Wont shut off

I've had this problem for a week now,

it started when i noticed that the main light failed to turn on the front headlights... the only lights that seem to work are the bright lights and only if i depress the bright lights lever... if i try to turn on the bright lights so that they are on always it wont work...

now all of a sudden i cant turn off my car... if i turn the ignition key to the off position and remove the key, the car will keep on running and all the electrical components (radio, lights, etc) will stay on....

i already replaced the ignition key switch with the same results... car not turning off...

i was wondering if the main light switch and the ignition switch have anything in common??

I've had this problem for a week now,

it started when i noticed that the main light failed to turn on the front headlights... the only lights that seem to work are the bright lights and only if i depress the bright lights lever... if i try to turn on the bright lights so that they are on always it wont work...

now all of a sudden i cant turn off my car... if i turn the ignition key to the off position and remove the key, the car will keep on running and all the electrical components (radio, lights, etc) will stay on....

i already replaced the ignition key switch with the same results... car not turning off...

i was wondering if the main light switch and the ignition switch have anything in common??

What year is your Taurus?

I've noticed a similar thread recently on Contour.org. You may want to follow this thread:
http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=trouble&Number=1115796&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=7&fpart=2#Post1119670

-Rod

how did you shut it off?

moose: i have an anti theft system that shuts the car off after a couple of seconds if the door is opened while the car is turned on...

shorod: thanks ill check it out




by the way its a 95 taurus

ok just checked those posts... seems to be the same problem...

all i can say is why me!! :( :banghead:

So mayeb the antitheft system is keeping the car running?

sounds like the weirdest problem I've ever heard of!

When you remove the key, does the steering wheel lock? Does the key seem easier to rotate in the lock? Can you "feel" each indiviual position (Acc,Lock,Off,Run)?

When you replaced the ignition lock did you replace the ignition switch (electrical part)?

yeah maybe the ignition switch is sliding around in its casing

I had the same problem with my '95 Mustang 5.0. Love that car... 135,000 miles and still running, more than I can say for my '99 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The problem was that . . . the ignition key lock connects to the ignition switch with a 2 part linkage assembly that is pined togeather and the pin fell out. Because of the tilt wheel, the 2 linkage arms have to be able to rotate. To gain access to the pin, I removed the steering wheel, the air-bag and pushed the pin back in.

i just replaced the ignition lock cylinder... cost me about 30 dollars and came with 2 keys...

g1smith: what pin would that be??

i replaced the cylinder and you can feel when its on the assy/off/on - run positions but still doesnt want to turn off car... i was thinking about replacing the ignition switch...

On the no shut down problem-down inside the column is a pin which if in position will allow the ignition switch rod to push and pull the ignition switch. The ignition switch is not the key cylinder!!! The switch is about 10 to 12 inches down on the column connected to the key cylinder by the rod i mentioned earlier. When you turn the key you are pushing or pulling on the rod, depending on which way you are turning the key. When the pin is not in position the key cylinder can push (turn on/ start) but it can't "pull" the switch back to the off position.
The fix is either to remove the steering column then take it apart, find the pin and put it back where it goes (you will see how it works once its apart.) OR find a steering column which will fit and just swap it in. I remember some of the screws require torx tools, but mostly metric wrenches and sockets are needed. The electrical connecters snap apart with some effort and you really can't mix them up when you put it back together. Get a manual to tell you how to disable the airbag because it varies from model to model and MAKE SURE YOU DISABLE THE AIRBAG so it doesn't blow while you are working on it- they can KILL!!!!! This no shut down is not an uncommon problem with taurus/sable believe it or not. Good luck, Alex

thanks for the reply alex! i did try the other day to dismantle the steering column covers and was able to see some kind of metal rectangular shaped rod go back and forth as i turned the key to its on and off position... would this be what youre talking about? i tried to remove the steering wheel so i could get a better view but the darn thing wont come off (following the guides instructions), might be stuck... will try again in my next free day (tuesday)...

thanks again! cheers

just to clear things up a bit:

I already solved the head lights issue, problem was a faulty main lights switch which was replaced...

So to answer my initial question, I guess its totally unrelated and definetly not related to my car not turning off... jejeje

just to clear things up a bit:

I already solved the head lights issue, problem was a faulty main lights switch which was replaced...

So to answer my initial question, I guess its totally unrelated and definetly not related to my car not turning off... jejeje

Did you get your no-shut-down prob resolved? I have access to a steering column from a 97 with auto trans and cruise control which may fit your Taurus. If you are interested PM me and we'll get together on price. You need to be sure a 97 will fit your 95, tho. Maybe call a dealer or junkyard. Let me know, Alex

have you fixed the issue yet? do you have remote start? on my remote start you could put into a mode where the car will run and you can pull the key out (turning it from run to off) and assuming you have remote start it could for some reason be defaulting to that mode hope that helps

no remote start :(

for now ive sort of learned to deal with it until I find out why it wont turn off.