I recently started having an annoying starting problem with my '85 iroc. If the steering wheel is tilted all the way up my car wont start, all that happens is a click from the starter. But as soon as the steering wheel tilts all the way down the car fires right up. So basically, im wondering is the whole column junk or is it worth it to somehow try and find the bad wire/wires? Every since this problem started ive been kinda nervous about taking the car so its starting to sit more and more and im really trying to avoid that. any help out would be great

 

On top of the steering column, under the guages, there is the ignition switch. When you turn the key, I believe there is an actual rod from the key cylinder that activates this switch. The switch connects power from a red wire to a green wire that runs to the neutral safety switch.

If at full upward tilt, your key cylinder might not be extending the rod far enough to activate that ignition switch.

No need to replace the column. Under the dash, there is a support bracket for the under-dash pad - two large nuts - remove those, then you'll see the two large nuts holding the column support up - remove those and let the column lay down (it'll stay in place from all the wires kinda holding it up). Then you can see the ignition switch itself on top of the column. See if it's working properly - watch the rod movement. Maybe the switch needs replaced. Maybe the rod is broken or getting binded. To check the rod movement from the key cylinder, you'll need a steering wheel puller (free rental from Advance/AZ) to get into the steering wheel.

Note - if you are ever out, and the key won't start the car because of a bad ignition switch or whatever, you can start it by hand. ALWAYS carry 3ft of a heavy guage wire with you. You can apply direct 12v+ from the battery to the starter where the purple wire attaches to the starter, and the car will start as long as the key is on. If it's impossible to get to the starter, you should be able to find that purple wire under the dash as well - can run 12v+ from BATT terminal on fuse block to that purple wire under the dash and car will start as long as key is on.

 

thanks for the quick reply, as soon as i get back from school on friday il check the igntion switch. Another problem im having is my headlights wont come on, every other lights come on besides my highs/lows. The po said the headlight switch was touchy and he gave me a brand new one, but would that be the problem if all my other lights still turn on?

 

Yeah, headlight switch could well be the issue. Oull once, park lights - pull twice, headlights. Sounds like headlight part is bad. Make sure to look at the connector when you remove - issue might be the connector and not the switch.

 

haha sounds like im tearing apart my dash this weekend, thanks for the help

 

Not the whole dash, just the underside on driver side!

 

haha well i was gonna wire my cd player/speakers so the dashpads coming off anyway. i couldnt take the blown 4x6s anymore so i got myself some alpine type s's