1990 electronic automantic tilt steering wheel wont work when i turn on ignition

STEERING WHEEL TILT LEVER ON LOWER LEFT OF THE STEERING WHEEL NEXT TO THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH JUST LOOK FOR ANOTHER LEVER BELOW TURN SIGNAL SWITCH THATS YOUR STEERING WHEEL TILT LEVER. YOU CANT MISS IT UNLESS IT BROKEN OFF.

turn steering wheel left to right or tilt steering if has tilt to windshield turn key

Not sure if this helps, but I've seen cases where the steering wheel and tilt assembly loosen up from the steering column. When this happens, the linkage that activates the ignition switch becomes "too short". That's why if you lift the wheel, it "lengthens" the linkage and activates the switch. If this is your problem, the steering wheel has to come off to tighten the tilt assembly bolts. I don't recommend messing with it personally due to the complexity buried inside modern steering wheels (air bag, horn, tilt, cruise controls, audio controls, etc.). Take it somewhere you trust.

Good luck.

Disconnect the negative battery cable with the proper size wrench and place away from the battery.

Insert the key into the ignition lock cylinder and turn the key to the run position.

2 Remove the steering column cover on a tilt steering wheel model by pressing the upper and lower section of the cover together and pulling free from the mounting plate. Remove the steering column covers on a non tilt steering wheel model by using a Philips screwdriver and unscrewing the mounting screws.

3 Disconnect the electrical connector from the ignition switch by lifting up on the release tab and pulling.

Press the ignition switch actuator pin by pushing a small screw driver into the key lock cylinder, while doing this pull the ignition switch out of the ignition switch housing.

Installation

1 Insert the new key into the new ignition switch and turn the key to the run position. Insert the new ignition switch into the ignition switch housing. Wiggle the switch back and forth until the actuator pin mounting hole is aligned and falls into place.

2 Install the electrical connector back into the connector housing by pressing it in with your hands.

3 Place the steering column covers back onto the non tilt steering wheel and insert mounting screws. Tighten screws using a Philips screwdriver. Place the steering column covers over the tilt steering wheel and press the upper and lower portion together to snap covers back into the mounting plate.

4 Pull on the ignition key to ensure switch is locked into place. Turn key to the "off" position and remove the key. Insert the key and start the vehicle.

hope this helps you

The locking mechanism has several parts other than the lock. Many of them are made from cheap Korean pot metal.If wiggling the key (gently), or adjusting the tilt wheel, or wiggling the shifter doesn't work, you may have something broken inside the steering column.

I just had that same problem on a silverado. Yes, you have to replace the switch. Autozone has a tool you can use to remove the steering wheel. If you are not mechanically inclinced you can still do this. Removing the steering wheel sounds scary, or at least it did to me, but it wasnt bad at all.

try turning the steering wheel a bit. it may be the steering has the steering lock in a bind.
if that dont work wiggle key sideways and in and out a little then have lock cyl replaced

Not an exact solution, but perhaps information that might lead to one.

1.Replaced the tumblers? I believe I would replace the entire ignition switch this time. It's my belief that the body of the ignition switch is worn inside, and will keep damaging the tumblers.

2.Do you have a tilt steering wheel? It's best to keep the steering column in straight line when starting the car, then tilt the wheel to where you want, after the car is started. When the steering column is in a tilted position, it puts undue strain on the ignition key switch, and the mechanism the ignition key switch operates, on GM vehicles.

This mechanism, consists of a half moon gear on the ignition key switch, that turns inside a 'Planetary' gear. I used the term 'Planetary', as the gear shape is hard to describe. It resembles an oblong loop, shaped like the number 9, with gear teeth on the inside bottom of the loop. This 'Loop' rotates, when the gear teeth of the ignition key switch, engage the teeth on the loop, and pushes a rod, or retracts the rod. The rod goes down the side of your steering column, and turns on, or turns off an ignition switch, located at the bottom left side of the steering column.

Having the steering wheel tilted, puts a strain on the ignition key switch internals, the oblong loop can break, and/or gear teeth can be stripped off.

Yes, it will fit.Years that fit are 89 to 94.Appearance may be different it steering wheel between a chev or gmc,but wiring should be a exact fit.Other differences in columns are column shift(auto)w/tilt or w/out tilt wheel or floor shift(standard)w/tilt or w/out.

have tilt wheel? try unlocking tilt and moving it as you try to turn key..replace key and/or ignition switch if that doesnt work..if it does ..the linkage is damaged in steering column to switch at base