[1971 Avanti II ignition problems]

How did you gain access to observe the problem?

If it wasn't too difficult, perhaps you could find a donor steering column in a junkyard that uses the same gear. Junkyards are on a computer system so they can locate parts in other yards.

Try a locksmith that works on car ignition switches, they may have catalogs which include repair parts if they exist.

Chances are that part is not serviced separately by the maker, anyway, and unfortunately it may be very difficult to find out if it is... you might try the parts department at a Chrysler or Chevy dealer to see if they have anything in their system, though I doubt they will.

eBay (see if these columns/parts look like yours... ignore the steering wheel and levers, look at the lock area):

http://tinyurl.com/n7f7z

http://tinyurl.com/qpf4w

http://tinyurl.com/rhwm4

http://tinyurl.com/r2lpr

http://tinyurl.com/ruxfu

http://tinyurl.com/lms7o

http://tinyurl.com/pb73o

http://tinyurl.com/qemnh

http://tinyurl.com/ntbcr

Is the gear steel, diecast metal, or plastic? Alternatively, it may not be a big job for a machine shop to duplicate it or possibly to repair the bad tooth with some very careful welding and grinding, or even something like JB Weld if the tooth is not under a lot of stress.

Worst case, you could always wire an aftermarket ignition switch into the car

if you can find a spot to mount it.

I look forward to seeing your photos.

Wayne you found exactly what I need in your first link, I didn't even think about column repair kits. That kit has the gear I need. The gear is made of plastic and to get to it I needed a plate depressor to get the plate behind the wheel off. Not too bad, but not fun either. I thought about using JB weld and crafting the tooth back on as well before I found that.

The gear is in the bottom of the pic in the center in the first link. Thanks for your help I greatly appreciate it.

[1971 Avanti II ignition problems]

Sorry to hear about your problem. If all else fails,PM me and I'll make copies from the repair manuals I have and snail mail them to you. I do believe these are GM columns. AMC used GM columns in some of their cars along this time. Although it doesn't sound like a worn key is the problem it may be something to check into before going any farther. RD Maxon

Well I was able to pinpoint the problem. It turns out that the gear that connects the lock cylinder to the rod to turn the ignition switch on/off has lost the last tooth and when the key is turned to the on position the gear is not in contact with the rod anymore and the rod moves and then when the key is turned to the off position it is basically locked from going to the on position again due to the rod moving. Any one have an idea where I can get one of these gears? I tried NAPA with no luck. And I was able to find an old manual of my Dad's that has every U.S. manufacturer of cars from '77-'84 and the exact column used in the AMC's is the same as in my Avanti. I checked GM in it and they weren't similiar but again thats 6 years after my Avanti was new and maybe AMC used the same column as GM from '71 all the way to '84

I'll try and get a picture of the gear up tonight.

[1971 Avanti II ignition problems]

Hi Guys,

I have a 1971 Avanti II w/4speed that I think has a bad ignition switch. I started it just over a month ago fine and yesterday I went to start it again and could not turn the ignition key into the on position. It would rotate back to turn on the accessories but not forward to fire the engine. I'm guessing that I have an AMC ignition as I have an AMC key for the car, and it is a tilt column. Any ideas? Also how do you remove the ignition switch from the column?

Thanks,

John