Tilt & Tele Experts??? Won't go into

[Jamie F.]

The Accessory position.
I picked up a decent appearing T&T column for my '69. All seems to work correctly except that I can't turn the key back to the accessory position.

The column is out of the car, and I have the ignition switch off of it.
The rod seems free, and I've tried pushing in the lock, but it won't turrn back.

Is this a common problem? Anyone know what's causing it?

I've taken apart numerous Tilt columns before and replaced lock, turn signal switches, springs, etc. So don't mind getting into it if I kinda know what to look for.
Thanks!

[John H.]

Re: Tilt & Tele Experts??? Won't go into

I picked up a decent appearing T&T column for my '69. All seems to work correctly except that I can't turn the key back to the accessory position.

Jamie -

Is the backdrive/interlock lever at the steering gear end of the column rotated fully up against its stop?

[Jamie F.]

Re: Tilt & Tele Experts??? Won't go into

John,
Yes, it is fully up. The key will move into Lock position, no problem. Just can't get it to move back into Acc. I recall that originally you are suppose to push in on the key to do that? Is that correct???
But even so, won't go.

[Tom L.]

Re: Tilt & Tele Experts??? Won't go into

If the interlock is in the correct position and the ignition switch has been removed and it still won't go into accessory, you either have some type of mechanical bind or the cylinder is loose in the column. Time to take it apart and figure out what's going on.

If the cylinder retainer tab is weak, bent or loose, the whole cylinder will slide into the column when you press in rather than allowing the inner portion of the assembly to be pressed into the cylinder housing to allow the key to turn backwards. The cylinder tab is spring loaded and should firmly fit into a casted slot in the column to hold the cylinder housing firmly in place.

I had a similar problem after my cylinder was rebuilt. The tab wouldn't hold, so every time you pressed in to go to accessory, the tab would slip out of the slot and the whole cylinder would move in. As such, you would never get the needed compression in the cylinder to allow you to turn it to the accessory position.

I could post a picture of the tab in the column if that would help? Also, remember to put your key in the run position when you pull it out of the column so the key buzzer tab in the cylinder doesn't break the very fragile key buzzer switch.

[Joe L.]

Re: Tilt & Tele Experts??? Won't go into

The Accessory position.
I picked up a decent appearing T&T column for my '69. All seems to work correctly except that I can't turn the key back to the accessory position.

The column is out of the car, and I have the ignition switch off of it.
The rod seems free, and I've tried pushing in the lock, but it won't turrn back.

Is this a common problem? Anyone know what's causing it?

I've taken apart numerous Tilt columns before and replaced lock, turn signal switches, springs, etc. So don't mind getting into it if I kinda know what to look for.
Thanks!

Jamie------


It could be a broken rack or actuator. The rack is made of zinc diecast and will break after long use. Neither part remains available from GM in SERVICE.

[Jim S.]

Re: Tilt & Tele Experts??? Won't go into

One thing that most people don't realize is that there are actually five positions for the lock cylinder and ignition switch. The positions are START, RUN, OFF, OFF-LOCK, and ACCESSORY.

START has a spring return inside the ignition switch that places the switch in the RUN position. There is a detent inside the switch that you must overide in order to get from RUN to the OFF position.

The steering column has an internal stop, (lower lever on 1969 through 1976 columns; finger inhibitor lever next to the lock cylinder) that prevents you from rotating from the OFF to the OFF-LOCK position unless that lower lever is in the full UP position or the inhibitor is triggered.

Once you have reached the OFF-LOCK posiiton, you must press the lock cylinder wings in toward the column head in order to go from OFF-LOCK to ACCESSORY.

The way to adjust the ignition switch to the steering column is as follows:
Use a small allen wrench or a small phillips to move the slider in the ignition switch to the ACCESSORY position. (Extreme end of travel. One end is START, you will feel the spring return. The other end is ACCESSORY.) Now move the slider two positions from ACC. That will be OFF.

Now move the lower lever DOWN or do not trigger the finger inhibitor. Rotate your ignition key and lock cylinder CCW until it stops. That will place your column in the OFF position.

Now carefully install your ignition switch (still in the OFF position) onto the steering column rod (column in the OFF position). They are synchronized. Carefully move the switch around to take the slack out of the system and tighten the switch to the column jacket.

This may help your situation.

Jim

[Jamie F.]

Re: Tilt & Tele Experts??? Won't go into

Thanks Tom, Jim, John & Joe for all the advice.
I started disassembling the column last night to investigate.
Got the ignition lock, turn signal switch, bearing and everything out of it, but cannot remove the "Turn signal Housing" which is the main housing part that has the holes for the levers and lock. I loosen the three big screws but that part is still being held by something.
I think the problem is corrosion is this column as the pawl for the steering wheel lock is stuck also. So as Joe mentioned the rack may be corroded too.
I thought if I could get it apart and clean everything up it would work.
Any suggestions on getting that housing off to expose everything after the three screws are removed?
Thanks!

[Roberto L.]

Re: Tilt & Tele Experts??? Won't go into

The way to adjust the ignition switch to the steering column is as follows:
Use a small allen wrench or a small phillips to move the slider in the ignition switch to the ACCESSORY position. (Extreme end of travel. One end is START, you will feel the spring return. The other end is ACCESSORY.) Now move the slider two positions from ACC. That will be OFF.

Now move the lower lever DOWN or do not trigger the finger inhibitor. Rotate your ignition key and lock cylinder CCW until it stops. That will place your column in the OFF position.

Now carefully install your ignition switch (still in the OFF position) onto the steering column rod (column in the OFF position). They are synchronized. Carefully move the switch around to take the slack out of the system and tighten the switch to the column jacket.

I supposed it was a matter of rod adjustment but know I realize there is an specific procedure. Great advice! thanks!!

Best regards

[Tom L.]

Re: Tilt & Tele Experts??? Won't go into

Got the ignition lock, turn signal switch, bearing and everything out of it, but cannot remove the "Turn signal Housing" which is the main housing part that has the holes for the levers and lock. I loosen the three big screws but that part is still being held by something.

That piece is held only by the three large Phillips screws. Absent corrosion, it should slide right off with the screws, lock cylinder and levers removed.