Sorry folks. It's an 86 notchie, auto transmission. I have lowered the steering column but I can not see anything to fix/adjust.
make sure the trany selector lever is fully engaged into the park position, a penny, or anything else in there, fallen under the console cover could be keeping the lever from going all the way into the park position and in doing so could be keeping the cable from going into the fully locked position.
worn parts in the steering can cause this as well as the wheel being in a jammed position, try wiggling the wheel when you are trying to turn the key and see if it makes a difference.
Steve
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't
The car is under construction, interior removed so I can see all the parts, everything, tranny shift lever is at the mechanical stop point, steering wheel is not jammed in any position left/right. What part in the chain of the mechanical process stops the key from turning?
The car is under construction, interior removed so I can see all the parts, everything, tranny shift lever is at the mechanical stop point, steering wheel is not jammed in any position left/right. What part in the chain of the mechanical process stops the key from turning?
The car is under construction, interior removed so I can see all the parts, everything, tranny shift lever is at the mechanical stop point, steering wheel is not jammed in any position left/right. What part in the chain of the mechanical process stops the key from turning?
I have seen broken parts above slip down behind the actuator rack do this to but you are going to have to completely disassemble the entire column to see that, this turn signal switch part braking off and falling behind, or just a bent rod caught on the outer column. now I got to go before breakfast gets cold.
good luck.
Steve
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't
There is a cable that runs from the steering column to the shifter that may be out of alignment and/or broken.
This cable releases they key when the shifter is in park, I would start there.
I thought it was a rod, but I haven't been in a column in years so I could be wrong, refer back to the link I posted of the column blow up link. see part 34 in the link.
Steve
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.
[This message has been edited by 84fiero123 (edited 10-07-2013).]
When I did my 3800 swap I started with a 85 coupe with a Duke and the Isuzu 5-speed.
As I was installing the 3800 and the automatic tranny from the donor car as a unit I converted the car from a manual to an auto.
I removed the clutch master cylinder, lines, pedal assembley and the manual steering column and shifter.
When I began to install the steering column and auto shifter I had to run the cable from the auto column to the shifter, this allows the key to be removed when the auto shifter is put into park.
I did look at Steve's link and #34 and I don't recall now if the cable did connect to a rod which would make sense, but that cable is what allows the key to turn that last little bit to remove it when the shifter is placed in park.
Did you try turning the key to off while you move the steering wheel back and forth slightly ? Ive seen them jam turning OFF and ON before on GM cars.
I did mention that earlier but if the column is out it can still jam the key, I had it happen once on a road trip from MA to TN in an old Ford Ranger, pulled into a rest stop and let the truck roll into the curb and it did that. but like I and Roger said it can happen anytime even with the column out.
quote
Originally posted by fierohoho:
I did look at Steve's link and #34 and I don't recall now if the cable did connect to a rod which would make sense, but that cable is what allows the key to turn that last little bit to remove it when the shifter is placed in park.
The rod is what connects to the switch at the bottom of the shaft that actually puts the electrics in motion so to speak. I don't think the cable you are talking about is in that picture.
Steve
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't
Thank all of you gentlemen for your input. I can now remove my key from the ignition. I have fixed/resolved the problem. I did it by removing the screws that hold the ignition system switches to the steering column and then sliding that package up and down the column until (while holding it in place) I was able to turn the key to the lock position and remove the key. I then elongated the holes that hold the package down so that the new position could be secured with the screws. Thank you all again.
