Key will not turn to off position while vehicle is running

[Rocket Man]

That's a relief. I was wondering if I could get that thing out with the key stuck where it is. For now I'm enjoying the weather and drinking some Scotch about it. Tomorrow is a new day. Thank you all for all your input.

If you pull the column cover off, there’s a hole at the top over the cylinder. Put an Allen or a pick in that hole and push down to release the cylinder. You might have to turn it past the start position just a bit iirc. You’ll know it’s in the right position when you’re able to push down on the spring-loaded button inside. And if you want the new cylinder keyed to your old key, take both cylinders to a locksmith and have him re-key the new cylinder to the old key before you install it.

 

[OR VietVet]

@PNW VietVet?

No need for me to get involved here. @Rocket Man has it covered. I would do both the tumbler and the ignition switch.

 

[OR VietVet]

It feels like it *might* be able to turn from on to start, of course I'm assuming these things will prevent the starter from engaging if the engine is already running so not 100% sure. I've tried going that way and it sure doesn't feel like it turns as far forward as it should.

If you ever turn that key from running to the start position, while the engine is running, you will cringe at the noise and you can not only damage the teeth of the starter drive but also the teeth on the flex plate. Never do that if you can keep from it. Chewed up teeth are never fun to hear.

 

[wh7tkn7t]

This ended up going smoothly. The ignition switch itself is fine, in fact once I looked at it in daylight I could tell that somebody had been in the steering column and it's been replaced (I've had this vehicle for just over two years). It was the lock cylinder that was the issue. When I went in through the top and depressed the locking pin to remove the cylinder I was able to pull it out about 1/4 inch but it would not come out all the way. On the bottom of the cylinder there's this little brass plate that holds the tumblers in place which had come loose, I think that was the source of the jam. I just had to press it back in with a screwdriver and the cylinder came out. Pulled out the ignition switch and made sure that little plastic gear was in the ON position, popped in the new cylinder and off we go. If anybody else runs into this all you really have to do to shut it off is pull the ignition switch out of the bottom of the column and push that white plastic gear forward with your thumb. I got a good chuckle out of that.

 

[Rocket Man]

View attachment 256537

This ended up going smoothly. The ignition switch itself is fine, in fact once I looked at it in daylight I could tell that somebody had been in the steering column and it's been replaced (I've had this vehicle for just over two years). It was the lock cylinder that was the issue. When I went in through the top and depressed the locking pin to remove the cylinder I was able to pull it out about 1/4 inch but it would not come out all the way. On the bottom of the cylinder there's this little brass plate that holds the tumblers in place which had come loose, I think that was the source of the jam. I just had to press it back in with a screwdriver and the cylinder came out. Pulled out the ignition switch and made sure that little plastic gear was in the ON position, popped in the new cylinder and off we go. If anybody else runs into this all you really have to do to shut it off is pull the ignition switch out of the bottom of the column and push that white plastic gear forward with your thumb. I got a good chuckle out of that.

Did you rekey the new cylinder to the old key so your door and ignition key are the same and you don’t have to carry 2 keys?

 

[wh7tkn7t]

I'll get around to it. I've got a better chance of finding a million bucks than finding a locksmith on the weekend around here.