[rocknrollben]

I have a '78 G20 and have a weird problem. When I put the shifter into drive, the voltage drops down to 9V. But if I move the shifter around (it's loose in the column) and land it into 'just the right spot', the voltage kicks back up to normal. The grommet or bushing or whatever it was that is on the end of the shifter has disintegrated so the shifter is loose. I tried to take it apart today to see if I could tighten up the inside of the column but did not get past the turn signal mechanism. Is there something inside there that is shorting out? Have you ever heard of electrical problems coming from the steering column? My mechanic is trying to tell me it's the alternator but it seeing as how if a play with the shifter and it jumps back to a good charge then that doesn't seem to be the case. If you could tell me anything about it at all it is greatly appreciated.

[cobalt327]

The column is flat ate up w/wiring that runs the full length of the column. I'd have thought you'd have been blowing fuses and/or circuit breakers, or melting wiring, but if not, consider yourself lucky.

To get further into the column, you need a tool that compresses the turn signal plate enough to remove the c-clip that secures it. Get the tool at most any parts store, they cost around $15-$20. Once the clip is out of the way, the turn signal assembly can be removed, once the wiring is disconnected at the bottom of the column.

But the problem might not have anything to do w/the internal wiring of the column. You should have a helper move the shifter (key on, engine off) while you look under the hood and beneath the truck to see if the shift linkage is catching on any wiring, etc.

If that all checks out, then get into the column further.