Mystery lever.

[Bob Booth #33372]

Hello all,

I have yet another question for all you enlightened ones.

While trying to figure out a problem with my clutch linkage today ('72 coupe) I noticed an odd looking lever in the steering column in the engine compartment just ahead of the firewall. It points toward the pass. side of the car and moves in an arc from about 10 o'clock to 7 o'clock looking toward the back of the car and has a fixed pin with a cotter pin hole on the end of it but with nothing attached to it. There's also a bracket on the firewall below it with an empty hole that looks like it may be related. It almost looks like a column shifter lever but I don't know of too many Vettes with column shifters, so it must be something else, but what?

As always, thanks for your help.

Bob Booth

[Jerry Clark]

Re: Mystery lever.

Hi Bob:

It may be the transmission interlock, the device that only allows you to lock your ignition key in the off position, thus locking the steering wheel, when your transmission is in reverse. If you can lock your wheel and ignition with the tranny in any gear this device is not hooked up and you are missing the cable assembly that goes from this arm and bracket to the transmission.

jerry

[Joe L.]

Re: Mystery lever.

Bob and Jerry----

Yes, I'm certain that the lever that you are referring to is the transmission interlock lever which Jerry described. Often times folks don't consider this important enough to reinstall when they remove the transmission. It ends up just being some "left-over" parts when the job is done. And, it never ceases to amaze me how some folks are ok with "left-over" parts.

In any event, believe it or not, the cable is still available from GM. It is GM #3949074 and currently GM lists for $32.50. However, the transmission brackets and other attachment parts are all GM-discontinued.

[Michael W.]

Re: Mystery lever.

Bob,

You may want to temporarily secure the lever in the 'up' position until you can get this fixed properly.

Murphy's law says that the lever will drop on you (meaning that you can't get your key out of the ignition) but only late at night, far from home and in the middle of a rain and wind storm.

Mike


Quebec NCRS Chapter

[Bob Booth #33372]

Re: Mystery lever. Thanks guys...

...that clears it up. I knew it had to be something. Thanks for the part #'s Joe.

Oh, and Mike, you forgot to mention (along with all that to go wrong), not only would it be at night and raining and all that stuff but also when I go for the hood release, the cable breaks and when I get out to check it I inadvertently lock the keys in it with the engine running but forgot to set the emegency brake and it starts rolling backward toward the lake and.....yep, that'd be my luck alright. Thanks for the tip.

Regards,

Bob Booth