GM-GMC: 1985 GMC S1500 Jimmy shift coulmn lockup?, chilton manuals, salvage yard

Question
I hope you can help me with this problem, as even the dealership's service department seems not to be able to give any advice!

Here is the problem... My 1985 GMC S1500, Automatic transmission, Jimmy's steering column shifter would not unlock and go into gear after the key was turned on and the engine started?  You could jiggle the shifter up and down, and eventually the shifter would unlock and go into the gear ranges.  This condition, off and on, has gotten more frequent over time to the point that you are not sure when you park you can even get it into to gear after the SUV has been started!

In the last two days it has started a new problem on top of the one above... the key is now locked in the on position and won't turn off or come out?  I have opened up the column, as far as I can (as per the manuals) short of taking the key/lock assembly out, because the "Haynes & Chilton" manuals I have both state... "BEFORE YOU REMOVE THE LOCK ASSEMBLY MAKE SURE IT IS IN THE OFF POSITION!"...

I am pretty sure the problem is in the column since the key is stuck in the on position, but why?  And what should I do now with the key stuck in that position?  Neither service manual even mentions a problem like this????   HELP!


Answer
I recently had a similar problem with my 84 K-2500.  Mine would not turn to the "Start" position.

There are some cast metal parts in the steering column that link the lock cylinder to the rod that activates the ignition switch.  The switch is physically located on top of the column down near the firewall end of it.  The cast parts can break and jam and prevent the lock cylinder from operating properly.  After 20 years of use, one really cannot fault the design of the system.

The easiest and cheapest solution is to buy another column from a salvage yard.  You can price them at www.car-part.com and local yards as well.  The good news is that there are many interchange years that work in these trucks and used steering columns are widely available.

Shop around.  Local yards wanted $200 for the column I needed.  I bought one over the Internet for $80 delivered.

Replacing it is not too bad of a job unless you are not mechanically-inclined.  If you have to pay a mechanic to fix it, changing the column will be cheaper than trying to fix it.  Many columns come with the key, so the lock cylinder will not be an issue when replacing the column.