Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Steering wheel won't lock, key switch won't turn off
| Steering wheel won't lock, key switch won't turn off [message #105853] |
Sat, 13 November 2010 15:14  |
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batman
Messages: 100
Registered: January 2004
Location: Benbrook, TX
Karma: -3
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Senior Member |
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Interesting problem today on the way home.
Most of the time, folks have trouble starting a GMC.
Today, I tried to turn off the GMC and no luck.
Put the lever in park, but the steering wheel does not lock in place and so the key switch will not turn to the off position. I did manage to kill the engine with an alternate method.
I'm guessing it has to do with the steer/shifter linkage not locking. Anyone got tips on this one before I start tearing everything apart?
eugene
benbrook, tx
77 Eleganza II, Howell EFI + EBL
http://gmc.backyardwildlife.com
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| Re: Steering wheel won't lock, key switch won't turn off [message #105857 is a reply to message #105853] |
Sat, 13 November 2010 20:18  |
George Beckman
Messages: 1085
Registered: October 2008
Location: Colfax, CA
Karma: 11
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Senior Member |
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| batman wrote on Sat, 13 November 2010 13:14 |
Interesting problem today on the way home.
Most of the time, folks have trouble starting a GMC.
Today, I tried to turn off the GMC and no luck.
Put the lever in park, but the steering wheel does not lock in place and so the key switch will not turn to the off position. I did manage to kill the engine with an alternate method.
I'm guessing it has to do with the steer/shifter linkage not locking. Anyone got tips on this one before I start tearing everything apart?
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Eugene,
We had the inside of the steering wheel fail also. Ours was a little different as it failed when stopped. In a queue for a dump station, ours failed. I had just run the macerator and climbed into my seat, gave the key a crank and clunk. The key just sort of spun but the coach would not start. It did not take me long to figure out that it was in park and would not come out and the steering was locked.
Of course vanity didn't want the pusher behind to think anything was wrong with "that old coach".
I started working with the rod that goes down to the start switch. I was pulling on the shifter pretty hard, laying on my bac. Fiddling with it, it suddenly came out of park. Step one. Using a pair of pliers and a screwdriver I worked the rod up and got it to start. Step two. I turned the wheel a bit and it was free. I drove out of the way and explored. My key still works, but only the steering lock.s It does nothing to the shifter or the starter rod.
I got home with a coat hanger operating the starter switch.
I was short on time and thought I would make a real fix 2000 miles away at our friends, Randy and Margie's shop. In the meantime I put a rod I made from an old .22 cleaning rod. It comes up to the left of the steering column and has a handy ring on the end.
The bad news was that when Randy and I started taking the wheel apart to install a cruise control on the turn signal the column barfed out a piece of pot metal that was bent and broken. A pretty good sized hunk. We had no idea where to get another and were working against time to get on to Pueblo.
I am embarrassed to say, we still drive with the key to unlock and the cleaning rod to start and run. Pull one click and ignition goes on. Pull against a spring and the starter engages. Let go and it runs. To shut it off, push down on the rod. Backwards but makes me think of a diesel tractor.
Of course you can pull the rod without the key on... Danger... to drive away without the key "on" as the steering is locked. The other danger is if you push too far down, it goes into Acc and will run down the battery in time.
I don't know if the offending pot metal piece is available and thought maybe someday I would put a different steering column in. Or, maybe I will use the cleaning rod. The piece of pot metal I got out did not give me great confidence in its quality or design.
'74 Eleganza, SE, Howell + EBL
Best Wishes,
George
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| Re: Steering wheel won't lock, key switch won't turn off [message #105861 is a reply to message #105853] |
Sat, 13 November 2010 22:11 |
C Boyd
Messages: 2629
Registered: April 2006
Karma: 18
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Senior Member |
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| batman wrote on Sat, 13 November 2010 16:14 |
Interesting problem today on the way home.
Most of the time, folks have trouble starting a GMC.
Today, I tried to turn off the GMC and no luck.
Put the lever in park, but the steering wheel does not lock in place and so the key switch will not turn to the off position. I did manage to kill the engine with an alternate method.
I'm guessing it has to do with the steer/shifter linkage not locking. Anyone got tips on this one before I start tearing everything apart?
