Key Removal

[stickshift_or_walk]

So far, every one of these trucks I've owned allows you to remove the key from the ignition with the switch in the run or accessory positions. Is this just a symptom of a worn switch, or is it an intentional feature?

I'm just curious. Sometimes it comes in handy, unlocking gates and such - kinda wish the other vehicles did it, too.

SSOW

[jimfulco]

It's just worn. My '69 key won't come out unless it's off. I have on a few occasions scraped a GM key's teeth with a pocket knife just enough to cause it to come out any time, but if you're not careful (patient, etc.) you can ruin the key. Don't try it with an original.

[Jeremy_5]

so is it the key that causes it or something worn internally in the ingnition switch? It just happened to me the other day while I was driving to work all of the sudden while reaching for something I hit the keys and they fell to the floor it sure shocked me.

[Brainchild]

It's prolly both the switch and key that is worn.My key will start dads truck,and the dump truck,and those keys will start mine.Mine might even start with a screwdriver,who knows

My key also falls out on it's own driving down the hiway,and when i get to my destination I'm looking in the floor to be able to turn it off

[Stocker]

Mine's been like that for years and I think it's just the worn lock, because I've had new keys cut and they do the same thing.
Can't start it with a screwdriver, though.

[jimfulco]

I always figured it was the key, because the first one I ever scraped was for my '72 Nova, which was only about 3 days old at the time.

[useRc10]

i thought they all came out?...all three of mine do anyways

[cochran63]

Mine will come out on the ON position but you have to jingle the key around a little bit first.

[68w/sbc406]

mine dont come out but my door locks can be opened with any chevy key, good thing you guys dont know where i live

[Blue Beard]

The keys are made of brass, even the silver ones. Makes them soft after awhile.

Use to do locksmith work.....never saw the tumblers in the lock wear out. Actually GM uses what's called a sidebar wafer lock.

I have a key machine with a micrometer on it and use to take a worn key and add .010 to it and then reduce it back to proper working condition.

[Tx Firefighter]

Exactly, Blue Beard is right. The key is softer than the lock tumblers for a reason. The key is meant to wear so the lock won't.

If someone had new keys cut and they still come out like the old key did, it's because the new key is an exact copy of the old worn out one..

A new, proper, key should make it like new again, and stop some of the frantic searching around in the dark floorboard area for keys that fell out.

[LONGHAIR]

I was always under the impression that it was a year specific thing. The GM cars with the switch on the dash (up to 68) always came out. In 69 they went to the steering column (and still came out) and in 70+ they all stayed in.
I had a 69 Camaro back in 79, the key came out of it. My brother had on a few years later and when we replaced the switch in it we were told that you couldn't get the 69 style anymore, that all of the replacements were to be the 70+ type.

I just assumed that the trucks were the same....

[Stocker]

[QUOTE=Tx Firefighter]Exactly, Blue Beard is right. The key is softer than the lock tumblers for a reason. The key is meant to wear so the lock won't.

If someone had new keys cut and they still come out like the old key did, it's because the new key is an exact copy of the old worn out one..
QUOTE]


The first statement is exactly correct.

But I didn't have my new key cut from my old worn out one -
I had it cut from my spare, which admittedly wasn't unused, but nearly so. :p