steering column issues?

[nuc_meltdown]

Not sure if this is the right place, so feel free Mods to move.

My cousin has a 2003 Chevy truck. 4x4. He is having some issues with different things that I assume are all in the steering column. Many times he can put the key in, turn the ignition and the truck won't start. Everything lights up, but no crank. He also says the gear selector is loose and he has to wiggle it to get the key out. He says that when the lights/parking lights are on the left turn signal flashes slowly. I think the truck doesn't think it's in park, so that's why the no start or won't release the key, but not sure if that is related to the turn signal issue. How would you "tighten" the gear selector? Would that cause these issues or is it a coincidence and there is actually multiple problems? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Time2Kill]

Not sure if this is the right place, so feel free Mods to move.

My cousin has a 2003 Chevy truck. 4x4. He is having some issues with different things that I assume are all in the steering column. Many times he can put the key in, turn the ignition and the truck won't start. Everything lights up, but no crank. He also says the gear selector is loose and he has to wiggle it to get the key out. He says that when the lights/parking lights are on the left turn signal flashes slowly. I think the truck doesn't think it's in park, so that's why the no start or won't release the key, but not sure if that is related to the turn signal issue. How would you "tighten" the gear selector? Would that cause these issues or is it a coincidence and there is actually multiple problems? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

The range switch is on the side of the transmission. It's a black module that the shift cable goes to. You can loosen the bolts up on it and rotate it to adjust it so that it reads PRNDL correctly. There are also adjustments on the shift cable if needed.

 

[nuc_meltdown]

So the technical term is "range switch"?
Appreciate the info. I thought for sure it would have been in the column. lol

 

[Time2Kill]

So the technical term is "range switch"?
Appreciate the info. I thought for sure it would have been in the column. lol

Yea, no adjustments in the column.

On GM vehicles, it's usually referred to as Range switch. Can also be referred to as Neutral Safety Switch.

It's on the driver side of the transmission.

 

[nuc_meltdown]

Thanks Tim. We'll look into that.

 

[Time2Kill]

If the gear selector itself is loose, you can pop the plastic trim off around the column, and there is a a single Torx screw that holds the shift lever on the column.

Not sure what would cause the blinker issues.