Remove Ignition Key in RUN Position?

[Jim S.]

I seem to remember that in '57 Chevrolets you could pull the ignition key from the ignition switch/lock cylinder even with the engine running. Off hand, I am not sure as to why they allowed this. I had a new 1965 Chevrolet and I think that on that car you could not pull the key with the engine running.

I also know for sure that the lock cylinder that was built into the head of the Saginaw locking steering columns starting in 1969 only allowed the key to be removed in the OFF-LOCK position.

Does anybody know if and when the indash lock cylinders were revised so that you could not remove the key in the RUN position?

Jim

[Jack H.]

Re: Remove Ignition Key in RUN Position?

PV manuals make a check for '65 and later vehicles to verify the key may not be removed from the ignition unless the ignition switch is in the OFF position. Earlier cars allow the key to be removed when the lock is in either the LOCK or ON position.

[Jim S.]

Re: Remove Ignition Key in RUN Position?

Thank you for the quick response.
Jim

[Paul D.]

Re: Remove Ignition Key in RUN Position?

A throw back to a much simpler time in America (before my time, I might add). If I remember correctly, you only needed the key if you wished to LOCK the switch. I guess for when you parked in an unfamiliar area. I am amazed at how many people lived to become senior citizens considering the death traps that passed for transportation back then. Cars would start in gear, no alarms went off when you failed to fasten the seat belts if indeed you had any seat belts. Headlamps and wipers had to be tuned on manually when needed and the only thing telling you when to turn and watch your speed was the spouse beside you or the inlaw behind you. And could you imagine having nothing to listen to other than that which was chosen for you by some stranger located in a radio station who knows where and not being able to hear every thought that enters the head of every person that has your cell number on speed dial? I just wonder what would have happened had we not advanced... or did we really. Chip.

[Domenic T.]

Re: Remove Ignition Key in RUN Position?

It makes one think that they had to make cars that ANYONE can drive now.
I remember my highschool drivers training class and what we had to do before we turned the key.
I agree with the safety built in our new cars, it lets me think of other things when I turn the key like, where 's my cell phone, did I put my wallet in my pocket, and so on.

DOM

[Stuart F.]

Re: Remove Ignition Key in RUN Position?

The early cars, including my 63, had just the one key for ignition, doors and glove box. You see, you never knew when you might want to get your ipad out of the glove box to check your email while you were driving with one hand on the wheel and your sweety doing the shifting.

About the seat belts, I put my first set in my 56 Chevy post w/58 fuelie engine just to stay behind the steering wheel while I drifted the corners. I had one of those part plastic 57 interiors and my sweety wasn't heavy enough to keep me there.

Stu Fox

[Bill M.]

Re: Remove Ignition Key in RUN Position?

I seem to remember that in '57 Chevrolets you could pull the ignition key from the ignition switch/lock cylinder even with the engine running. Off hand, I am not sure as to why they allowed this.

Jim

There was only one key for the car. You didn't need the key for the off, run, or start position. I assume this was so you could have the glove box locked and leave the car with a valet; he could operate the car without a key but couldn't get in the glovebox.

[Paul J.]

Re: Remove Ignition Key in RUN Position?

I seem to remember that in '57 Chevrolets you could pull the ignition key from the ignition switch/lock cylinder even with the engine running. Off hand, I am not sure as to why they allowed this.

Jim

One possible reason is that you may have more than one key on the key ring, like the glovebox key. Another possible reason is that there is no practical reason. It might be a manufacturing consideration.

My grandmother had a 63? Corvair and she would take my cousin and me to the lake sometimes during the summer. When my cousin would get cranky on the drive she would pull the ignition key out of the ignition while we were driving and give the key ring full of keys to him to play with. It always calmed him down.

I never used the key on my 64 or put it in "Lock" unless I was going to be somewhere that was'nt familiar to me or the car was going to sit there a long time. Most people are'nt familiar with how those cylinders work and my area has very little crime.

[Joe R.]

Re: Remove Ignition Key in RUN Position?

There was only one key for the car. You didn't need the key for the off, run, or start position. I assume this was so you could have the glove box locked and leave the car with a valet; he could operate the car without a key but couldn't get in the glovebox.

Bill,

I was wondering how the valet would kill the engine after parking the car.

Joe

[Vinnie P.]

Re: Remove Ignition Key in RUN Position?

Bill,

I was wondering how the valet would kill the engine after parking the car.

Joe

You just turn the cylinder to the off position...no key...and can start the car again too

[Dennis C.]

Re: Remove Ignition Key in RUN Position?

I remember my dad taking the key out of the ignition of our Chevy station wagon, while we were driving up to the house when I was a kid. He would hand me the keys so I could run in to the house and get something for him.

Dennis

[Peter L.]

Re: Remove Ignition Key in RUN Position?

Those were the "good old days." Pete

[Joe R.]

Re: Remove Ignition Key in RUN Position?

You just turn the cylinder to the off position...no key...and can start the car again too

Vinnie,

Thanks for the info, very interesting. That was indeed a different time. Follow on question, if that's the case, why did they bother with the keyed ignition switch at all?

Joe

[Bryan S.]

Re: Remove Ignition Key in RUN Position?

On some post 1968 GM columns, depending upon how the key switch's tumblers are positioned, a key can be cut which will come out in the run position.

An old locksmith explained this to me one time. I think the tumblers had to be in a position where the first tumbler required a deep cut on the key and the last tumbler (nearest to the key ring on the key) required a shallow cut. (I'm not a locksmith so you'll have to excuse my terminology references). If the key was cut in this manner and then ground a little it could be made to slide out.

I wish I could remember the exact process for this, but I saw him do it on my 1991 Pontiac, really impressed me. I learned alot from this old locksmith, too bad there aren't many like him around any more (including him).

[Paul J.]

Re: Remove Ignition Key in RUN Position?

On some post 1968 GM columns, depending upon how the key switch's tumblers are positioned, a key can be cut which will come out in the run position.

An old locksmith explained this to me one time. I think the tumblers had to be in a position where the first tumbler required a deep cut on the key and the last tumbler (nearest to the key ring on the key) required a shallow cut. (I'm not a locksmith so you'll have to excuse my terminology references). If the key was cut in this matter and then ground a little it could be made to slide out.

I wish I could remember the exact process for this, but I saw him do it on my 1991 Pontiac, really impressed me. I learned alot from this old locksmith, too bad there aren't many like him around any more (including him).

Some 90's through early 00's vintage GM full sized trucks have keys that are cut so close that you can unlock and sometimes start a truck with a key from another truck. We've done this many times when some numb nut has locked his keys in his truck.