Mike, it could any number of things... but I suspect that the problem is in your steering column, at your ignition tumbler. It sounds like the contact that sends the signal (ground I think) is stuck or shorted. It has been a while since I had to repair my column and I don't remember the specifics. Try squirting some WD40 into the tumbler and see if this may free it up.
See the previous posts for the past week with the subject of Ignition Switch. Be careful as the same thing happened to at least two of us causing a lot of smoke!!!!!!
JJ
The key chime continues to go off even after I remove the key. The headlights are off. The key is out. The chime stops as soon as the door is closed.
I have the same problem.. it's very annoying. I have noticed with the key out I can push the switch in with my finger and the chime will go out.. But when I let my finger off it starts up again..
I dont really want to go on a spending spree...Please help us from going dinging crazy!
Disassembling the Ignition switch revealed that the same piece of spring metal that you refer to had one side of it broken off and probably had made contact with +12v somewhere inside the switch as it was also blackened. I replaced the switch and removed the charred black ground wire. Yes I have no "key in" warning chime anymore, but that's O.K. by me. I like your idea to remove the "innards" of the switch so that that part doesn't break off again and possibly cause more damage next time. But oh well, I not going to remove the switch again and besides since it's a new switch maybe it won't break for another 150k miles. Thanks for the info and since I now firmly believe that that is what caused the problem, I can sleep better with the car in the garage with the battery connected!
Jerry
This caused the ignition switch (not the lock mechanism, but the switch behind it) to get gummed up.
I fixed it by removing the switch and replacing it. I disassembled, thoroughly cleaned, and LIGHTLY oiled the lock mechanism. No problems after that.
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