Just returned from cruise nite on the back end of a flat bed due to a broken ignition switch. Key is stuck in the lock and I have no stops etc. in the switch. Went to start it up to go home and the key stayed "ON" with the starter spinning. Shut it off manually and now the key moves as if nothing is in the column. Having not torn into a column or ignition before, any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

I started the repair and found the ignition switch and key lock to be in working order. I replaced both anyways and found no change to my problem. I also noted no spring return to the starter off position.

Any ideas on these new findings?

I found the problem, a small cam gear opposite of the ignition key, has a missing tooth causing the key to to spin but not do anything. Only place I found with a replacement part was Zip's Corvette.

|UPDATED|6/30/2002 10:54:18 PM|/UPDATED|

Mike,

I just completed this job two days ago. I got a lot of info from a web page www.corvettefaq.com The steering column is one heck of a bugger to work on. First, I think your tumblers in the keyswitch are ruined, so you will need a new lock. I bought one at my neighborhood NAPA store, $23.00 and change. There is an electrical switch under the dash, on top of the steering column, but I don't think that is your problem. My ignition did the same thing, but the starter did not stick. I just unhooked the battery, and the engine died. I was lucky, as it happened in my garage.. I also went to my manuals, and they had good pics, and ideas on the project.

Do you have tilt/tele steering column. The disassembly is different for them. One thing to remember, be gentle with the plastic pieces, they are very brittle from being so old...
One thing that was in the info, was to fold a towel lengthwise, and lay it on your dash, to put the pieces of the steering column on right to left, as you take them out. Then when you assemble it, they are in line to put back in. The biggest problem I had was a big C clip, under the steering wheel, that holds the pieces together, was a real bear to put back in, as you had to push against a heavy spring to reinstall it. I did the pushing with a homemade tool, and had my brother put the C clip in the shaft.

If you have big problems with it, e-mail me, and I'll try my best to help you. It is a real pain....


|QUOTE|murf70 said: Just returned from cruise nite on the back end of a flat bed due to a broken ignition switch. Key is stuck in the lock and I have no stops etc. in the switch. Went to start it up to go home and the key stayed "ON" with the starter spinning. Shut it off manually and now the key moves as if nothing is in the column. Having not torn into a column or ignition before, any help or suggestions would be appreciated. |/QUOTE|

Mike, do you have Tilt-tele column? If so, I have blow ups of the whole thing which may help you in the disassembly. Let me know, I could email them to you.
Chris

|UPDATED|6/28/2002 3:56:57 PM|/UPDATED|

Yes, I do have tilt/tele. Any help would be truly appreciated. Its summer time and I want to drive!

|QUOTE|murf70 said: Yes, I do have tilt/tele. Any help would be truly appreciated. Its summer time and I want to drive!|/QUOTE|
mike, I can email you those blow ups in the morning if you want. I'm at work now and they are on my home computer.
Chris

Mike,
Did you look at the webpage that I sent you? All of the instructions and exploded views of the steering column are in there. Just click on www.corvettefaq.com All of the info is right there. I used it for my key installation, and it worked great...

When you get the page opened, click on steering, and all of the different proceedures are listed. Look for the one that pertaines to your car. The guy who put out this webpage is a retired engineer from Saginaw Steering.
|QUOTE|murf70 said: Yes, I do have tilt/tele. Any help would be truly appreciated. Its summer time and I want to drive!|/QUOTE|

|UPDATED|6/29/2002 8:36:53 AM|/UPDATED|

I would appreciate the blow ups!

I wish I would have known about that web site last year before I sent my column off to a rebuildeer. Although I guess I should not complain very much. The column came back like it just came from the factory for under 200.00.

Glenn,

That website has everything there is to know about corvettes listed on it. Who needs a manual when you have that??? He gives you hints about certain hard things to work on, etc.etc. Easy ways to do them and so on...



|QUOTE|glenns said: I wish I would have known about that web site last year before I sent my column off to a rebuildeer. Although I guess I should not complain very much. The column came back like it just came from the factory for under 200.00.|/QUOTE|