Hi everyone. I own a 87 RS with a 5 speed manual tranny. Now I have replaced, the starter, pugs and wires, and bought a new battery. But nothing has fixed this. When I go to start my car the lights will go on and everything will be fine but the car will not start. In order to get it to start I have to grab the two prongs on the ingintion with the key in it and really crank on it. Then after I do that and crank it hard enough to the start position it will start. I have ever replaced the ignition switch (with key) and it is still giving me the same problems. What the heck do I do?? I bought a new Neutral Safety Switch but I do not now where it goes or how to put in it. I have also noticed that the mechanisim behind the key/switch also feels loose, is there any way to fix this as well?

I give thanks to this website for showing me how to fix the wobble in the steering collum but did not see an article showing how to get at this issue.

 

Well you see the way these cars ignition switches work as im sure youve seen the ignition switch itself is down at the base of the coulmn and its pressed on by a rod that is controlled by the key cylinder. If the ignition switch was out of reach of the rod that activates it could do as you describe (there is an adjustment in the form of a slotted bracket the switch it mounted to) or it could be a bad ignition switch (not the one with the key). Im not quite sure what your talking about when your refering to "mechanisim behind the key/switch also feels loose" maby snap a quick photo if its still apart?

 

thanks for the reply, I took photos of what I was talking about.
I still have everything apart thank GOD. this is where the back of the key part of the ignition goes to. here is a closer up view of it
Now this is the part that I think in responsible for making grab the prongs of the key/ingition switch and really turn on it before it will turn over and start. but once it does, it starts right up.
here is where the rod (??) that connects to the ignition switch at the bottom of the steering shaft(?)

 

I am having a similar problem, but I've identified the culprit. I just need to know the name of the part I need to buy. I took my steering column apart due to the wobble problem. Fixed that. Many kudos to the individuals with great write ups and extremely helpful pictures, particularly these two threads:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/inte...obble-how.html

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...-steering.html

The ignition cylinder connects to a piece shown here:

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=634739

Now there is a slotted metal piece attached to the ignition rod which the mushroom piece from the picture pulls when the key is turned to start the engine. My problem is the slotted metal piece attached to the ignition rod broke in half. I can manually pull the ignition rod toward me to start the engine. Does this piece come as a complete assembly with the rod or can I buy it separately? Any pointers to the part name, part number or where to buy it would be extremely helpful.

Also my dimmer rod came out. Found many articles here discussing it, but haven't found any detailed pictures yet. Do I have to drop the steering column to fix both these issues?

One last thing. This dimmer actutor piece fell out and I can't seem to figure out where it is supposed to go back to. Any help here would be appreciated as well.

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=98318

Thanks in advance.

 

it sounds like the ignition switch at the bottom of the colum needs to be adjusted or replaced, but we have a pick up that the little gear in the colum broke and it would start and not shut off so it could be the gear tooths are worn or broken and you don't have enough turn in the key to push the rod far enough on the ignition switch to hit the start position

 

I found a picture that probably does more justice. Hope it helps.

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/1797/diagram19ae.jpg

The part labeled "Wedge Shape Finger" is broken on my vehicle. I went to a GM parts dealership today and the guy said that part is discontinued. Doesn't make sense considering the sheer number of vehicles that likely use this same mechanism.

 

thanks, I looked at my ignition switch on top of the column it was bad, so I replaced it, although I do not think that I pushed it all to the back, nor did I put the keys in the acc posisition. Is there pictures in here that will show me how to do that? Also with the help parts. I am afraid that if I take those parts out, I will not remember how do it again

 

Thanks for the info, I have checked my ignition switch that the rod goes down to , and replaced it, it was bad as well. Although I do not think that I pushed the switch to the correct posisition, and I did not put the key in the accessory posisition so now I have to take it out again and fix it. Is there any pictures that would help me out with the parts that you posted and with my other problems?