igniton switch\rack and pinion

[old blue 86]

HI guys a quick question.
My 86 with tilt has a issue where when the tilt is up
the starter wont engage.
but centered or down it will.
Is this a switch issue or rack and pinion issue?
Thanks

[Dead Parrot]

Most likely a broken last tooth on the sector gear.

[old blue 86]

Is there any way to verify with out taking the column apart?

[Dead Parrot]

Not that I know of. The 2nd time it happened on mine, I wired in a push button for the start solenoid. Turn key to run and push button to start. Side benefit of being a crude anti theft device.

Is there slop in the column? If so, there are 4(3?) screws at the bottom of the insides that need to be tightened to remove the slop. I think the slop contributes to the tooth breaking.