Ignition Switch Trouble, wont turn off

[Jon]

I have an intermittent problem with the ignition switch not turning to the off position. I've got OFF/ACC/ON/START on the switch. The furthest it will turn counter clockwise is to ACC. All the light on the dash go out and the key can be removed but I can't lock it and it slowly drains the battery.

So is this for sure the ignition switch itself or perhaps a shifter sensor that wont allow it to go to OFF since it thinks it's still in gear? Really hope it's not the switch, just don't want two keys!

 

[YotaZach85]

Sounds like it's the shifter sensor, pretty common fail item on the board. I've never really paid much attention to the threads but I think theres an easy trouble shoot for the sensor.

 

[Jon]

Is it the "Position Switch Park/Neutral"

Where's it actually located? Shifter or trans?

View attachment Starting cicuit.pdf

 

[t4r4life]

zach is right and im 99% sure its the parking sensor

 

[Singtoe]

Push forward on your shifter and try to remove the key. It should work.

 

[Jon]

So it's right there in the center console? If it's bad can I just take it out of the loop and just splice the circuit closed?

 

[t4r4life]

So it's right there in the center console? If it's bad can I just take it out of the loop and just splice the circuit closed?

you can but wouldnt that mess with the transmission electrical? your parking light would be on even tho its not

 

[Jon]

Took center console apart and found a switch on the passenger side of the shifter. When pulled to the up position the key turned to the off position and when down it will not. Looks like there's supposed to be a pin attached to the shifter that lifts this in park. I'll fix it tomorrow, thanks for yalls help

 

[t4r4life]

glad you found the problem and its easy to fix

 

[Jon]

The problem ended up being the shifter (thumb button). Inside the shifter arm there is an orange spring loaded piece that links the button to the little locking rod. It must have been taken apart a long time ago and tuned 180deg, which worked for a while but finally wore down and wasn't letting the rod get pushed down far enough to grab the park sensor hook.

Simple fix after a lot of troubleshooting, I just turned the orange thing around and it works. Also greased everything and added a couple washers at the pivot bolt to tighten everything up, works better than ever.