My73 won't start. Shifter loc + Ignition switch? Battery=great. Fuses=OK,

[dutchfish]

Fantastic site, glad to have found it!

I am back to college in a week and need my truck.

I have a grand 73 GMC Truck. Love the way it was made and the motorheads since then. I am not a motorhead myself, but will smartly tinker where I can. Fine work has been done on her, described as "old school".

1) For about 12 starts the gear shifter must be held in upper left (P)while turning ignition. Also, the shroud about the column at the gear selector, has a about a 1/4 - 1/8 inch looseness where I can slide toward dash. Now, no crank-over, no lights.

I checked fuses. I found the NS Switch. I tried to start in Neutral, no change. I am also told it is in the steering linkage??

Truly any help is most appreciated. Thank You!

[tucsonjwt]

There should be no play at all in the steering column. When I went through this, I had a mechanic change the ignition lock cylinder, I changed ignition switch and neutral switch - finally I had a auto electric shop diagnose and rebuild the upper steering column - which is what it really needed. I always run into trouble when I crack open a steering column, so I leave that to the pros. Steering column work is very expensive to have done. I would call the best auto electric shop in your neighborhood and describe your symptoms and get an estimate for a diagnosis. I say this because you don't have a lot of time to fool around with experimentation, and any looseness in the steering column is cause for concern and could be dangerous. Good luck.

[dutchfish]

Thanks so much for your reply, and to make me aware of the dangers of the column. Huge bummer if you are correct, nonetheless I thank you.

Cheers,
Melissa