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Sir: The locking pin is spring loaded and locks the steering wheel when the key is in lock or acc position. Since your key will not lock it could be several problems? I would start by removing the ignition switch on the bottom of the column on the outside above the neutral safety/ backup light switch. The ignition switch has a rod going to it from the key mechanism. If the key will go to lock with the switch off, the problem is the switch. If not the problem is in the column and will need to be gone into. It could be the key cyl assembly, or the gear that operates the rod going to the ignition switch or the pot medal tilt assembly which is 2 pieces held together with pivot pins. Mine was the pot metal busted. If you need to replace the tilt assembly, it is just as easy to get a mid 80s Caddy tilt and telescopic column and marry them together and use the added features available of the switches on the stalk. (headlight dimmer, elec wiper and washer switches, late model cruise, cornering lights, headlight flash to pass) The link below should walk you thru it. Read all the article before starting. I am on the Black list. If I can help just call..
http://www.gmceast.com/technical/Sowers_Steering_Column_Upgrade_Repair.pdf
C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
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| Re: Steering wheel won't lock, key switch won't turn off [message #105862 is a reply to message #105857] |
Sat, 13 November 2010 22:14 |
C Boyd
Messages: 2629
Registered: April 2006
Karma: 18
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Senior Member |
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| George Beckman wrote on Sat, 13 November 2010 21:18 |
| batman wrote on Sat, 13 November 2010 13:14 |
Interesting problem today on the way home.
Most of the time, folks have trouble starting a GMC.
Today, I tried to turn off the GMC and no luck.
Put the lever in park, but the steering wheel does not lock in place and so the key switch will not turn to the off position. I did manage to kill the engine with an alternate method.
I'm guessing it has to do with the steer/shifter linkage not locking. Anyone got tips on this one before I start tearing everything apart?
|
Eugene,
We had the inside of the steering wheel fail also. Ours was a little different as it failed when stopped. In a queue for a dump station, ours failed. I had just run the macerator and climbed into my seat, gave the key a crank and clunk. The key just sort of spun but the coach would not start. It did not take me long to figure out that it was in park and would not come out and the steering was locked.
Of course vanity didn't want the pusher behind to think anything was wrong with "that old coach".
I started working with the rod that goes down to the start switch. I was pulling on the shifter pretty hard, laying on my bac. Fiddling with it, it suddenly came out of park. Step one. Using a pair of pliers and a screwdriver I worked the rod up and got it to start. Step two. I turned the wheel a bit and it was free. I drove out of the way and explored. My key still works, but only the steering lock.s It does nothing to the shifter or the starter rod.
I got home with a coat hanger operating the starter switch.
I was short on time and thought I would make a real fix 2000 miles away at our friends, Randy and Margie's shop. In the meantime I put a rod I made from an old .22 cleaning rod. It comes up to the left of the steering column and has a handy ring on the end.
The bad news was that when Randy and I started taking the wheel apart to install a cruise control on the turn signal the column barfed out a piece of pot metal that was bent and broken. A pretty good sized hunk. We had no idea where to get another and were working against time to get on to Pueblo.
I am embarrassed to say, we still drive with the key to unlock and the cleaning rod to start and run. Pull one click and ignition goes on. Pull against a spring and the starter engages. Let go and it runs. To shut it off, push down on the rod. Backwards but makes me think of a diesel tractor.
Of course you can pull the rod without the key on... Danger... to drive away without the key "on" as the steering is locked. The other danger is if you push too far down, it goes into Acc and will run down the battery in time.
I don't know if the offending pot metal piece is available and thought maybe someday I would put a different steering column in. Or, maybe I will use the cleaning rod. The piece of pot metal I got out did not give me great confidence in its quality or design.
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C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
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| Re: Steering wheel won't lock, key switch won't turn off [message #105863 is a reply to message #105857] |
Sat, 13 November 2010 22:54 |
C Boyd
Messages: 2629
Registered: April 2006
Karma: 18
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Senior Member |
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| George Beckman wrote on Sat, 13 November 2010 21:18 |
| batman wrote on Sat, 13 November 2010 13:14 |
Interesting problem today on the way home.
Most of the time, folks have trouble starting a GMC.
Today, I tried to turn off the GMC and no luck.
Put the lever in park, but the steering wheel does not lock in place and so the key switch will not turn to the off position. I did manage to kill the engine with an alternate method.
I'm guessing it has to do with the steer/shifter linkage not locking. Anyone got tips on this one before I start tearing everything apart?
|
Eugene,
We had the inside of the steering wheel fail also. Ours was a little different as it failed when stopped. In a queue for a dump station, ours failed. I had just run the macerator and climbed into my seat, gave the key a crank and clunk. The key just sort of spun but the coach would not start. It did not take me long to figure out that it was in park and would not come out and the steering was locked.
Of course vanity didn't want the pusher behind to think anything was wrong with "that old coach".
I started working with the rod that goes down to the start switch. I was pulling on the shifter pretty hard, laying on my bac. Fiddling with it, it suddenly came out of park. Step one. Using a pair of pliers and a screwdriver I worked the rod up and got it to start. Step two. I turned the wheel a bit and it was free. I drove out of the way and explored. My key still works, but only the steering lock.s It does nothing to the shifter or the starter rod.
