Accessory headache

Mike Alexander said:

Hey guys. My '93 sierra doesn't seem to have a keyed acc function. Lock, dead spot with no power, on, and start. I tried and cannot turn the key back beyond lock. Anyone have any experience with this? There's a clear "detent" feeling spot between lock and on. I'm assuming a bad switch on the bottom of the column? Any help is much appreciated!!

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thinger2 said:

Yep, get a new key cut at the dealer or find a locksmith that understands your problem before you tear into the column.
This has been a GM problem since the first column locks back in think it was about 1969.
My old k3500 doors would open using the ignition key from my 1964 chevelle and it would start without a key in it at all.
My 73 Olds Cutlass would not start unless you had two people in the car.
One to rock the wheel and move the column shifter while the other one tried to turn the key.
And dont hang a bunch of stuff off of your GM key chain, the weight of 14 sets of keys swinging back and forth chews the keys and the tumblers up.
If you can get a key made that works, get several copies of them made.
Im at 6 sets but 27 might be better.

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Erik the Awful said:

It's a chintzy design. I got a new set of keys and locks for my truck, and I have to fiddle with them a bit to unlock the steering column.

Out of curiosity, has anybody swapped a later GMT400 column into an early truck?

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someotherguy said:

Sure.. and those columns are even worse. Ignition switch problems are way more common, hazard buttons like to break causing brake light issues requiring multifunction switch replacement.. and the wires are really thin for the switch so excessive use of the tilt will break them internally. Sort of like the cruise wiring failures on 94-older columns.

The column itself probably won't fit with the 88-94 dash and surrounding plastics as it's got a larger housing. I've seen 88-94 columns retained when doing a half-ass 95-up interior swap, and while it looks out of place, it "fits" because the 88-94 column is smaller.

Richard

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someotherguy said:

Sure.. and those columns are even worse. Ignition switch problems are way more common, hazard buttons like to break causing brake light issues requiring multifunction switch replacement.. and the wires are really thin for the switch so excessive use of the tilt will break them internally. Sort of like the cruise wiring failures on 94-older columns.

The column itself probably won't fit with the 88-94 dash and surrounding plastics as it's got a larger housing. I've seen 88-94 columns retained when doing a half-ass 95-up interior swap, and while it looks out of place, it "fits" because the 88-94 column is smaller.

Richard

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