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Topic: Keys won't come out!!!

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


Keys won't come out!!!

Posted: 9/8/12 6:39pm Message 1 of 6
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Former Member
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San Antonio, TX - USA
Joined: 8/18/2012
Posts: 53
Vette(s): Little on the rough side right now, with new paint and new interior it will be looking fine!
So in troubleshooting why the engine won't start i have looked electrically and have a new NSS ordered, but i figured i might as well switch out the ignition switch and the ignition key mechanism.  the old one started giving me trouble with occasionally not coming out and i think that the problem with the car not starting is with the key not turning right.  i have put in the new key mechanism and halfway through reinstalling all of the steering wheel i went to pull the new key out and realized it wouldn't budge, i took everything apart again and put the old one back it and that won't come out either.  so there must be something mechanically in the steering column that isn't allowing the key to function properly... i have the column apart still and will continue work on it tomorrow, and am looking for any other thoughts or imput as to what is causing the keys to get stuck...



I hope to one day be as knowledgeable as most the guys on here... but till then I'll have to just keep asking the questions with the obvious answers....
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Re: Keys won't come out!!!

Posted: 9/9/12 4:44am Message 2 of 6
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Indianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2429
Vette(s): Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses. 2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible
I can't say I'm familiar with this problem in a Vette, and I'm not sure if this would apply to a '75 or not, but I've had this problem in other cars.  Is the key in an "on" position, or is it off and won't come off.  In other cars, I've had the key refuse to budge and I've been able to turn the steering wheel to release the lock on the key.  If you haven't tried that yet, it might be worth a try
 
Good luck!



I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!


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Re: Keys won't come out!!!

Posted: 9/9/12 4:51am Message 3 of 6
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Canada
Joined: 6/19/2012
Posts: 230
Vette(s): 1975 Corvette 383 stroker w/Patriot 190 heads, Eagle stroker kit, Comp 279TH7 cam, DUI distributor, Edelbrock 7116 intake, Edelbrock 1806 carb, Hedman Hedders, TH400 w/TCI Breakaway 2400 stall, Transgo 1-2 shift kit.
Is the park/ignition interlock working. If my 75 isn't in park then the key will not come out of the ignition. If you look under the hood there is a cable on the side of the steering column hooked to a sort of lever; the other end of the cable goes to the transmission. This interlocks the ignition to prevent the removal of the key if the transmission isn't in park.


 
Build Date: May 7, 1975. 383 w/267 RWHP/310 RWTQ

Re: Keys won't come out!!!

Posted: 9/9/12 8:07am Message 4 of 6
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Former Member
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San Antonio, TX - USA
Joined: 8/18/2012
Posts: 53
Vette(s): Little on the rough side right now, with new paint and new interior it will be looking fine!
That cable wasn't even attached to that lever, also that cable is all sorts of bent out of shape at the transmission, should i just replace it or try to pull it off and fix it? 

Thanks,




I hope to one day be as knowledgeable as most the guys on here... but till then I'll have to just keep asking the questions with the obvious answers....

Re: Keys won't come out!!!

Posted: 9/9/12 12:52pm Message 5 of 6
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Manteca, CA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623
Vette(s): 1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed
 This cable problem is not uncommon. One of our forum experts recently advised another '75 owner to remove the cable and lube it, maybe with a light oil and work the cable in the housing until it free's up. It's worth a try before buying another. I've got the same job to do.


Re: Keys won't come out!!!

Posted: 9/9/12 6:11pm Message 6 of 6
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Former Member
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San Antonio, TX - USA
Joined: 8/18/2012
Posts: 53
Vette(s): Little on the rough side right now, with new paint and new interior it will be looking fine!
I have removed the cable, put a LOT of brake cleaner through it to clean it out (the desert sand fills every crevasse) and put some lube down it and after using 3 sets of plyers and my neighbor i have it back on gliding like it should!  but i still can't start the dang car but that is still in another forum...  thanks for helping me fix this one of many problems!!!



I hope to one day be as knowledgeable as most the guys on here... but till then I'll have to just keep asking the questions with the obvious answers....

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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