Ignition Switch - Key Binds/Stuck In Column
File In Section: 3 - Steering/SuspensionBulletin No.: 53-32-08
Date: October, 1995
Subject:
Ignition Key Binds, Stuck in Column
(Readjust Park Lock Cable or Shift Control Cable, or Round Off Shifter Pawl Release Rod)
Models:
1992-95 Cadillac Eldorado, Seville
with Floor Shift
CONDITION
Some vehicles may intermittently exhibit a condition where the ignition switch locks and the key cannot be removed from the ignition key cylinder.
CAUSE
The three potential causes are:
1. Misadjusted park lock cable.
2. Misadjusted shift control cable.
3. The top of the shifter white plastic pawl release rod catching in the knob assembly.
CORRECTION
Misadjustment of Park Lock Cable
1. Be sure ignition key is in "LOCK" position.
IMPORTANT
If the key cannot be rotated to the "LOCK" position, lift the adjuster locking button and slide the adjuster rearward in car (compress spring) and hold-rotate key to lock.
2. Be sure the cable adjuster locking button is in the "UP" position.
3. Grasp the park lock cable near the forward end of adjuster spring. Push it toward the front of the vehicle to remove slack and release.
4. Move cable adjuster rearward in vehicle 1.5 mm (1/16 inch) from the position established in the previous step.
5. While holding this position, push the adjuster locking button down flush with the adjuster body.
Misadjustment Of Shift Control Cable
1. Set parking brake and chock wheels.
2. Remove shift cable terminal from transaxle manual shaft lever pin. Pry on the shift cable terminal at the manual shaft lever pin with an appropriate tool (screwdriver). DO NOT pry or pull up on any other part of the shift cable - the shift cable could be damaged.
3. Fully lift adjuster lock button. Assure the adjuster is free to move.
4. Place transaxle manual shaft lever in "NEUTRAL" gear. To find "NEUTRAL", rotate lever fully counter-clockwise to "PARK" and then clockwise 2 clicks, through reverse into "NEUTRAL".
5. Place the gear shifter (inside car) in the "NEUTRAL" position.
^ Depress button on shift knob and pull shifter into "LOW 1" position. Release button. Push forward on knob (do not touch button). The gear shift lever will move forward while clicking over the gear travel stops. When the lever stops solidly, it is in "NEUTRAL". Release the lever.
6. Underhood, grasp the white shift cable terminal and pull it toward the pin on the manual shaft lever (the shift cable adjuster spring should compress as the terminal is moved toward the pin). Attach the pin to the lever by pushing down carefully until it snaps - do not move the lever out of position. DO NOT pull terminal beyond pin then push back, this could move the shifter out of "NEUTRAL".
7. Press the adjuster lock button down flush with the adjuster body.
8. Shift to "PARK" and release parking brake while applying service brake. Start engine and assure all indicated gear positions match vehicle response.
The Top of the Shifter Pawl Release Rod Catching In the Knob Assembly
To verify this condition, check the following: (Refer to Figure 1)
1. The vehicle can be shifted from "P" to "L1" without depressing the shift knob button.
2. Remove the knob and actuate the shifter paw release rod (Figure 1, Item 1). Check for freedom of movement and proper shifter function.
If both conditions are true, carefully round off the edge of the white shifter pawl release rod (Figure 1, Item 2).
IMPORTANT
Do not reduce overall height of pawl release rod - this will not allow the shifter to go Into LOW I gear If rod Is shortened. Cover black metal tube top (Figure 1, Item 3) with tape so shavings/abrasives cannot fall into tube.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:
LABOR OPERATION LABOR TIME
K5173 0.3 hr (Includes modification to shifter handle)
Add 0.2 hr (To adjust shift control cable)