Help! C3 ign switch/starting trouble

[Michael C.]

Went out to start my 76 this evening. In storage since it's nasty in Wisconsin this time of year. Turned the switch to on: no power, no gauge lights, no fan. Turned switch to start: nothing. Battery is fully charged. I can fiddle with the key for a period of minutes in the on position and the get instrument/idiot lights to come on but when I turn to start: nothing. About every fifth time I get the lights to come on I can also get the starter to attempt to engage but only for half a second and then everything goes dead again. It has done this before but usually only about once a season and the next turn of the key would start it. Now it seems as if it is totally done...

To top it off, now the key cylinder will not come back to the lock position and consequently I cannot remove the key. The key buzzer still works so I have to disconnect the battery...

Does this sound like a bad ignition switch? If so, is dropping the tilt/tele column and replacing the switch myself a viable option? I am fairly capable with engines and brakes, etc. but have never been in a GM locking column or taking one out or apart.

Thoughts and advice? Thanks.

Mike

[Don Izzo]

Re: Help! C3 ign switch/starting trouble

Mike, is your car an automatic tranny. My 68 is and I found that the neutral safty switch located under the center console was out of adjustment. I had to be sure that the shifter was fully forward in the park position or I would encounter the same symptoms as you describe. I didn't adjust it because I thought it would aid as an anti-theft device! If your car is an auto try pushing the shift lever forward while in park and see if it starts. Hope this helps you!

[Don Izzo]

Re: Help! C3 ign switch/starting trouble

Mike, is your car an automatic tranny. My 68 is and I found that the neutral safty switch located under the center console was out of adjustment. I had to be sure that the shifter was fully forward in the park position or I would encounter the same symptoms as you describe. I didn't adjust it because I thought it would aid as an anti-theft device! If your car is an auto try pushing the shift lever forward while in park and see if it starts. Hope this helps you!

[Michael C.]

Re: Help! C3 ign switch/starting trouble

Don,yes,it is an automatic. Would I be able to put it in neutral and start it? Also, what would explain being unable to turn the key to the lock position? Thanks.

[Michael C.]

Re: Help! C3 ign switch/starting trouble

Don,yes,it is an automatic. Would I be able to put it in neutral and start it? Also, what would explain being unable to turn the key to the lock position? Thanks.

[Wayne W.]

Re: Help! C3 ign switch/starting trouble

Check the connection at the battery.

[Wayne W.]

Re: Help! C3 ign switch/starting trouble

Check the connection at the battery.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Help! C3 ign switch/starting trouble

And where the ground attaches to the frame, as well as the block-to-frame strap near the right side motor mount.

Patrick

[Patrick H.]

Re: Help! C3 ign switch/starting trouble

And where the ground attaches to the frame, as well as the block-to-frame strap near the right side motor mount.

Patrick

[Rod Wagner]

Re: Help! C3 ign switch/starting trouble

Also check the connection on the starter itself. A loose connection there will sometimes produce an intermittent problem.

[Rod Wagner]

Re: Help! C3 ign switch/starting trouble

Also check the connection on the starter itself. A loose connection there will sometimes produce an intermittent problem.

[John H.]

Re: Help! C3 ign switch/starting trouble

Not a C3 guy, but I think your car has a "backdrive" cable from the shift lever on the transmission to a lever at the bottom of the steering column which prevents the key from being turned to the "Lock" position unless the shift lever is in "Park"; that cable may be out of adjustment.

[John H.]

Re: Help! C3 ign switch/starting trouble

Not a C3 guy, but I think your car has a "backdrive" cable from the shift lever on the transmission to a lever at the bottom of the steering column which prevents the key from being turned to the "Lock" position unless the shift lever is in "Park"; that cable may be out of adjustment.

[Jim T.]

Re: Help! C3 ign switch/starting trouble

John your are right about the cable from the tranmission going to a lever at the bottom of the steering column, this could be out of adjustment on his car. Easy to check, disconnect it and manually move it. Another area to check is the connector plug that commects the neutral safety switch to the console wiring harness. I have experienced the plug disconecting and car not starting, this problem was created by me previously disconnecting it, not somethng that happens on its own. Another problem I had in not starting once was the starter brushes wearing down after 15 years of use. First thought it was a bad starter solenoid, it was the brushes in the starter. Replaced the brushes.

[Jim T.]

Re: Help! C3 ign switch/starting trouble

John your are right about the cable from the tranmission going to a lever at the bottom of the steering column, this could be out of adjustment on his car. Easy to check, disconnect it and manually move it. Another area to check is the connector plug that commects the neutral safety switch to the console wiring harness. I have experienced the plug disconecting and car not starting, this problem was created by me previously disconnecting it, not somethng that happens on its own. Another problem I had in not starting once was the starter brushes wearing down after 15 years of use. First thought it was a bad starter solenoid, it was the brushes in the starter. Replaced the brushes.