84 Caprice Starter Problems

I Have a 1984 Caprice Classic tonight I went to start it because it's cold and ended up draining the battery, so I try to jump start it with my other car and the caprice was in neutral while I was trying to start it, when it wouldn't start so I left it alone, I came back to start it again but this time none of the lights that come on when you try to crank it would not come on the and the radio doesn't work in Acc mode plus I can shift the car gears without the key being the ignition now can anyone tell what could the problem be????

Recommend you remove the battery and let it warm up in the house.

Then, charge the battery and reinstall. If the cable connections are dirty/corroded, clean 'em.

If it turns over but doesn't start, you don't have a starter problem.

Thing about jump starting is that you need to ensure the other battery is healthy, and you MUST have a set of GOOD jumper cables (at least 2 ga copper, but 0 or 00-ga is more better).

I've melted the insulation from cheap jumper cables with amps that needed to get to the starter. I now have a set made from 00-ga welding cables. Never a problem since.

I forgot to mention that when I turn the key, thats all it does is turn I don't have to hold it to crank it anymore

Something is mechanically amiss in the steering column from what you say. Maybe a broken off pin? You'll have to pop the steering wheel off which requires 2 pullers, one to get the wheel off and the other to depress the plate below it. I've had mine apart for other issues but never saw one like yours. It might even be as simple as the ignition key cylinder.

Bob

Ohhhhhhhhhh. I'd have to second the vote on lock cyl. They do wear, but mine is original w/370k miles. It's loose (sloppy loose, not falling off loose), but still works fine