Truck won't start or come out of gear

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leadlobber7

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1986
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K30
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454
Hello. just changed my ignition switch on my 86 K30 454 TH400 4x4. I did drop the steering column by loosening the two bolts on the engine side of the firewall and also removed the 2 large bolts under the dash that upward support the steering column and the 4 bolts that bolt around the steering column. I got everything put back together and now my truck won't start and it won't go in gear. I've no idea what's going on. I Any help would be appreciated. Thank you


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Goldie Driver

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Hmmmm.

Since it is an auto - there is a shift linkage under the hood that attaches to the shift arm of the column.

Did you somehow get it in a bind under the hood ?

It can be disconnected by removing a cotter pin and washer.

If after doing that the column frees up and the shift bowl turns you will be good.

HTH

Britt
 

Charlie

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leadlobber7

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Hmmmm.

Since it is an auto - there is a shift linkage under the hood that attaches to the shift arm of the column.

Did you somehow get it in a bind under the hood ?

It can be disconnected by removing a cotter pin and washer.

If after doing that the column frees up and the shift bowl turns you will be good.

HTH

Britt
Would that also be the reason why the truck won't start? It is in park and wont come out of park

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73c20jim

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There is a "lock" inside the steering column whereas the shifter will only move if key is on. It will lock it in park or neutral.

Hope I explained this right. Something is not right in the steering column.

Also NSS will only allow the truck to start in Park or Neutral.
 

Goldie Driver

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There is a "lock" inside the steering column whereas the shifter will only move if key is on. It will lock it in park or neutral.

Hope I explained this right. Something is not right in the steering column.

Also NSS will only allow the truck to start in Park or Neutral.
.


He is right - the shift bowl is designed with an interference so that the rod that goes down to the ignition switch cannot move except in certain positions of the shift bowl.
The shift bowl is linked to the transmission rod - the bowl rotates as you pull the shift lever down or up.

My assumption was that all worked OK before.

I guess your ignition switch could be out of adjustment, but I can't see that preventing the bowl moving.

Seems like the trick was to have the key in the run position, then hook the switch on the ignition rod and slightly snug the 2 bolts.
You can then test the start and accessories function and adjust the switch as needed by moving it slightly up or down and snuggling the bolts.

Did the column have issues before?
 

leadlobber7

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Fellers I appreciate the help more than you know! You both were right, I did not move the selector to the right position on the new ignition switch. So it was not in accessory position as the instructions call for on a tilt style column. I removed the switch followed the instructions to a T and everything worked great. Thank you very much for pointing out the obvious as I should have followed in the first place!! Have a great weekend

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