Steering Column Repair: Ignition switch slide bar, needle nose pliers, steering column repair

Question
QUESTION: 93 Chevy Silverado 1500 short bed 350 w/tilt.went to re-install switch but push rod end is straight up and wont go in the switch and mount to column.Seems like it should be side ways across column.Did it turn some how ?


GM lock cylinder   ANSWER: Hello Bryant:

You can either turn the lock cylinder to match the rod and then insert it, or turn the rod with a pair of needle nose pliers to match the lock.  Either way, once the lock is installed, if everything else inside the column is ok, it should work fine.
Why are you replacing the lock cylinder (I think that's what you are talking about)

Doug


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QUESTION: no sir,the ignition switch on the column under the dash.It has a rod that goes from the left across from the cylinder and goes down the top of the column to the switch.9 pin 5 inches long(with bracket), 1 mounting nut and 1 stud threaded on each end.

ANSWER: Bryant
Why are you changing the switch?  I ask this because it may give me insight as to what happened to your actuator rod.



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

QUESTION: the key would turn on the starter motor when in the on position (before you push the key forward to the start position).There fore its burnt,and it smells like it.It should only try to start in the start(push forward)Position.
I didn't and couldn't see any problem with the rod before starting the switch change.

Thanks

Answer
OK thanks Bryant:

Your diagnosis was fine, and the replacement should be a simple job.  Most of the GM vehicles have a rod that points straight up (vertical).  Some of the conversion and G Vans, or Caprice/ Cadillac models have a rod that is parallel to the shaft (horizontal), but I don't think your vehicle is one of them.  
Sometimes the rod turns if there is a problem with the actuator rod or gears inside the column but your symptoms would have been a "no start" and a broken rack, not an electrical problem as you described.

Unless yo had to remove extra brackets to get the old switch out, you should have taken off a switch that mounts on to the vertical rod.  If the new switch is not IDENTICAL to your old one, it's a wrong application and a wrong switch.  There are also a couple of holes in the switches that may confuse you as to how it mounts (I've seen that before), so double check you are attempting to mount it correctly on the tube before you condemn it as a wrong switch, otherwise return it and have them look up the part number again.  Match your old one by matching the plastic shapes and mounting brackets together (not just the bracket) and you should be fine.

Good luck
Doug