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Car starts without key, key will not start car

Tiny
HLOUIS29
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 CHEVROLET CAMARO
  • 3.4L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 195,000 MILES
Newly acquired car. Put new battery in and the engine started while I was tightening the positive cable, without keys in the ignition. Got in car while running and stepped on brakes, engine shut off. Put key in to try to start, only turns on the instrument cluster, lights, and radio. Key will not turn car on. Please help. Let me know if more information is needed.
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Sunday, September 10th, 2017 AT 6:06 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,690 POSTS
It sounds like you have a positive battery cable that is bad causing a shorted connection which will cause the engine to stall. Move the cable around to see if you can get the car to act up.

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Monday, September 11th, 2017 AT 12:44 PM
Tiny
HLOUIS29
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Problem still exists, even with adjusting the positive terminal. Just installed a new ignition lock cylinder and can now turn the car on, but it doesn't shut off when I take the key out.
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Tuesday, September 12th, 2017 AT 6:52 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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  • 47,690 POSTS
Must be something with the switch control rod has fallen out of it position not returning the switch. Can you please recheck the switch rod to see if it is still in the switch?

Please let us know what you find.

Cheers, Ken
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Wednesday, September 13th, 2017 AT 10:40 AM
Tiny
HLOUIS29
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
How do I get access to the rod?
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Friday, September 15th, 2017 AT 3:14 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,690 POSTS
You must lower the steering column for its mounts 2 bolts 15mm I believe after you remove the lower bezel. Remove the switch on top of the column and see if the rod moves with the key.

Please let us know what happens and upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Cheers, Ken
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Friday, September 15th, 2017 AT 3:52 PM
Tiny
HLOUIS29
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Yes, the rod is moving back and forth
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Friday, September 15th, 2017 AT 4:31 PM
Tiny
HLOUIS29
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Installed a new ignition controller switch in the hopes that maybe it was faulty. Still no difference. I can still start the car by just hooking up the battery with no keys in the ignition. Also, when I do start the car this way, I won't turn off unless I depress the brakes. Key will not shut the engine off
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Saturday, September 16th, 2017 AT 8:23 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,690 POSTS
Can you take a video of the problem and upload it to the site please? Its hard to understand unless we can see it.
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Saturday, September 16th, 2017 AT 2:17 PM

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