Ignition Mechanism

[Cam]

So, I was redoing the ground to my deck, and while I had the deck laying out by the shifter I was experimenting with different ground locations for the deck, attempting to clean up some alternator whine/ground loop issues.

I was sitting there, turning the car on/off to relocate the ground, taking the keys out each time. Then, all of a sudden, the keys would still come out, but the ignition switch would not come back to the "LOCK" position.

So, I am having to take the ground off the battery to turn my car off.

Is there something electrical back behind the stereo that would cause that? Or do I need to source a new ignition switch?

[icingdeath88]

Where all did you try grounding the head unit?

[Cam]

To the battery, to the ground on the block, random points on the chassis/frame...it just didn't help. No fuses blew or anything. They were all good grounds. The problem may be internal to my amplifier. I am hoping not. I did a kind of ghetto job on the stereo install 2 years ago...so I am going to fix that and see if it helps. Electrical tape will be replaced with proper connectors and heat shrink.

[92snowmachine]

it's possible you messed up the wiring from the trans to the ignition switch. if it doesn't think your car is in park it won't let you turn it to lock and take the key out, but should still let you turn it off.

[dragoontwo]

Did you try making sure that the shifter went ALL the way forward? I've had it happen to me a couple of times.

[Cam]

Well, my lock cylinder is worn out. Everything else is working perfectly. I am getting shavings out of the cylinder when I remove the keys. Car starts in park and neutral. But the key still won't rotate back into the lock position. Ordered a new lock cylinder. 32 bucks from my contact.

[icingdeath88]

Are you going to have it re-keyed for your keys?

[Cam]

The dealer cant match a lock cylinder to your current vehicle. You have to get a completely new lock set for the entire car. Or so I was told.

I may do it in the future, by right now I am gonna rock 2 different keys. No biggie.

[icingdeath88]

Originally Posted by Cam

The dealer cant match a lock cylinder to your current vehicle. You have to get a completely new lock set for the entire car. Or so I was told.

I may do it in the future, by right now I am gonna rock 2 different keys. No biggie.

Nah, two keys sucks worse than you'd think. It's manageable if they're different styles though.

[Cam]

I had two keys on my accord. It wasn't too bad. I have more important things to fix on the car right now.

[icingdeath88]

Originally Posted by Cam

I have more important things to fix on the car right now.

You and me both man. So how's the 11:1 life?

[Cam]

Originally Posted by icingdeath88

You and me both man. So how's the 11:1 life?

Excellent . I got the idle evened out a little bit, it doesn't die anymore, but its still a little rough around 600 RPM. I feel like I need to adjust timing and AFR...but I cannot do that until I replace the computer.

Since I got the idle figured out, I will most likely wait until the tranny has gotten some love before I dump more money/power into the engine.

I will, however, post pics in my engine build thread about how I adjusted the idle and which screw it was, etc...

Still planning on the overhaul?

[Cam]

Originally Posted by 92snowmachine

it's possible you messed up the wiring from the trans to the ignition switch. if it doesn't think your car is in park it won't let you turn it to lock and take the key out, but should still let you turn it off.

If that is it, what wires back there belong to the ignition? I have had my hands much deeper behind the stereo than I did today, I don't feel like I could have messed anything up.

[pile o' wrx]

My RS did this a few weeks back.

I pulled the covers for the steering column and found the cable for the trans, and tumbler pawl, had bound up locking the key in place. just a quick nudge with a small, chisel-head, screwdriver and everything is reseated. She's mostly highway miles so I don't have the wear in my tumbler that you describe.

[kinz]

Sounds like time for a remote start.