1996 STEERING General Motors Corp. - Steering Column
DESCRIPTION & OPERATION
STEERING COLUMN
All models are equipped with tilt columns, and are column shift or floor shift. Steering column components are
designed to collapse if impacted during a collision. Steering shaft and column jacket are 2-piece units injected
with plastic to hold the 2 pieces together as one unit. See Fig. 7 . If column and/or steering wheel are impacted,
the injected plastic will shear, allowing the column assembly to collapse.
BRAKE TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM
This system does not allow shift lever to be moved out of Park unless brake pedal is pressed. With brake pedal
released and ignition on, current flows through BTSI solenoid to ground, energizing solenoid. With solenoid
energized, a lock pawl protrudes from solenoid, preventing shift lever from being moved.
With brake pedal pressed, current flows through stoplight switch to ground side of solenoid. Under this
condition, battery voltage is available on positive and negative sides of solenoid. This causes solenoid to de-
energize, releasing lock pawl.
PARK LOCK CABLE SYSTEM
Park lock cable system prevents lock cylinder from being moved into LOCK position unless shift lever is in
Park and shift lever from being moved from Park unless lock cylinder is out of LOCK position. This is
accomplished by use of a park lock cable connected between lock cylinder and shift lever.
SERVICE PRECAUTIONS
Observe the following precautions when servicing air bag system:
Disable air bag system before attempting any repairs to steering column or components. See
DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM.
Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM) retains back-up voltage for about 10 minutes after air bag system
is disabled. To avoid accidental air bag deployment, wait at least 10 minutes after disabling air bag
system before working on vehicle components.
Always wear safety glasses when working around air bag system.
Always carry live (undeployed) air bag with trim cover facing away from your body. This minimizes
chance of injury if air bag accidentally deploys.
WARNING: All models are equipped with air bag. See SERVICE PRECAUTIONS and
DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM before attempting any
repairs to steering column or components.
1996 Buick Riviera
STEERING COLUMN 1996 STEERING General Motors Corp. - Steering Column
1996 Buick Riviera
STEERING COLUMN 1996 STEERING General Motors Corp. - Steering Column
Virtual Wrench
Sunday, January 16, 2011 7:30:07 AM Page 1 ©
2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
Virtual Wrench
Sunday, January 16, 2011 7:31:41 AM Page 1 ©
2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
