Hey there, anyone out there that can advise me how to unlock my ignition ..I can not turn the key to the run or start position..floor shift automatic...I can see a portion of the column turn when I try to shift out of park...everything locked up... cant turn key from lock therefore can't take out of park...almost as if the key were the wrong one...crazy...please help...kbullwinkle out

 

Well 10/6/2016 progress update...ignition key will not turn to run or start position...pulled steering wheel...pulled key assembly...no movement in rod going from key assembly to start switch...removed start switch from column..replaced start switch...reassembled...still no movement in key to start or run...took apart again...removed actuator rod from start switch...took a screw driver and carefully moved position of start switch...through all positions accessories, stop , neutra . Run , and finally START...vehicle's instrument lights light up ..vehicle starts...my opinion...Nuckle part of tilt steering column where key assembly attaches is damaged..possibly by attempted theft...after further research inside this knuckle has a small plastic gear with springs...I believe this to be bad...next I attempt to rebuild knuckle assembly...see where we go from here next...kbullwinkle out...

 

Ok..found the problem..
As part of the housing that covers the ignition cylinder...there is a shiny chrome pin about the size of a pencil on the same side the turn signal lever is on...I believe it is part of the locking devise...it fits down inside the inner housing ..it's chrome...I believe it is supposed to travel when you turn the key ...up towards you when locked or accessories...down when you turn the key to run or start position...we'll this chrome pin was frozen inside the machine hole it is supposed to travel in and would not move so you could turn the key to run position...fix for now was to remove this pin...which was not easy...and reassemble for now...at least I can use the key to start the car...this also made it possible to get the floor shifter through all the gears...A Win for now...either way. Now I can move the car without removing the drive shaft...also start and shut off like a normal person....hope this all helps someone else out...kbullwinkle out

 

Congrats on your "fix"

 

Thank you...now on to the next...getting all I can inside repaired before interior is finished at upholsterer...bulbs, gizmos, gauges, then on to a tuneup...kbullwinkle out

 

Just in case someone has the same ignition problem I had I wanted to add this comment...the chrome pin I spoke about in my earlier post...was caroded.in the machined hole in the housing over the ignition...this piece was casted pot metal or aluminum...Chevy has since used plastic.on later modeld.....no metal on metal...after further research...this chrome pin the size of a pencil was about 1.5 inches long...it is to lock the steering wheel from turning on my 77....just so you know...kbullwinkle out...