No Start After Replacing Steering Column - Help!

[ernie d]

Hi guys,

My car turned over and started great. Then I just replaced my straight column with a rebuilt tilt/tele column. Now the car will not turn over or start. My first thought would be that the ignition switch that came with the tilt column is bad.

The actuator rod is moving when the key is turned, so I know the ignition switch is getting that mechanical travel input that it needs.

What do you think?

Thanks!
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[curtis]

Neutral safety switch. Mine worked one minute and not the next.

 

[JohnZ]

Probe the purple wire exiting the ignition switch for power with the key in "start" position (that's the circuit that goes to the "S" terminal on the starter solenoid and energizes the starter). If you have power there, trace it through the clutch safety switch (or auto neutral safety switch) for power.

If you don't see power on the wire exiting the switch, it's probably a switch/rod adjustment issue.

 

[srs244]

could also be the switch adjustment. if you remember when the column was out, there is a lot of room to adjust the switch so that the rod actuates it.

if you get power on the purple (neutral lockout switch lead) with the key turned to the "starter position", you have a problem between there and the starter solenoid. (i should know it took me a week and a half and the help of about 2 dozen of the folks here to find my electrical problem with a no start).

since you had no problems before changing out the solumn, i would suggest that you probably have a bad switch or it is mis-aligned unless you caused one of the connectors to come apart while trying to install the new column.

 

[ernie d]

Well, I have done two things today without luck.

Replaced the switch itself. No help. Also pulled connector from clutch safety switch and put a jumper wire to bypass the switch itself. No help.

Some seem to suspect that I dont have the ignition switch adjustment set right. But I think it is.....I put key in the accessory position, put slider on switch itself to farthest travel position, and install slot in switch over rod at that point. Rod travels full length of key rotation. So I think rod for ignition switch is adjusted properly.

I need your help on this one, thanks!!!

 

[JohnZ]

The Chassis Service Manual calls out for the ignition switch adjustment to be done with the lock cylinder in the "Lock" position.

 

[Artsvette73]

The blue and black connectors are opposite. Straight vs tilt/tel column have you pulgged them in correctly.

 

[ernie d]

The connectors can only go on one way. Mine are white and black.

 

[jdp6000]

Time to focus and regroup. You can test for the switch. My 1977 did that a long time ago. I turned the key and nothing happened. I paid attention to the way the rod slide. I dis connected the rod on the key side. I left the wires all attached. I turned the key to the usual start position and manually pulled the rod. The car started. My rod was also full extended when connected but I noticed it just wasn't pulling enough. so I put a slight bend in it and it solved my problem. If its the rod this should work. If doesn't work it is something else.

I believe you have a neutral safety switch. If all is okay on the previous paragraph. Try turning the key and checking for power at the neutral safety switch. Turning the key should complete the circuit to the neutral safety switch and it should show power. If you get power at this switch check to see if it continues out throught the other side. If it doesn't this may be the problem.

You don't really need a meter. Use a cheap light circuit tester. You may as well start from the ignition. Check for a light (power) at the key. Then with key turned the switch (before and after) the actuator rod goes to. Then at the neutral safety switch. At some point before and after the alarm (if you have one) solenoid. So on and so forth. If all checks out have someone check at the starter while you turn the key.

You'll figure it out.

Jim

 

[ernie d]

OK, problem just solved. Ignition switch actuator rod had a bend in it and was causing misadjustment of ignition switch. I straightened the rod out, realigned switch and all works great now. Thanks everyone for for ideas, it helped me solve it.
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