Strange ignition switch short...

[sreams]

My ignition switch has an intermittent short in the on position. After starting the car, I must jiggle the key in order to prevent the ignition from shutting off and killing the motor. Finding the right key position before the engine dies can be tricky. I can tell I've got it when the idiot lights stay on (at least until oil pressure and alternator voltage come up).

The strange thing is... the short seems to not exist if the car isn't actually running. I can turn the key to the on position without starting, and no amount of jiggling will shut off the ignition (idiot lights stay on).

I'm thinking I'll need a new switch, but if someone has an idea about repairing the problem without replacing the switch, I'm all ears.

-Scott

 

[MMercury]

My ignition switch has an intermittent short in the on position. After starting the car, I must jiggle the key in order to prevent the ignition from shutting off and killing the motor. Finding the right key position before the engine dies can be tricky. I can tell I've got it when the idiot lights stay on (at least until oil pressure and alternator voltage come up).

The strange thing is... the short seems to not exist if the car isn't actually running. I can turn the key to the on position without starting, and no amount of jiggling will shut off the ignition (idiot lights stay on).

I'm thinking I'll need a new switch, but if someone has an idea about repairing the problem without replacing the switch, I'm all ears.

-Scott

http://www.e9coupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10904
http://www.e9coupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9454
http://www.e9coupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9407
http://www.e9coupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8939

 

[61porsche]

Besides

the electrical switch becoming loose at the wired end, there is a small grub screw to lock it into the barrel which extends upward to the lock.

After time, that little screw can come loose and twist the lock barrel/ switch in the wrong direction and MAYBE just needs rotated and secured.

Take the column cover off and observe while turning the switch. It's usually reported that the ACC position goes away or is very tricky to reach that position. Perhaps in your case springing from run to acc position.

 

[sreams]

Thanks guys. I had seen one of those threads but not the others. I took the bottom cover off of the steering column and found that if I held the plug in place the problem went away. I was able to dimple the housing at the edge and get the plug to stay nicely in place. Problem solved. Thanks again!

-Scott

 

[pmansson]

This board is a true joy

As I have one car with this issue, I decided to read the thread. In fact on that car I had the symptoms about 2-3 years ago. It happened about 4-5 times, but has not happened since.....I have the spare contact with its wiring in the trunk but have not gotten down to changing it yet. I remember reading about the remedy at that time.