Ignition Switch Problem! Car won't turn off.
 

I have a 1995 GT, and when I was parking the car today it wouldn't shut off when the key was turned to the off position. I replaced the lock cylinder, and the problem was still there. I installed a new ignition switch, and the problem was still there. I don't know what this could be. Any help with this would be great!!!

Is the wiring harness ok? could be a short in there.

was it running like u didn't take out the key? or was it kinda chugging?

It isn't a wiring harness problem. When I go to shut off the car it won't turn off. Its like the column or somthing is stripped out.

My ignition block went bad and it done the same thing you are talking about. If you have tried that it could be the source of your problem.

Did you replace the lock cylinder(the part the key goes in) or the Ignition switch. You've also got a rod that activates that switch. the gear on the lock cylinder could be bad.. the rod could be stripped and the ignition switch could be bad as well.

Same thing happend to my car. You can start the car but you can't switch it off.

Ok. Here is the deal. The lock cylinder turns a small gear which pushes a plastic rod up and down the steering column. The plastic rod then moves the ignition switch which puts the car into run, start, off, accessory etc. The reason the ignition rod is plastic is so it can bend when the steering column is tilted. It looks like a thin plastic ruler.

I would say you have broken that plastic rod. You can check by removing the plastic and metal plate under the steering column. Stick your head under there with a torch and you turn the key on and off. You will see the plastic rod slide down but only half will slide back up. Thats coz it snapped in half.

Your car will start because the rod can push the ignition switch down but to turn off the car the rod must pull the ignition switch up. Because it is broken it cant do that.

If that is your problem you have to remove the whole steering column and replace the broken plastic parts. It took me most of the weekend and was a total pain in the ass. I should have just replaced the steering column. It would have been far easier ! :yup:

Be sure to replace the ignition switch because they get stiff and can often be the cause of your ignition rod to break.

Oh, and don't bother checking your workshop manual coz there is no diagram in there. They dont show it because that is one way to hotwire cars. :D

1994-95 Mustangs have the same column and ignition. Fox bodies are different and so is 1996 onwards. They use an electronic key and a different ignition rod.

Sorry.. missed the info on the ignition switch. The one's I've worked on didn't have tilt so they were pot metal rods. Never seen a tilt. BTW.. if you've already replaced the ignition switch then it has bolts.. good time to just operate the switch manually and then you'll know :)

replacing tilt steering column actuators
 

Has anyone else tried this?

How hard is it to get these rods out?

Any tips you can offer about techniques or tools?

All help is really appreciated as my son and I intend to perform this repair on Friday.

Thanks, Richard

Re: Ignition Switch Problem! Car won't turn off.
 

After further researching the issue, every person who has ever tried this before says, "don't try it yourself." They go on to say, "buy a second hand column from a salvage yard."

We did go and look at a couple of salvage yard columns and they were mostly a mess. Rain, dirt, broken glass, damaged key cylinders, rusty, etc.

The salvage yard columns run $75-$100 depending on where you live and if a key is included.

What we didn't know and what others seem not to know is that there is a steering column rebuilder in just about every major town in the USA. Turns out these steering column rebuilders specialize in a unique industry of stolen car repair. You can imagine when a car is stolen the theif will break the lock on the steering column. So, these specialist know all about replacing door locks, steerling column cylinders, repairing steering columns, air bags and of course ... the ignitition actuator rod in the Ford Mustangs and Tarus.

One easy way to find these guys is to go to www.yahoo.com, click the "yellow pages" icon, set it to your location, type in and search on the word "steering." For some reason these guys are not in the automotive repair section of the Yellow Pages, so don't look there.

We decided to buy the part (plastic actuator rod cost only $9 at the dealer) and pay a steering column specialist to install it. The installation was about $100 and included all labor (I.E. we didn't have to do anything but drive the car there).

Good luck and hope this helps everyone in your time of need!

Re: Ignition Switch Problem! Car won't turn off.
 

good info to know. good job

Re: Ignition Switch Problem! Car won't turn off.
 

Mine was a STARTER SOLENOID on the fender. Went through 2 of them before problem was solved. By the more expensive one. Like $8. LOL

i have the same problem on mine and i found the problem, just dont know how to remove the plastic peace with the gear and pin, do i have to remove the entire steering collum?

1998 Mustang convertible engine starts without key
 

Only had this car about two months. At first, I thought it was my imagination, but yesterday I put car in park (auto trans), turned off engine, took out key and pressed the lock button on door. Lights flashed on dash including "theft," and as I stepped out of car, the engine started up with no key in ignition and in park. Jumped back in car, put parking brake on, key in ignition and turned off engine. This happened twice before. Stopped by a mechanic and he said it's ignition switch and could start a fire (he didn't check the car, but told me to bring it in tomorrow for a new ignition switch).

I had put two heavy duty magnets in side compartment of driver's-side door which had attached to my keychain. I use to secure a shower curtain over back window which is leaking. Wonder if the magnets had anything to do with this.

Anyone know of this happening?:happyhapp:happyhapp:happyhapp Help, please.