Steering Column Repair: wont come out of park, steering column repair, chevrolet oldsmobile

Question
QUESTION: hi.....i have a 1998 buick regal,when i start the car the dash lights go crazy.the speedo needle goes wild,mileage flashes from trip to miles.all that will stop after awhile, but the airbag,brake, and anti lock brake light stay on. and it won't come out of park.  'help'


gm ignition switch   ANSWER: Hi Larry:

Sorry for your troubles.  The problem with your vehicle is the ignition switch...not to be confused with the ignition lock cylinder.  The ignition switch is the electrical part with the harness that runs the length of the column and connects under the dash to the rest of the car.  There are circuits in there that go bad and do exactly what you are experiencing.  The switch can be bought from $85 to $150 depending on where you buy it.  The labor to replace it should run you about $100

I've attached a picture of it and if you want to do it yourself, we have recently uploaded pages and a description of how to replace the ignition switch on GM vehicles.  They are broken down into step by step detailed instructions. Here is a link to that page.  This covers many of the switches from 1995 to present (including yours).

http://www.steeringcolumnservices.com/steering-column-repair-how-to-instructions

Lastly, I would have a new switch in hand before you begin, to see what you are working on (hidden in the column) and accomplish finishing this job quickly.

Good luck
Doug

http://www.steeringcolumnservices.com


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i'm back !! lol....need help again...that fixed the problem thank you so much for the info.i have a new problem now, when i turn the key to start the car it won't do anything.battery is good , relays are good,i jump the starter motor turns over but won't start. acks like no power is getting to the coil pack. could it be the ignition lock cylinder?
         thank you
         larry

ANSWER: Hello again Larry
That one sounds like the VAT system failure.  I believe your key has a chip on it.  If so, then the lock cylinder is not reading the chip anymore, so it will not allow power to the proper components.   
We have recently uploaded pages and a description of how to bypass the VATS system on GM vehicles that have the chip on the key on our company website (for a small fee).  They are broken down into step by step detailed instructions.
http://www.steeringcolumnservices.com/steering-column-repair-how-to-instructions

I hope these instructions help you.  If not, please contact me again for more information.
Lastly, if you need parts to repair this column simply email us on our "Contact Us / Order Parts" page and we will get back in touch with you personally

Good luck

Doug

http://www.steeringcolumnservices.com


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i bypassed the vats system,but its still not working. could it be the ignition lock cylinder itself?   i notice something when i as working on it,when the key is in the on position the windows and radio don't work, but when the key is in the acc. position both work.

Answer
Hi Larry:

Sorry for the delay.  I was out of town and traveling the past few days.
It very well could be the ignition switch itself although I have not seen that many fail.  From the description of symptoms though, it appears that that may be the problem in your case.  All of the circuits 'should light up' in both the ACC or the ON position regardless of the VATS circuit.  You can certainly try and jump the dead circuits to a live wire to simulate a good switch and see if that works.

I hope this helps you
Doug