Jim Shea's papers about the ignition switch...

JT

Last edited by jthornton; Yesterday at 08:05 AM.
Reply
Old Yesterday | 08:31 AM
  #2  
jthornton's Avatar
jthornton
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 1,599
From: Poplar Bluff MO
Default

Digging through my collection of C3 information I found this pdf that shows the ignition switch.


JT
Reply
Old Yesterday | 09:31 AM
  #3  
robertea's Avatar
robertea
Burning Brakes
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 796
Likes: 794
From: Chapin SC 29036
Default

I have a 69, but the ignition switch is located in the same place. I think they even used the same switches for many years. If you lower the steering column, you should be able to get to the switch. It is a PITA because there might be several other things that have to be removed also, i.e. AC tubes. The switch comes with an alignment pin installed and you connect the rod from the mechanical switch and mount the new switch and fasten it in place. Once it fits in place then you remove the pin and pit it in a safe place in case you ever need it again. The Tilt column uses a different switch than the fixed column. Surprisingly, the switches are still fairly cheap. Test it before reinstalling everything to make sure all the alignment functions work correctly. You don't want to pull it apart again if you don't have to.
Reply
Old Yesterday | 09:56 AM
  #4  
pltmgr's Avatar
pltmgr
Melting Slicks
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,144
Likes: 805
From: Chapel Hill NC
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

I cannot give you any guidance but Id throughly investigate why your having this problem before Id tear the column apart.
Reply
Old Yesterday | 11:28 AM
  #5  
jthornton's Avatar
jthornton
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 1,599
From: Poplar Bluff MO
Default

@robertea Thanks I did find a link in the wayback machine that had a link to Jim Shea's papers that he archived.

JT

Reply
Old Yesterday | 11:33 AM
  #6  
jthornton's Avatar
jthornton
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 1,599
From: Poplar Bluff MO
Default

Originally Posted by pltmgr
I cannot give you any guidance but I'd thoroughly investigate why your having this problem before I'd tear the column apart.
What would you investigate?

No need to tear the column apart the switch is on top, you do need to drop it to get to the switch.

JT
Reply
Old Yesterday | 03:51 PM
  #7  
jthornton's Avatar
jthornton
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 1,599
From: Poplar Bluff MO
Default

Well I can verify that the rack and pinion is working, now to get the steering column out of the car. I do see some Bubba wiring that I need to look at when I get it out.

JT
Reply
Old Yesterday | 04:06 PM
  #8  
Rebelyell's Avatar
Rebelyell
Drifting
 
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 1,626
Likes: 570
Default

Originally Posted by jthornton
Well I can verify that the rack and pinion is working
now to get the steering column out of the car. I do see some Bubba wiring that I need to look at when I get it out.

JT
Does your '82 have rack & pinion steering ?
IIRC, those came with recirculating ball (Saginaw steering box) like all previous C3 ?
Did this car's PO retrofit it with rack & pinion steering ?
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Yesterday | 04:25 PM
  #9  
jthornton's Avatar
jthornton
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 1,599
From: Poplar Bluff MO
Default

Originally Posted by Rebelyell
Does your '82 have rack & pinion steering ?
IIRC, those came with recirculating ball (Saginaw steering box) like all previous C3 ?
Did this car's PO retrofit it with rack & pinion steering ?
The rack & pinion I was referring to is the key rack & pinion the moves the rod that slides the ignition switch from position to position. On the drawing above it's called the ignition switch actuator assembly.

JT
Reply
Old Yesterday | 05:30 PM
  #10  
MotorHead's Avatar
MotorHead
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,672
Likes: 199
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Default

I am going off something I remembered from from 20 yrs ago and that you need to install a diode in the alternator wire (very easy fix) so the current from the alternator flows only one way (out) and dose not feed back into the alternator from ignition components keeping the engine from turning off.
Reply
Old Yesterday | 06:18 PM
  #11  
jthornton's Avatar
jthornton
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 1,599
From: Poplar Bluff MO
Default

Originally Posted by MotorHead
I am going off something I remembered from from 20 yrs ago and that you need to install a diode in the alternator wire (very easy fix) so the current from the alternator flows only one way (out) and dose not feed back into the alternator from ignition components keeping the engine from turning off.
It's been working fine for the last year and a half and just quit yesterday. I put a meter on the switch and B3 and G2 has continuity to B1 (battery) all the time no matter what position the switch is in so I suspect the switch is bad after 44 years.

JT
Reply
Old Yesterday | 06:30 PM
  #12  
jthornton's Avatar
jthornton
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 1,599
From: Poplar Bluff MO
Default

Hmm, it's out. I put a jack stand under the steering column to support it while unplugging the plugs. I had to rotate it 90° CW to clear the brake pedal.



It was actually not that hard to get the steering column out of the car. I did have to rotate and twist a bit to get the lower flange past the brake pedal.



Might as well clean it up and paint it while it's out. I see Bubba has been hard at work on the turn signals so I'll replace that and the dimmer switch while it's out and easy to work on. I also think I'll change the lower bearing as it has some play. The rest feels good.

So much for going for a ride this weekend in the C3.

JT
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 82 Engine Won't Shut Off





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:08 PM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE