Ignition will not go back to off position

**buickman104** · 05-22-2013

Once in a while (becoming more frequent) when I shut the engine off the ignition will not allow me to click the ignition switch to the off position as if I had turned the engine off while still in drive, not park. I would turn the ignition switch to run and play with the shifter rowing through gears try again and try again until finally the ignition switch would allow me to click it to OFF.

Eventually I realized that it had nothing to do with the transmission gear select because when the ignition acted up I would be able to turn it to OFF by just playing back and forth with my ignition and not touching the shifter at all. My car has well over 200k and is city driven so I guess something is worn and needs to be replaced. Any ideas or suggestions as to what needs to be replaced (aside from the whole car

?

**BillBoost37** · 05-22-2013

Try pulling the little cover off the bottom of your steering column. The one that lets you release the key when the shifter release doesn't do it's thing. Because technically it actuates a soleniod in the column. If pushing that button in there always releases the key.. stuff a small piece of vacuum hose in there and smile...free repair.

**buickman104** · 05-22-2013

The key lock mechanism has never worked and I could always pull the key out even with the engine running. By having that button pushed will it also allow me to defaultly turn the ignition back to the off position too?

**cmal37** · 05-22-2013

Yes, I have the button on mine zip tied so it always works as well

**buickman104** · 05-22-2013

Thanks. I will give it a shot!

One more ZIP TIE added to holding the Millennium Falcon together!

**BillBoost37** · 05-22-2013

Lemme put it this way..that new shifter I did. I haven't hooked up any electrical except the light to it. In the meantime I did what I suggested you do.