What a surprise... I've owned the car for 4 years, and with only 99,000 miles on the car, I tried to put my 1996 FWB in "park" as I always do, but it stayed in "drive". Being on an incline I turned the engine off and coasted backwards; then put column in "P" and started the car. From habit I put the column shifter in "D" and drove home. After blocking the back wheels, and with a friend shifting gears inside car, I discovered the tang under the hood at end of steering column didn't move when shifting gears. However, I am able to change gears by moving the "tang' at the end of steering column (under the hood) and it goes into whichever gear I choose. Gearshift will go into "P" or "N" to start engine. I know it's something in the column, as the gear shift moves with little resistance... just a faint sound of "scratching". Unfortunately, the GM Service Manual isn't much help in explaining in either the documentation or diagrams...
Any suggestions on repair... or is complete column replacement a better avenue? (I have a burgundy interior)
While you can disassemble a column, it's much easier to swap a column out. Don't worry about colour, they're easy to paint. You must swap your ignition cylinder into the new column for the car to start.
Does anyone out there in Caddyland have any more suggestions... or a complete or partial steering column? I live in Nova Scotia... have paypal...and ready to buy!
As they say in Nova Scotia... "Don't I wish"... however, I don't think they do... the former MV Bluenose that ran for 50 years did (not the one with real sails) but the new one is basically a tourist type vehicle carrier and great for tourists. It can carry freight trucks, but doesn't offer any freight service.
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Hey Outsider... I'm also interested in original chrome wheels... as for shipping, it comes with living on the East Coast and far away. I prefer to interchange the entire column except for the ignition switch and the steering wheel which have to be removed anyway. Mine are in excellent condition and the proper colour. As for the gear shift and the turn and tilt levers, I would prefer they also remain intact for me to decide which to use... it's amazing the small differences GM makes during production that can surprise us... eh!
Thanks for the quick reply... OUTSIDER... There is an outfit in Calais, Maine that will hold large items for pickup... I have a Canadian passport and can enter the USA... pick up an item... go through customs and drive back.... in my 1995 Chevrolet Caprice Wagon!
When shipping across the border to Canada by carriers such as UPS, one has to pay broker fees which can be astronomical. In fact I learned the hard way... years ago, I bought on eBay, and the shipping and broker fees either matched or exceeded the cost of the items on two separate occasions.
The trip could coincide with a trip to visit my brother in New Brunswick.
Almost a month has gone by and I still haven't found a steering column for my 96 FWB... Can't drive my beautiful Cadillac and a bit frustrated. One salvage outfit in the USA was sure they had one, but it turned out to be for a Deville!!!???
there is a guy on ebay that has many parts for these cars and on some of his listing he says " I have many parts for these cars call me" and it has his number.. In the picture there were a few of these cars in the background. Just search, 1996 or 93 Fleetwood, don't forget to put [ -fits] at the end of your search.. If you don't put - fits they will add on half million things you can put on or in your car...
You might find something local. You'll definitely find someone (likely Canadian) willing to ship. Even if they don't list a column, search for some common part. That way, you'll know they actually have your car, and you can call about the column.
Here's an update: In late August I found complete steering column with steering wheel in Edmonton Alberta... and that's a long way from Dartmouth Nova Scotia! But they don't get rust from salty roads like we do. I was quite surprised at the excellent condition of the unit, including the good condition of the leather steering wheel. The unit is black, so I replaced the steering wheel with my original dark BORDEAUX RED steering wheel and air bag. It is hard to notice the colour difference. Cost me under $300.00 Cdn delivered to the door. I installed it ALONE as my good friend was out of town for a few weeks. It works great and after being a bit intimidated before tackling the work, I now know it isn't that difficult a job if one has patience, however, with the expected learning curve... it took me the better part of a weekend to take the old one out and install the new one.
I replaced the ignition key cylinder once I had both columns inside my living room! Now that was the "fun" part... a few well placed curses and it went together as it should. Watching the Blue Jays calmed my anxieties a bit.
The problem in mine will probably never be seen as it is inside the column (my original problem was being unable to shift gears... The gear shift moved with scratching noises from inside the column, but the arm attached to the transmission didn't move at all!) My Cadillac FWB still has just under 100,000 miles and is a joy to drive. My only complaint is it's far too difficult to go as slow as the posted highway speeds!
Thanks for the support... my healed knuckles and knees thank you too! It's on to the next journey in tackling car problems.
BTW... i'm now 77 years young with not an ounce of quit!
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