Lock cylinder problem *found the issue*

[chris85]

One day I found that I couldnt get my lock cylinder to rotate back into the “lock” position. The key got stuck but with 30 year old parts and generous wiggling it let go. But it would never return to lock again. So I figured it was the lock cylinder and got a new one. I started tearing into today and the new one does the same thing, so I dug down a little deeper and and it looks as if there might be a problem with the rack and actuator.

Now, I’m not certain because I’ve never torn one of these apart, but it does seem that the actuator is being inhibited from rotating any further back than what you can see in this pic. It will rotate to accessory and start fine. I know it’s not the lock cylinder now because once I took the old one out it rotated to lock just fine.

I pretty much got stuck her because I need a pin puller to go any further but does anyone have any suggestions to what’s going on?

 

[nvrenuf]

Check the electrical switch lower down the column, at the lower end of the actuator rod. Mine locked up like that an it was the electrical switch.

 

[chris85]

Check the electrical switch lower down the column, at the lower end of the actuator rod. Mine locked up like that an it was the electrical switch.

is that in the column itself?

 

[frankin5]

It's on side of column under dash

 

[nvrenuf]

Did you find it?

 

[chris85]

No, I’ll check tomorrow. I had given up for the day when I made the post.


The fun part will be trying to get all this back together. A few pieces dropped out that I never saw where they came from

 

[brans87]

answer is in here http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/images/d/d6/Jazzman_Steering_Rack_Rebuild.pdf

 

[76zimmer]

That’s a great “ how to”
Thanks for posting
I have the same issue!

 

[chris85]

This guy? @nvrenuf




Nevermind. That’s highbeams

 

[chris85]

Looks like I’m gonna have to pull the guages....again and drop the column to get to that actuator rod.

 

[nvrenuf]

It's this switch (pic from Brans87's link), accessible from under the dash by the pedals. The pocket where the rod goes in to is a slide that can lock up.

 

[nvrenuf]

Don't worry about getting to the rod itself, it just "floats" in a tunnel down the column. Unless something dramatic has happened with the column it shouldn't be hung up.

 

[brans87]

Don't have to remove gauges to work on the column.

 

[brans87]

Tool to take side pins out can be bought local.
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CJqchOzV_t0CFQ8ONwodsLwFPA

 

[brans87]

Rent puller, snap ring pliers, pick set are needed.

 

[chris85]

Don't have to remove gauges to work on the column.

Ummm there it is

 

[brans87]

I pulled my column apart to just housing and rebuilt it with gauges in place.

 

[chris85]

I’d like to avoid disassembling the column any further if I can avoid it, but I don’t see anyway to get to where @nvrenuf is talking about with pulling the column.

 

[nvrenuf]

I have to admit my dash is gutted so I'm sure I had an accessibility advantage.

You could remove the access panel under the column, pull the 2 mounting bolts and let the column drop some - this might give more working room. Worst case you could try to squeeze a wrench in that gap you pictured but getting the bolts back in would probably be a pita.

Before doing anything else, do you still have the top end disassembled? If so, is the top of the lock rod free? Will it slide in / out (towards the switch)? If no, then I'd bet the switch is locked up, if it does move then the switch isn't the issue.

 

[chris85]

Reposting a picture for reference.....

So the whole assembly will rotate backwards as if cranking (picture), pushing the actuator rack forwards, but it (key) will not rotate forwards, which would push the actuator rack inwards. It does feel like something in link with the rod is what’s causing the obstruction.

Clear as mud?