Unfamiliar territory here.

I dug into my steering column to investigate why my key wasn't doing anything.
88 Trans Am, Tilt Wheel, Auto Trans, w/Radio Controls.

The wheel locks and unlocks but thats it.
The shifter remains locked.
There are no detents when I turn the key.


This wire rod doesn't seem to be doing anything

These fell out when I took the multi-function switch/lock cylinder portion of the column off. The only bearing I can see has all the ***** in it. And the shaft turns smoothly without any bind.
How is that black plastic piece oriented and where does it go?

Also what is this piece for? The brass contacts were just folded over inside the column. It plugs into a rectangular hole beneath the turn signal switch stuff.

This is on an 88 Trans AM, Tilt Column, AT, w/radio controls. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Oh man! That's what happened when I dug into my Dad's S-10 (an '88 I think) to replace the wiring. It was the same set up as yours. I g0t the thing back together but not perfectly. After I returned from vacation my brother-in-law got it alll back perfectly together to include the ***** but I heard it took them awhile. IIRC the same lose plastic piece rides on the wire rod and has to do with turn signal cancelling. IIRC the one w/brass contacts goes on the right hand side and interfaces with the key/lock assembly; emergency lights stayed on until that was corrected.

 

I'm digging through the service manual.
Seems the rod and black plastic part are for the headlight dimmer. I should be able to figure that part out since I know what its supposed to do now.
And I think you're right about that white connector. That one may have been me when I swapped steering wheels. I believe they must be connected together or something to keep the hazards off.

 

Well I found a little write up on the steering column and dug in further.
It seems like the metal loop that runs from the gear on the lock cylinder to the actual ignition switch just popped off. I have no idea how it could have happened. Has anyone had this happen before?
I need to replace the lower bearing in the column, and then I should be good to go to put everything back together.

 

if you figure out the turn signal cancelling cam please let me know.

I had to fix the loose column and I'll be darned if I can figure out how to get it in. I just manually shut off the turn signal.

 

There are so many different types of columns I wouldn't think I have the same one as you, as mine is pretty much self explanatory. I haven't had a problem with it in the past when I swapped steering wheels.

This is the walkthrough I found earlier
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/inte...eel-grant.html