I got home with a coat hanger operating the starter switch.
I was short on time and thought I would make a real fix 2000 miles away at our friends, Randy and Margie's shop. In the meantime I put a rod I made from an old .22 cleaning rod. It comes up to the left of the steering column and has a handy ring on the end.
The bad news was that when Randy and I started taking the wheel apart to install a cruise control on the turn signal the column barfed out a piece of pot metal that was bent and broken. A pretty good sized hunk. We had no idea where to get another and were working against time to get on to Pueblo.
I am embarrassed to say, we still drive with the key to unlock and the cleaning rod to start and run. Pull one click and ignition goes on. Pull against a spring and the starter engages. Let go and it runs. To shut it off, push down on the rod. Backwards but makes me think of a diesel tractor.
Of course you can pull the rod without the key on... Danger... to drive away without the key "on" as the steering is locked. The other danger is if you push too far down, it goes into Acc and will run down the battery in time.
I don't know if the offending pot metal piece is available and thought maybe someday I would put a different steering column in. Or, maybe I will use the cleaning rod. The piece of pot metal I got out did not give me great confidence in its quality or design.
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Sir: your problem could be dangerous as you have pieces falling out. I believe all GM tilt columns have the pot metal tilt mechanism and will interchange with the GMC column. The later columns with the switches on the stalk lower 1/2 have a guide hole cast on the side for the dimmer switch rod and the upper 1/2 has a hole in the side for the washer switch but will work without the features in the GMC. If you have a problem finding one, call me. I am on the Black list. It is about the same amount of time and work to change to a later Caddy telescopic column by using the later tilt assembly up. This should help.
http://www.gmceast.com/technical/Sowers_Steering_Column_Upgrade_Repair.pdf
C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
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| Re: Steering wheel won't lock, key switch won't turn off [message #105937 is a reply to message #105863] |
Mon, 15 November 2010 09:32 |
George Beckman
Messages: 1085
Registered: October 2008
Location: Colfax, CA
Karma: 11
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Senior Member |
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[quote title=C Boyd wrote on Sat, 13 November 2010 20:54][quote title=George Beckman wrote on Sat, 13 November 2010 21:18]| batman wrote on Sat, 13 November 2010 13:14 |
Interesting problem today on the way home.
Most of the time, folks have trouble starting a GMC.
Today, I tried to turn off the GMC and no luck.
Sir: your problem could be dangerous as you have pieces falling out. I believe all GM tilt columns have the pot metal tilt mechanism and will interchange with the GMC column. The later columns with the switches on the stalk lower 1/2 have a guide hole cast on the side for the dimmer switch rod and the upper 1/2 has a hole in the side for the washer switch but will work without the features in the GMC. If you have a problem finding one, call me. I am on the Black list. It is about the same amount of time and work to change to a later Caddy telescopic column by using the later tilt assembly up. This should help.
http://www.gmceast.com/technical/Sowers_Steering_Column_Upgrade_Repair.pdf
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The article referenced above, written by Richard Sowers, is excellent. Great, detailed photos with clear instructions. I may have to give this a try one of these times.
'74 Eleganza, SE, Howell + EBL
Best Wishes,
George
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| Re: Steering wheel won't lock, key switch won't turn off [message #105942 is a reply to message #105937] |
Mon, 15 November 2010 10:46 |
C Boyd
Messages: 2629
Registered: April 2006
Karma: 18
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Senior Member |
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[quote title=George Beckman wrote on Mon, 15 November 2010 10:32][quote title=C Boyd wrote on Sat, 13 November 2010 20:54]| George Beckman wrote on Sat, 13 November 2010 21:18 |
| batman wrote on Sat, 13 November 2010 13:14 |
Interesting problem today on the way home.
Most of the time, folks have trouble starting a GMC.
Today, I tried to turn off the GMC and no luck.
Sir: your problem could be dangerous as you have pieces falling out. I believe all GM tilt columns have the pot metal tilt mechanism and will interchange with the GMC column. The later columns with the switches on the stalk lower 1/2 have a guide hole cast on the side for the dimmer switch rod and the upper 1/2 has a hole in the side for the washer switch but will work without the features in the GMC. If you have a problem finding one, call me. I am on the Black list. It is about the same amount of time and work to change to a later Caddy telescopic column by using the later tilt assembly up. This should help.
http://www.gmceast.com/technical/Sowers_Steering_Column_Upgrade_Repair.pdf
|
The article referenced above, written by Richard Sowers, is excellent. Great, detailed photos with clear instructions. I may have to give this a try one of these times.
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Sir: to repeat myself... YOU HAVE A POTENTUALY DANGEROUS ISSUE..
pieces of potmetal falling out is not good. This needs to be repaired.. It possibly could lock the steering while you are driving it..
C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
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