Electrical Problems: Everything still has power without key in the ingnition

[MichaelV]

Hey guys,
So everything worked great till the key cylinder started getting loose and eventually got to the point where I could remove the key while the car was running. Therefore I went and bought a new key cylinder and put it in. This new one was firm and much nicer. However, now when I take the key out, everything electronic still works. The windows still work, sunroof, radio, clock, etc.
I am not sure what to do.
A guy at O'Riely said to research it and guessed it might have something to do with the electronic module/switch behind the key cylinder in the steering wheel but wasn't certain.
Anyone got any ideas?
Thanks for your time in advance!

 

[93markVIII]

first, put the old switch back in. if the problem goes away, you have a bad ignition cylinder. if not, you can look elsewhere.

 

[mrecoolgar]

The key cylinder is not aligned to the ignition switch.
They are not in sync.

 

[MichaelV]

The key cylinder is not aligned to the ignition switch.
They are not in sync.

So it is possible to put the key cylinder in wrong even though most everything works? In other words, it can slide in multiple ways and be wrongly inserted? As if its in 180 degrees the wrong way? Just trying to understand what you are saying.

I will try re installing it. And I don't believe I still have the old one, I will check.

 

[MichaelV]

Okay so today I have tried to make progress in fixing the problem of all the accessories (clock, radio, windows, etc) staying on even when the key is removed from the ignition cylinder.

Today I went out and bought another (second) new ignition key lock cylinder. I installed it without letting any pieces fall out or taking it apart and inspecting it like I did to the last one. However, everything stays on still. The only thing that this most recent key cylinder replacement did was stop the door chime beeping when the key is out and the door is open. But everything else still stays on.

Could it be something is wrong or broke inside on the female end of the ignition? The thing that holds the key cylinder?

I am seriously puzzled and trying to rule out what it could be.
Possibly the power distribution block? I have no idea.
I did check every fuse under the hood and under the dash, they are all good.

Here are a few pictures to help explain what I've been doing.


https://picasaweb.google.com/102855470285069348075/92211?authuser=0&feat=directlink

 

[mrecoolgar]

What year are you working on?
I just replaced the ignition switch and key cylinder on a 1989.

 

[MichaelV]

What year are you working on.
I just replaced the ignition switch and key cylinder on a 1989.

It is a 95 ATX.

 

[mrecoolgar]

Now I can see our pics, thanks for fixing.
Remove the key cylinder.
Rotate the key until the 'lock in place' pin is in the cylinder body.
Then rotate the in column female side to match the key cylinder male side.
Then install the key cylinder and verify operation.
That's the best I can offer.
I still say it's off one notch.
Instead of being in the off position, the key comes out in the run position.
If that doesn't fix it, you'll have to look at the ignition switch located lower in the column.

 

[MichaelV]

Thanks, I did it again just to make sure.
Still the same problem. The car just always thinks it's in accessory mode.
I believe I am going to replace the ignition switch in the lower steering wheel column soon and hope that fixes it.

I read about a small plastic rod that controls the switch or something similar to that. He said the rod could still be pushed to turn the vehicle on but wouldn't fall back to flip the switch the other way to turn everything off. I'm not sure if it was for a Taurus even but the guy talked about how its a pain in the ass to fix and easier to replace the whole steering wheel column. I really hope it's not that. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[MichaelV]

I've done a lot of research in the past couple days and have tried to make everything electrical turn off when the key is in the off position and out.

I just replaced the Ignition Switch.
I have previously replaced the lock cylinder twice.
I thought that it could have been cause to the plastic rod actuator between the lock cylinder and the ignition switch, however this works just fine. I could even start the car with just the ignition switch but can not get the radio, clock, windows, etc, to turn off when the switch is in the off position.

Now I am completely puzzled because I thought it would be that plastic rod.

What on earth could be making everything keep draining power with the keys out? Short in wiring? Where?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mrecoolgar]

Sounds like a bad ignition switch then.
Are you sure the ignition switch is installed correctly.
Don't know what else to offer.

 

[MichaelV]

Yeah that's what I was thinking.
Yes, I installed it correctly and the new one acts the same as the one I had already in there. Just operating the switch I can turn my car on and off and no matter what position it is in, the electronics won't turn off.
This sucks.

 

[mrecoolgar]

Try removing the switch from the column and operating it.

 

[MichaelV]

That is what I said I did in my last post, sorry if I didn't clarify that.
I operated just the switch, without the key doing the operating, and the switch won't turn everything off no matter what position the switch is in.

 

[SHOZ123]

Not a very good working switch then is it?

 

[MichaelV]

Yeah I guess not. Both ignition switches I have will not turn off the accessories in the car when in the off position.
This morning I was messing with it some more.
I turned the radio up and had the switch in the off position. I went to the fuse panel in the engine compartment. One by one I took a fuse out, inspected it and put it back in. When I got to a 60 amp fuse that was between a 40 and 30 amp fuse, I heard the radio go off. I looked inside and the clock on the dash and stereo were off. In addition, I couldn't make the windows go down, which they shouldn't with the ignition switch in the off position. Then when I turned the switch to run or acc, everything came on like it should. I looked on the back of the fuse panel, turns out that fuse is titled 'headlights.'
However, with the switch in the off position, I can still operate the seats.
What's going on?

 

[93markVIII]

seats move all the time don't they?