Steering Column Repair: 1989 Cutlass Ciera Steering Column, 1989 cutlass ciera, 2 nuts

Question
I HAVE RECENTLY REPLACD THE STEERING COLUMN IN MY 1989 CUTLASS CIERA WITH A JUNK YARD COLUMN. EVERYTHING WENT WELL WITH THE INSTALLATION, BUT WHEN I TURNED THE KEY TO START THE CAR THE STARTER DID NOT CRANK AT ALL. EVERYTHING ON THE COLUMN WORKS LIGHTS GO ON WHEN KEY IS TURNED,HORN, BLINKERS, HAZARDS AND WIPERS ALL WORK. COULD COLUMN IGNITION BE DEFECTIVE, FUSE BLOWN, ALARM SYSTEM ? CAR WAS STOLEN AND LEFT SIDE OF COLUMN WAS BROKEN, SO I WAS ABLE TO START CAR WITH A SCREWDRIVER BEFORE I CHANGED THE COLUMN. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU EVER CAME ACROSS THIS PROBLEM AND ANY POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO HELP ME GET THIS CAR STARTED.

Answer
Hello Steve,
It's possible the Cutlass has an aftermarket alarm. You probably would have seen it under the dash when you replaced the column.
You can try adjusting the ignition switch located on top of the lower part of the column. There are 2 nuts that hold the switch in place. Loosen the nuts to adjust it as the mount holes are oblong for this adjustment.

If your column has a neutral switch on the column, check it's adjustment too. Have you tried starting it in neutral?

The first thing you'll want to check is that the solenoid wire is being powered when the ignition key is at the start position. Have someone turn the key while you use a test light on the small wire to the solenoid. If there is no power to this wire, you'll need to check the wiring between the column and the bulkhead (floorboard). If the key switch turns on the dash lights, etc., then your ignition switch is OK.

I would start at the column switch adjustments before I'd start unwrapping wires.
Hope that helps.
Have a great day!
-Jay