Removing thekey while running?

[Eric J.]

What was the last year you could remove the key from the ign. while running? Eric

[William V.]

Re: Removing thekey while running? 1964 *NM*

[Roy B.]

Re: Removing thekey while running? 67? *NM*

[William V.]

Re: Removing thekey while running? 67?

When running, in the off or lock position, I was able to remove the key on my 64. there are 5 key positions. ACC, Lock, off, on (run), start (crank). My 65 and 66 I could not remove the key except in the lock/off position.

[Michael M.]

Re: Removing thekey while running? 67?

I can remove the key from my '68 while it is running.

[Terry M.]

Re: Removing thekey while running? 67?

I don't think that is typical. See what other 1968 owners post here, but I would be surprised if the 1968 ignition lock was designed to allow the engine to continue running with the key removed.

[Chuck R.]

Re: Removing thekey while running? 67?

Terry, my 68 ignition switch will not allow the key to be removed unless in the off position.

Chuck

[Donald M.]

Re: Removing thekey while running? 67?

Being able to remove the ign key while the engine is running is usually due to an excessively worn key or tumblers that are worn enough to allow the key to "slip out". I have had cars with the original ign key and about a zillion miles on them that, if you jiggled and wiggled the key just right, out it would slide.
Don

[Chuck R.]

Re: I call those keys screw drivers Don *NM*

[Terry M.]

Re: Removing thekey while running? 67?

I have had some of those kind of cars as well over the years. Fortunately, by the time that happens most respectable car thieves wouldn't touch the car anyway. How I miss those days when I could park my beater unlocked anywhere and know it would be there on my return.
On some cars filing the outermost notch on the key (the one at the pointed end) carefully will allow the key to come out with the engine running. This was a common modification for police cars.

[William V.]

Re: Removing thekey while running? 67?

I had a 49 Pontiac (had the same key as C1 & C2's) where the key could be removed when rnning and would start with a screwdriver. However, I do not think this was design intent.

[Harry Sadlock]

Re: Removing thekey while running? 67?

https://www.ncrs.org/forum/archive18.cgi?review=140522

[Chuck G.]

Re: Removing thekey while running? 67?

If you think about the design of the bezel around the key, 64 was the last year that had the "finger" grips. 65 and up had flat key faces/bezels.

Up through 64, you could remove the key in the "ON" position, and then shut the car off. You could re-start the car without the key.

If you shut the car off without the key in the ignition, the lock would stay in the "OFF" position, but would not go to "LOCK" without the key. Chuck

[Eric J.]

Should have checked...

Harry thank you for the link. I should have checked all the archives. Eric

[Michael M.]

Re: Removing thekey while running? 67?

I always wondered about that. I have owned the car for almost 25 years and I guess it was worn out from then. I attributed it to the fact that the ignition was dash mounted. Oh well.