Anyone had this issue? - Ignition Key Barrel comes out when pulling key?

[TekHousE]

OK, so I have had so many Mopars it's not even funny..My current Coronet makes it number 46 since I was 16!

But I have never had this problem before..And I have owned some really crappy ones over the years.

Yesterday when about to go out for a drive. I had the car running, and my wife wanted to put a cooler in the trunk of the car. So I turn the key, engine shuts down, pull the key out and the whole barrel comes with it!

WTF!

Now I am panicking thinking that's the end of cruising for the day. I slide the barrel back in, seems to be some type of notch so I followed that. All looks good. Turn the key, the engine fires right up! But I pull on the key WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, and it comes out...car keeps running!

mmm'kay..

SO yesterday when I shut down I put a finger on the barrel when I wanted to pull the key out. Car starts normally, stops normally. SO other than the barrel being borked, things are good.

Has this happened to anyone else..and..

What the heck do I need to do to fix it..And not change keys.

Thanks..

 

[YY1]

Re-keying the door locks is super easy.
Probably the easiest solution is finding a good ign cyl with key, and then making the doors match.
IIRC the assy is pinched closed at the rear and a royal PITA to take apart "correctly".

 

[TekHousE]

OK I am looking at this on ebay:



Seems to be the way to go.

I still see that the ignition barrel will need to be 'slid' into the dash bezel/housing anyway. So what keeps it in there?

 

[Gpuller]

What was in the cooler? ha ha ha

 

[68GTX440]

If you look at the cylinder (barrel) and you should see a brass pin towards the end where you put the key in on the outer edge. Typically you should be able to turn the key in to the accessory position and push it in to remove the cylinder. Check that pin and see if it protrudes the cylinder. Then check the switch where it fits and locks in. This is usually the bad part. The hole it fits into can wear out and or break. So you might be able to just replace the switch only and not have to replace everything.

 

[TekHousE]

What was in the cooler? ha ha ha

A very tasty cold smoked Salmon, and....beer!

If you look at the cylinder (barrel) and you should see a brass pin towards the end where you put the key in on the outer edge. Typically you should be able to turn the key in to the accessory position and push it in to remove the cylinder. Check that pin and see if it protrudes the cylinder. Then check the switch where it fits and locks in. This is usually the bad part. The hole it fits into can wear out and or break. So you might be able to just replace the switch only and not have to replace everything.

Thanks for this info. Much appreciated.

It is possible I pushed on the key before/whilst turning it off. So I probably 'unlocked' it just as you described.

I am ordering new ignition and matching door locks, and a new trunk lock though. The price was right and I get to have pentastar keys again! Something I missed having since I had to cut new keys for my car here in Finland. My original pentastar key is really work and I only had one of them..

 

[YY1]

Learned something today...and I also love those pentastar shaped keys.

 

[Kernel Sanders]

I had the same problem for a long time that I just fixed this past month... May or may not be the same issue though

Could be the key cylinder. if you pull it out look for the lock pin on the top of the cylinder near the inside end. it is a 3/16" or so spring loaded flat top pin. if it is missing or stuck down inside the cylinder then that is your issue BUT mine was there, not broken or stuch it was up and free so... I took the steering wheel off and started disassembling the column and found that the flange that the spring loaded pin that locks the cylinder into the column cuff could not clip into place because the flange that it locks into was broken right off.

Unfortunately I dont have pics of the broken flange but I'll take some pictures and post them tonight of a spare I have at home to point out the area I'm talking about

 

[TekHousE]

You took the steering wheel OFF!

I hope to whatever Deity you pray to, that this was on a late model car? Mine is a '67...and I hope that I don't need to even go NEAR my steering column..they ignition is on my dash mate... ;)

 

[Kernel Sanders]

Ahh Ok well I didnt see the year you were having an issue with... Sounded like 71+

 

[TekHousE]

Yep I guessed that!