Buv238

Hi guys,

I am working on restoring a 1970 cutlass S and have run into a snag with the ignition lock cylinder. I removed the old cylinder (which I am replacing because it can start with no key currently) and when I went to reinstall the new one I couldn’t pull the key out.

I quickly realized that this was because the key couldn’t physically turn to the “lock” position and the steering wheel lock pin will not engage past it’s housing as it is supposed to. It will still start but it seems that it can’t realy shut all the way off, just enough to kill the engine but not enough to actually engage the steering wheel lock mechanism and remove the key.

I tried reinstalling the old cylinder and realized that it was doing the same thing, I just never noticed because the key just comes out at any position. It feels like it’s jammed or bound up somewhere inside the next segment of the column.

Upon reading through the factory assembly manual and going through the forums here I still can’t really visualize or diagnose how this all works in there and what might be causing the mechanism to bind up. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Helpful info:
1970 Cutlass S
Standard column
Floor shifted Automatic transmission

RetroRanger

Try grabbing the collar around the steering column and rotating it ccw. The shifter backdrive for floor and column shift is the same as the linkage wears the car thinks your still in reverse so the key wont come on

Buv238

WOW that actually worked! That’s so cool. Thank you so much!

RetroRanger

Glad it worked out. I think some of the resto houses sell the bushings needed to fix that.

Fun71

It could be a simple as the backdrive linkage needs to be adjusted. Try that before replacing any parts.

joe_padavano

Or, the backdrive linkage has been removed.

JOHNNYOLDS442

You mean the reverse lock out.
Thats what i have called it for years, LOL