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ignition lock cylinder will not go to 'off' position

by Jon V
(Evansville IN)

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I have a 1997 corvette. Once I turn the car off, the key will not turn back to the off position and stays in the acc position. somehow I can still remove the key. I removed the lock cylinder and tested it outside the car. Works fine. Problem does not seem to be in the ignition lock cylinder. Once I plug everything back in it worked a few time then went back to the same thing. Obviously the gear shifter can be moved through the gears without they key at this point.(automatic trans)If I try to turn the key back I can hear the clicking from the passenger side floorboard. (relay) I just purchased the car and not sure of the history. Can someone help please?

Corvette-web-central.com Advice:
See attached photo. You may have to right click on the picture and save it to your computer to be able to see it better. In the upper LH corner of the photo you will find the key lock cylinder. It would appear that your problem would be isolated to the lock cylinder since no other input has any influence to the lock cylinder. The fact that you can still move the shifter is a direct result of the lock cylinder being in the ACC position.

Comments for ignition lock cylinder will not go to 'off' position

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Aug 26, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		fixed for free!
by: Anonymous

Turns out there was a lot of gummed up parts in the shifter mechanism. Tapped on the shift lock solenoid which moved the plastic park lock / shift lock piece up. Sprayed all moving parts with cleaner and lubed. Haven't had the problem occur again.
Aug 09, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		had same problem
by: Anonymous

My 1971 did the same thing.....did what you did to no avail....Problen was with the cable from the steering column to the tranny.....There is a coupling on the shaft, make sure that you can pull it straight up...sometimes it doesn't go all the way up.....My mechanic cut the cable and the key goes back to the lock position and comes out (which it didn't do previous to the surgury)....key comes out now, but the steering wheel doesn't lock.....buy hey it works

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