Key Lock accessory position

[Joseph K.]

i noticed tonight that I can not turn my key to the accessory position. Is there an adjustment or did I do something wrong several months ago when I installed a new lock and buzzer switch. Any ideas?? thanks

[Terry M.]

Re: Key Lock accessory position

My guess through the crystal ball of the Internet is that you nailed your problem. It is very difficult to engage the gear on the ignition lock with the rack that controls the wire to the ignition switch. There is a paragraph or two in the AIM about how to do that, and it requires some precision. Good luck

[Jim S.]

Re: Key Lock accessory position

The lever on the lower end of 1969 thru 1976 Corvette steering columns is a very important part that enables the General Motors Steering Column/Transmission Shift Interlock System to operate. When GM introduced their locking steering column on all GM cars in 1969 they were very afraid of lawsuits from people who by mistake turned off their ignition and locked their steering wheel even while the car was still moving forward.

So GM and Saginaw Division designed a system where there is a gate designed inside the steering column. Regardless if the gate is activated, the driver is always allowed to just turn the key to the OFF position. But the gate prevents the ignition key from being rotated all the way to OFF-LOCK which would not only will shut off the engine but also causes the steering wheel to be locked. Also, the ignition key can only be pulled from the lock cylinder in the OFF-LOCK position.

FYI - There are actually five positions for your ignition switch, from ignition key full CW and rotated to the full CCW position: START (key springs back to the RUN position); RUN; OFF; OFF-LOCK; & ACCESSORY.
This is how it worked:
With the Corvette floor shifter, there is a cable coming from your transmission that is connected to that lever on the lower end of the steering column. When you shift into PARK (automatic trans) or into REVERSE (manual trans) you will note that the lever is pushed to the full UP position (about the 2 o’clock position if you could see it by looking down the steering column from the driver seat.) With the lever UP that gate is opened inside the column and it now allows your ignition key to rotate further from the OFF to the OFF-LOCK and to the ACCESSORY positions.

I would suggest going out under your hood and removing the cotter pin and washer where the cable is connected to the lever on the lower end of the steering column. Now try to pull up on the lever. Does that allow you to rotate your ignition key all the way to the ACCESSORY position? If this is the case, there is a limited amound of cable adjustment that may help.

On the lower end of the column (out under the hood) there is a large mounting bracket M. There is a welded stud on the right side of the bracket (as you view it from under the hood.) There is a loose bolt N on the left side. Go back inside the car and loosen the two nuts R. Now go back under the hood and rotate plate M about the permanent bolt. This should move the cable sheath T and therefore lengthen (or shorten) the cable. As mentioned previously, this should allow a limited amount of adjustment as to how far the lever on the steering column can be moved.

Good luck,
Jim

[Joseph K.]

Re: Key Lock accessory position

Jim,

Thanks for the info. I did what you suggested and removed the carter pin and tried the arm in several positions. Similar to before I can go into the lock position when the arm on the firewall is pulled all the way up but I still can not go into accessory position. I am stumped. By chance I did get it into accessory once by playing with the lock, but cannot repeat the action. Stumped.......

[Edward J.]

Re: Key Lock accessory position

Joe, the ing. switch under the column is slotted for some adjustment. If you have the switch adjusted to far forward you may not be able to rotate the switch to acc. position.

Just make sure that Jim adjustment is followed first.I would just un do the interlock cable and leave it that way while checking everything else. I Also find that if you try to rotate the lower collar inside the car on steering column manuelly to make sure its all the way over. sometimes it gives you what yopu need for rotate the switch.

[Joseph K.]

Re: Key Lock accessory position

Ed,

I pulled the bottom cover off of the column and looked for an adjustment that could be made. It appears that all the mechanicals are in the column and there is no adjustment. where am I not looking?

With regard to Jim's adjustment, the arm can not rotate any further up do to some restraint in the column. If I rotate it down just a 1/4 of an inch the key will not come out of the lock position.

[Jim S.]

Re: Key Lock accessory position

If by bottom cover you mean part M in the assembly drawing, that part pivots around the permanent bolt and should allow a slight adjustment of the cable relative to the lever on the steering column. If this doesn't work then you will need to drop the column and try adjusting the ignition switch on top of the column jacket.

[Edward J.]

Re: Key Lock accessory position

Ed,

I pulled the bottom cover off of the column and looked for an adjustment that could be made. It appears that all the mechanicals are in the column and there is no adjustment. where am I not looking?

With regard to Jim's adjustment, the arm can not rotate any further up do to some restraint in the column. If I rotate it down just a 1/4 of an inch the key will not come out of the lock position.

Joe the ing. switch inside the car, under the column has a couple of 5/16th bolts that can be lossened and the switch will slide back and forth, there is about 3/16 adjustment .


On the lower shift bowl of the column( M) rotates with the shifter is moved threw the gears. when the shifter is in park make sure that it is rotated all the way,to permit the key to be turned in either direction.

[Jim S.]

Re: Key Lock accessory position

You cannot see the shift bowl rotate on the C3 Corvette column (except early 1969 columns). There is a stationary plastic shroud that covers the shift bowl and prevents you from seeing the shift bowl rotate when you move the automatic floor shift into PARK or the manual trans is shifted into REVERSE.
Jim

[Joseph K.]

Re: Key Lock accessory position

Jim and Ed,

I took the column down, tough job standing on my head, and adjusted the switch on top of the column. It was a balancing act because to much one way and the car will not start and to much another way and the key will not come out of the ignition. I also got a little rougher with the key cylinder and it all began to work like it should. Thanks for your help. I am running out of time and these little things are popping up. It never seems to end. You fix one thing and then by touching something else you end up in another repair. Everything is back together and tomorrow I will run through another QC to make sure everything is still operational. The alternator I have been looking for for 5 years comes tomorrow. It should be a easy install but Murphy's rule generally applies. Then off to Altoona Thursday.

Thanks again Joe