Curious about linkage

[jowens1126]

I noticed that at the base of the steering column there is a linkage going to the transmission.  I wasnt expecting to see that with a floor shifter.  What does the one on the column do?

 

[Don C]

It's the ignition lockout. You can't turned the key off unless an automatic is in park or a manual is in reverse, when adjusted correctly. You also can't shift out of park or reverse when the key is off, I think anyway, mine doesn't have one.

 

[jowens1126]

that makes sense.