I want to replace my steering column with a used one. What choices do I have? My car is 91 Trans Am 5 speed. I ordered an ignition lock cylinder for my car, and it has 2 wires coming out the side. I removed my old one and it had no wires. Are the wires for VAT? If so, I guess mine was disabled?if so, will a pre-VAT column work? Does the column have to be from a 5 speed car?

 

Your best fit would come from a 90-92 manual - but you can make just about any column work with enough time/effort/$$. (I'd recommend that you stay away from 82-83 columns. )

5-speed columns have a safety release under the ignition. An automatic column can be used, but it's not "correct".

Only you will know if the VATS is disabled in your car or not,... a 91 SHOULD have VATS and the ignition cylinder would have wires connected to it.

A pre-VATS, non-airbag column will fit, so long as you don't need VATs and don't need to worry about failing inspection. ( some stations will require the factory equipped air bag car to have an air bag. ) The plug for the wiper wiring changed from year to year so the plug may need to be re-pinned so the wires match up properly.

 

So on a 5 speed column with safety release under ignition, what does that do? Is that maybe what prevents car from starting without clutch depressed? So on automatic column, it will work, but no safety from starting without clutch in? If so, I can live with that.
Also, can I mount my air bag steering wheel to a non air bag column? I know it won't be functional, but will pass the visual on safety inspection.
What I have available near me, is a column from 86 Camaro automatic for a good price.

 

The switch on the 5-speed column is not a clutch safety interlock - that's on the clutch pedal. The switch on the column stops the ignition key cylinder from being turned unless the switch is moved first.

An 86 auto column will fit; but it's not plug and play. The wiper wiring at the base of the column will need to be re-pinned into a 90-92 connector or spliced ( so it matches the 90-92 dash harness ). Another thing you will notice is that the 2 plugs that connect the dash harness to the column will be reversed from auto to stick columns. ( no big deal, just flip the plugs over and re-connect. )

I've heard the air bag wheels will fit OK but have never installed one on a non-air bag column myself.

Be sure about your VATS ! ( the 86 column doesn't have VATS ! )

 

Thank You very much. Good info.

 

Or how about I try to fix my column.
Please watch video and comment.

 

I'm wrong. That rod I'm moving is for the low/high beam switch. How and where does the ignition switch rod connect to that spring loaded lever I'm moving in the video?