Standard Column

Steering Wheel and Column Description

The steering wheel and column components include the following components:
- The steering wheel
- The supplemental restraint system (SRS) inflator module, which also functions as a horn pad
- The steering column
- The mounting brackets
The steering column includes the following 3 important features in addition to the steering function:
- The steering column is energy-absorbing. The column is designed to compress in a front-end collision in order to minimize the possibility of injury to the driver of the vehicle.
- The ignition switch and the lock are mounted conveniently on the column.
- With the column-mounted lock, the ignition, steering, and gear shifting operation can be locked in order to inhibit a theft of the vehicle.
The steering column may be disassembled and reassembled. In order to ensure the energy-absorbing action, use only the specified screws, bolts,and nuts as the fasteners are designated. Tighten the fasteners to the specified torque. Apply a thin coat of lithium grease to all friction points during assembly of the steering column components.
When the steering column is removed from the vehicle, the following types of actions may shear or loosen the plastic fasteners that maintain the steering column's rigidity:
- Applying a sharp blow on the end of the steering shaft
- Leaving on the column assembly
- Dropping the assembly

Ignition Lock System Description

All vehicles equipped with a column-mounted shift lever contain both mechanical and electrical neutral safety start systems. These systems rely on a mechanical block as well as an electrical switch in order to prevent starting the engine in any gear other than PARK or NEUTRAL.
The mechanical block is a wedge-shaped lock bolt that is added to the ignition switch actuator rod. In either PARK or NEUTRAL, the following actions occur:
1. The wedge-shaped lock bolt passes through the slots in the shift bowl.
2. The lock bolt allows the lock cylinder to turn and start the engine.

BTSI Circuit Description

The brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) system prevents the automatic transmission from being shifted out of the PARK position unless the following conditions are present:
- The brake pedal is depressed.
- The ignition switch is turned to the RUN or the START position.
When the ignition switch is in the RUN or the START position, the current flows from the B/U LPS fuse located in the underhood fuse block through CKT 839 (PN K) to the park/neutral position switch. The park/neutral position switch also feeds the backup lamps portion of the switch. With the transmission in the PARK position, the current flows to the BTSI fuse located in the underhood fuse block through CKT 275 (LT GRN). The current then flows to the stoplamp switch through CKT 584 (LT GRN/BLK). The current continues to the BTSI solenoid through CKT 1135 (DK GRN/WHT). The ground path is provided through CKT 1850 (BLK) to G200 and G201 When the brake pedal is depressed, the normally closed contacts in the stop lamp switch open and the current flow is interrupted. When the current flow is interrupted, the BTSI solenoid de-energizes. The transmission may then shift to another gear. When the transmission shifts to another gear (except PARK),the contacts in the park/neutral switch open. This condition stops the current flow to energize the solenoid when the brake pedal releases.

BTSI Description

The brake transmission interlock (BTSI) system prevents the automatic transmission from being shifted out of PARK unless the brake pedal is depressed. When the brake pedal is depressed, the BTSI solenoid releases a lock pawl. This enables the shift Linkage to move and the shift lever to operate.
When service operations are required, the BTSI system can be overridden.
On vehicles equipped with a column-mounted shift lever, this is done by turning the ignition switch to the OFF position and removing battery voltage from the solenoid. For vehicles equipped with floor-mounted shift levers, an override lever is mounted on the right side of the assembly. The override lever can be accessed by removing the shift lever boot. Push the lever to the left in order to override the BTSI.