I have a 88 GTA and it wouldn't start so I dropped the steering column thinking the switch down on the column had come loose, which happened on my 87. I found that the ignition cylinder wasn't actuating the rods that run thru the column. I have the steering wheel off and I'm down to the point where the next thing to remove would include the housing that the ignition cylinder mounts in, but I can't find my manual so I wanted to ask first if there is anything to be aware of before taking this housing off - didn't want parts flying out or anything. Also curious if anyone else has dealt with this and what the problem wound up being. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

May not be the same problem, but ignition cylinder would let the key turn then nothing. Pulled the key out and try again it would start. Went on until the key would not start and couldn't remove it. A locksmith replaced the cylinder & new keys and it works perfect. Never had the problem again, 23 year old keys just wore out. Best $75 on a Sunday morning I never spent, came and gone in less then one hour. Also he did not have to take the steering column apart. A simple thing as wore out keys.

 

I have the column apart and removed the cylinder lock. I reached in with needle nose pliers and turned the tab that the cylinder engages and it doesn't actuate the rods either. Obviously something came loose or broke. Can anyone tell me how to remove the tilt lever? It looks like I'll have to take off the shroud that the cylinder mounts in to see what came loose.

 

Is you problem that the iginition lock rotates freely when you turn it, and nothing happens. I have had that a couple of times. I just end up lying down, looking under the dash and inserting a flat head screw driver into the column cover and pushing the mechanism back in place. Have the key in the off position and push the mechanism as far back as possible. Might also want to have the tilt in the level position.

Or did you end up fixing it another way?

 

I have the ignition lock out, it was engaging the tab and turning it, but something inside there is broke or came loose. Haven't gone any deeper into it, I think it will be easier to just buy another steering column at this point.