72LT1 replaced turn signal swtich now trans locked

[John G.]

Just a coinicidence or is my replacement of the turn signal switch related to now being unable to get trans out of reverse lock up. Can start the car and will move in reverse but when another gear selected car stalls, also have noticed cannot get ignition switch into locked position is this a power operation or just manual turn of switch? Can the trans lock switch be disconnected/removed to overcome problem? and where exactly is this switch? is it the one just above the reverse light switch left side of trans. I just want to get mobile again, hot summer here down under.
thanks john

[Chuck S.]

Re: 72LT1 replaced turn signal swtich now trans lo

Inside the engine compartment, you will see a lever coming out of the lower steering column with a wire rope cable that leads to the transmission. This cable keeps the transmission from being shifted without the ignition lock being turned with a key.

The actual ignition switch is down low on the column under the dash, and is actuated from the ignition lock with a tiny rack moved by a sector gear on the lock cylinder. I suspect you are not getting full travel of the ignition switch actuating rod. You may have allowed a wire or something to get tangled in the mechanism, restricting it's full movement. Since there are several links in the actuation path, and the slender rod will bow, you may still be able to turn the lock switch through it's turn without getting positive actuation.

The other possibility is that the ignition switch has coincidentally failed with the activity of replacing the turn signal switch, and full movement of the actuation rod is prevented by the ignition switch.

If it were me, I would retrace my steps, using the Chassis Service Manual, and see what is out of position. When you get back to where you were before you started reassembly, verify that the ignition switch can be operated freely with the ignition lock...if not, then the ignition switch may be the problem.

[Chuck S.]

Re: 72LT1 replaced turn signal swtich now trans lo

Inside the engine compartment, you will see a lever coming out of the lower steering column with a wire rope cable that leads to the transmission. This cable keeps the transmission from being shifted without the ignition lock being turned with a key.

The actual ignition switch is down low on the column under the dash, and is actuated from the ignition lock with a tiny rack moved by a sector gear on the lock cylinder. I suspect you are not getting full travel of the ignition switch actuating rod. You may have allowed a wire or something to get tangled in the mechanism, restricting it's full movement. Since there are several links in the actuation path, and the slender rod will bow, you may still be able to turn the lock switch through it's turn without getting positive actuation.

The other possibility is that the ignition switch has coincidentally failed with the activity of replacing the turn signal switch, and full movement of the actuation rod is prevented by the ignition switch.

If it were me, I would retrace my steps, using the Chassis Service Manual, and see what is out of position. When you get back to where you were before you started reassembly, verify that the ignition switch can be operated freely with the ignition lock...if not, then the ignition switch may be the problem.

[Harmon C.]

Re: 72LT1 replaced turn signal swtich now trans lo

John
The problem that stalls the car is the transmission is not coming out of reverse and when you put it in first the car is locked in two gears. The cable from the trans to the lever on the lower end of the steering column is out of adjustment. You can disconect the cable at the column and put the lever in a position where the key is removeable to see if this fixes the trans. shifting problem. If you loosened the bolts at the bottom of the column it is the adjustment for the cable and just needs readjusted.

Lyle

[Harmon C.]

Re: 72LT1 replaced turn signal swtich now trans lo

John
The problem that stalls the car is the transmission is not coming out of reverse and when you put it in first the car is locked in two gears. The cable from the trans to the lever on the lower end of the steering column is out of adjustment. You can disconect the cable at the column and put the lever in a position where the key is removeable to see if this fixes the trans. shifting problem. If you loosened the bolts at the bottom of the column it is the adjustment for the cable and just needs readjusted.

Lyle

[John G.]

Re: 72LT1 replaced turn signal swtich now trans lo

Thanks Chuck and Lyle, even though the sun is shining I know where my Saturday afternoon will be. I did loosen the bolts at bottom of steering column so will start there.
cheers john

[John G.]

Re: 72LT1 replaced turn signal swtich now trans lo

Thanks Chuck and Lyle, even though the sun is shining I know where my Saturday afternoon will be. I did loosen the bolts at bottom of steering column so will start there.
cheers john

[Gary Schisler]

Re: 72LT1 replaced turn signal swtich now trans lo

You can download the schematics and exploded parts diagrams for Corvette steering systems from www.corvettefaq.com. Click on both the steering section as well as those by Jim Shea. Jim was an engineer with Saginaw and has all the exploded diagrams for most years, including tilt/tele. Great repair section too.

Gary

[Gary Schisler]

Re: 72LT1 replaced turn signal swtich now trans lo

You can download the schematics and exploded parts diagrams for Corvette steering systems from www.corvettefaq.com. Click on both the steering section as well as those by Jim Shea. Jim was an engineer with Saginaw and has all the exploded diagrams for most years, including tilt/tele. Great repair section too.

Gary

[Harmon C.]

Re: 72LT1 replaced turn signal swtich now trans lo

John
Loosen those bolts again and move the bracket under the hood until the key will come out. Tighten the bolts in that position and see if the transmission is OK. Do not start changing the linkage on the transmission that bracket is your only problem.

Lyle

[Harmon C.]

Re: 72LT1 replaced turn signal swtich now trans lo

John
Loosen those bolts again and move the bracket under the hood until the key will come out. Tighten the bolts in that position and see if the transmission is OK. Do not start changing the linkage on the transmission that bracket is your only problem.

Lyle

[John G.]

Re: 72LT1 replaced turn signal swtich now trans lo

An easy fix just needed the right info, thanks all

[John G.]

Re: 72LT1 replaced turn signal swtich now trans lo

An easy fix just needed the right info, thanks all

[Joseph S.]

Re: 72LT1 replaced turn signal swtich now trans locked

John, If you started the job with the car in neutral you may have shifted the trans into reverse by moving the cable at the base of the steering column. This cable is the reverse lock and is attached to the reverse linkage at the trans. If you have shifted the trans with this cable and the shifter handle was not in the reverse gate it will never come out of reverse with the shifter. You will need to jack up the car and physically move the reverse shifter linkage back to the neutral position. That way the shifter will once again work properly.

If that is the case then you will not have to go back into the steering column for anything

I hope this helps!

Joe

[Joseph S.]

Re: 72LT1 replaced turn signal swtich now trans locked

I'm not understanding what you mean by that statement! Care to clue me in? I must be slow at this discussion board speak!