Hey group, Today I decided to fix my 1981 Plymouth Caravelle's turn signal switch (a task I had been putting off for some time). The repair went smoothly, but after finishing I realized that my car now starts without a key in the ignition. I can simply turn the ignition and it will fire up. This has left me pretty confused as I never really went that far into the steering column- never even touched the ignition. To complicate matter I am now doubting if I EVER needed a key. I never really tried to start the car without one. haha Does anyone know what I could have done to cause this? How do I fix it? Any input is appreciated
I've had to take apart a couple steering columns now, and it sounds like the part of the ignition that locks without the key was not replaced, or was able to spring free when you had the turn signal apart. I don't know fur sure how your column is set up, but if it is like mine, once you took the turn signal out, the ignition should have been just under that. If you had your locking spring come loose, then that would make it so you don't need the key. I know it sucks because you just got everything back together, but I would take it all apart again, take out the ignition switch, and make sure the clip is in the right spot. Good luck!
The ignition key tumbler sound like it has lost all it's pins and just freewheels. The tumbler end intersects with a generic switch which actually starts the car. I'd bet it was like this before tearing into it too. Might try spraying some silicone inside the tumbler, it could just be stuck pins and springs.
