| Ignition Relay Switch @ Lower Steering Column [message #80381] |
Mon, 12 April 2010 19:57  |
Dave Wilson
Messages: 94
Registered: September 2009
Location: Livonia, MI
Karma:
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Hi All,
Well, we were about to return home from our 2600 mile Florida trip on Sunday when the only incident of the trip occurred in our Eleganza.
After starting the engine and kicking down the choke, I engaged Drive. Easing down the campground road, I started to give her gas to get up a hill when all that happened was revving. No more forward progress! I eased off the brake and drifted backwards to the level area of the road. Trying to get a better start, I shifted to reverse--and nothing! Back to Drive and more revving until BOOM, the wheels kicked in and I made it up the hill to the sewer cleanout area. Leaving it running while I cleaned out the holding tank, I noticed the Reverse lights were on. I asked my wife to shift from park with her foot on the brake and the backup lights stayed on!
So, with holding tank empty (at least that was easy!), I got back in and tried the old "Wilson Special"---turn it off and hope everything is fine when I restart. WRONG MOVE! Now, nothing! I could hear the ignition buzzer when I put the key in, but no starter cranking. I tried "BATT BOOST", nothing! After running the scenario by my Dad (has had his GMC since '78), we settled on removing the ignition switch relay (is this the correct part name?) at the bottom of the steering column behind the brake pedal. We had a hiccup with this over a year ago after installing a new footwell. After unhooking the wire harnesses and removing the screws on either side, I pulled it out and cycled the "switch" portion back and forth and positioned it back to the "Park" position before re-installing. For those of you that have been through this, you guessed it--it started right up and the reverse light problem went away. Total panic time only 10 minutes!
Because this is the second incident with this part, I wanted to know if:
1) this has happened to anyone else? (In my Dad's 200K + miles, he doesn't remember anything like this happening to him)
2) is the part (relay switch) the likely culprit, or a part internal to the steering column? (I read in GMCMI letter #66 page 4 about trying to position the switch "up" the column while screwing it back in, but does that really solve the problem, or is it just a temporary fix?)
3) finally, is there a replacemnt part available for this switch? We ordered one from Cinnabar and received a straight switch that doesn't work in the lower column position.
Thanks everyone that can offer assistance or experiences! Other than that, the GMC drove great and our family had another memorable trip in her.....
Dave Wilson
'77 Eleganza II
Photos @ http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/member.php?uid=2183&protype=1
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