Ignition switch bug - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**MidLifer** · 02-27-2020, 04:09 PM

I'm hoping that LockDoc or one of the other lock experts can help me with this one.

My battery was dying on a regular basis but I couldn't find a parasitic drain for the life of me. Then I realized that on one out of three times or so that I would shut the truck off and pull the key, the ignition switch would be in ACC instead of off. The key cylinder would only be cocked a few degrees to the left, not all the way into the ACC position. But it was the source of the current drain.

My question - is the fault with the switch or the lock cylinder?

**LockDoc** · 02-27-2020, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MidLifer

I'm hoping that LockDoc or one of the other lock experts can help me with this one.

My battery was dying on a regular basis but I couldn't find a parasitic drain for the life of me. Then I realized that on one out of three times or so that I would shut the truck off and pull the key, the ignition switch would be in ACC instead of off. The key cylinder would only be cocked a few degrees to the left, not all the way into the ACC position. But it was the source of the current drain.

My question - is the fault with the switch or the lock cylinder?

It is really hard to tell which it is without changing the lock cylinder, to see if that cures it. Is your key in bad shape? (worn)

LockDoc

**Steeveedee** · 02-27-2020, 05:38 PM

I'd try the lock cylinder first, since the key generally shouldn't pull out except in the "Off" position.

Andy4639 · 02-27-2020, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MidLifer

I'm hoping that LockDoc or one of the other lock experts can help me with this one.

My battery was dying on a regular basis but I couldn't find a parasitic drain for the life of me. Then I realized that on one out of three times or so that I would shut the truck off and pull the key, the ignition switch would be in ACC instead of off. The key cylinder would only be cocked a few degrees to the left, not all the way into the ACC position. But it was the source of the current drain.

My question - is the fault with the switch or the lock cylinder?

My Ramp truck 56 and 64 Impala both will let me pull the key out in ACC. I have got in the habit off turning it all the way left then back 1 notch.

**MidLifer** · 02-27-2020, 06:49 PM

Thanks all - Leon, the key is rather new. I sent my locks to a list member a few years back to have them all rekeyed with one key.

I guess it's the cylinder then. I'll buy a new one and find a local locksmith to rekey it.

**LockDoc** · 02-27-2020, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MidLifer

Thanks all - Leon, the key is rather new. I sent my locks to a list member a few years back to have them all rekeyed with one key.

I guess it's the cylinder then. I'll buy a new one and find a local locksmith to rekey it.

Be careful what you get. If you buy one made overseas he may not be able to re-key it. The tumblers are not interchangeable with GM stuff on some of them.

Also if the new lock cylinder does not have the same keyway as your other locks he won't be able to do it. What year is your truck and Is there a letter stamped into your key? If your truck is a '71 it should be the letter "A".

LockDoc

rpmerf · 02-28-2020, 07:31 AM

My truck does this. Learned real quick not to just turn and pull. Instead move it by the feel of the notch until it is straight up and down. I don't even think about it anymore.

**derotoreut** · 02-28-2020, 09:01 AM

I used to have a '67 GTO that would allow me to remove the key while the engine was still running. It never caused any battery drain in any way. I always thought that was kind of cool to be able to do that.

**MidLifer** · 02-28-2020, 05:30 PM

Yep my key is an A. I was going to order the AC Delco part. It’s available on Rock and Amazon for about $10. I had looked it up for my year on Rock, would that part number have the A keyway?

Quote:

Originally Posted by LockDoc

Be careful what you get. If you buy one made overseas he may not be able to re-key it. The tumblers are not interchangeable with GM stuff on some of them.

Also if the new lock cylinder does not have the same keyway as your other locks he won't be able to do it. What year is your truck and Is there a letter stamped into your key? If your truck is a '71 it should be the letter "A".

LockDoc

**LockDoc** · 02-28-2020, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MidLifer

Yep my key is an A. I was going to order the AC Delco part. It’s available on Rock and Amazon for about $10. I had looked it up for my year on Rock, would that part number have the A keyway?

No way to tell. I looked at a couple of them to see if I could see a letter designation on the key in the pictures and one of them on Rock had a "C" on it and one on Amazon had an "E" on it. It would be a crap shoot.

LockDoc

**MidLifer** · 02-29-2020, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LockDoc

No way to tell. I looked at a couple of them to see if I could see a letter designation on the key in the pictures and one of them on Rock had a "C" on it and one on Amazon had an "E" on it. It would be a crap shoot.

LockDoc

Maybe I’ll visit the local stealership and see if they can help. Would be worth a few bucks more to get the right thing.

**LockDoc** · 02-29-2020, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MidLifer

Maybe I’ll visit the local stealership and see if they can help. Would be worth a few bucks more to get the right thing.

If you don't find anything let me know and I'll see what I can come up with. If nothing else maybe I can rebuild yours.

LockDoc

02-27-2020, 04:09 PM	#1
MidLifer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South NJ Posts: 1,268	Ignition switch bug I'm hoping that LockDoc or one of the other lock experts can help me with this one. My battery was dying on a regular basis but I couldn't find a parasitic drain for the life of me. Then I realized that on one out of three times or so that I would shut the truck off and pull the key, the ignition switch would be in ACC instead of off. The key cylinder would only be cocked a few degrees to the left, not all the way into the ACC position. But it was the source of the current drain. My question - is the fault with the switch or the lock cylinder?

02-27-2020, 05:38 PM	#3
Steeveedee Who Changed This? Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 10,676	Re: Ignition switch bug I'd try the lock cylinder first, since the key generally shouldn't pull out except in the "Off" position. __________________ ~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA

02-27-2020, 06:49 PM	#5
MidLifer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South NJ Posts: 1,268	Re: Ignition switch bug Thanks all - Leon, the key is rather new. I sent my locks to a list member a few years back to have them all rekeyed with one key. I guess it's the cylinder then. I'll buy a new one and find a local locksmith to rekey it.

02-28-2020, 07:31 AM	#7
rpmerf Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Parkville, MD Posts: 1,024	Re: Ignition switch bug My truck does this. Learned real quick not to just turn and pull. Instead move it by the feel of the notch until it is straight up and down. I don't even think about it anymore. __________________ 1970 C20 Custom Camper - 350, TH350 1997 GMC Suburban 1994 Acura Integra GSR 1987 Dodge Daytona Shelby Z

02-28-2020, 09:01 AM	#8
derotoreut Roto Reuter thats the name... Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Darien, NY Posts: 1,853	Re: Ignition switch bug I used to have a '67 GTO that would allow me to remove the key while the engine was still running. It never caused any battery drain in any way. I always thought that was kind of cool to be able to do that. __________________ ~ Dan My 70 K10 SWB build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=782232 My 71 SWB build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=651394 1970 SWB Fleet K10 4X4, 5.3L LM7, 4L60E, Dakota Digital RTX, Vintage Air, Ididit tilt 1971 SWB Fleet C10 - Original SWB Arizona truck, new custom restoration project "Kick out your motor and drive while you're still alive - kick it out!" - Heart 1977



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