I was in the process of changing out my sterring wheel and I did not have a puller around so I tapped the nut to shock it loose. I installed the new wheel and now my engine or accessories will not shut off. I could have kicked myself in the A-- for not using the puller.

Its like it is stuck in the accessory position.

What do you think is wrong? Did I break something in the switch? Where should I start troubleshooting?

Thanks because this is all new to me with the electrical end.

I could be way off here. But I would look at the switch. Im wondering if it was possibly knocked out of adjustment. If my memory is right the switch has oval holes for adjusting it up and down . Maybe this is the case.
Mike

I could be way off here. But I would look at the switch. Im wondering if it was possibly knocked out of adjustment. If my memory is right the switch has oval holes for adjusting it up and down . Maybe this is the case. Mike
I agree. The IGN switch is located on top of the column underneath the dash. There is a rod attached to it that goes to the key cylinder. Its either out of adjustment or you knocked the rod loose. BTY never hammer on a steering column, they are made to be collapsible for accident reasons.

Thanks for the advice. I am going to go out to the garage and take it apart. I will let ya know what I find.

Well replaced the Ignition switch and still have the same problem. Where do you think I should go from here?

Everthing still stays running with the switch off and the keys out.

Did you adjust the switch? Will everything turn off if you start turning the key towards the ACC position. (turn slowly) If everything will turn off, the switch is out of adjustment. Hopefully you didn't hammer on it to hard where adjustment isn't possible.

What happens when the switch is unplugged from the harness?

I will unplug the switch and see what happens. I did not see no adjustment in the switch. I turned the key back into the accessorie position and put the rod in and then put the screws in and that was it.

The mounting screw holes in the switch should be elongated allowing the switch to be moved up & down.

Well I unplugged the switch and the car still stays running. What do you think I should look at next?

Maybe it is something elese and not have nothing to do with me changing the sterring wheel?
You think???

what kind of ignition system?
stock or aftermarket?

david

Well I unplugged the switch and the car still stays running. What do you think I should look at next?

what kind of ignition system?
stock or aftermarket?Need that answer.


Could be backfeeding from the charging system. Pull the smalll 2 wire plug from the alternator, will it stop then?

Sorry for the delay I have been busy putting windows in my house all day. The system is all stock except for a HEI distributor that I put in a while ago.

I disconnected the battery and the car keeps running.

I disconnected the two wires that plug in together with the battery hooked up and the car keeps running.

I disconnected the battery and then the two wire lead on the alternator the car shuts off.

This may sound stupid but I know that it happens: Has the car ever worked right since you installed the HEI, or have you by any chance done anything to the wiring? Reason I'm asking is that some people have mistakenly hooked up the HEI to the BAT terminal or another unswitched source, instead of using the IGN terminal. The engine will start, but won't shut down as the 12V to the HEI is not switched off when you turn the key. Don't know if the alternator will still feed the terminal when you disconnect the battery though.

I disconnected the battery and the car keeps running. You really should never do that, it can blow the diodes in the alternator

I disconnected the two wires that plug in together with the battery hooked up and the car keeps running.
This just means its not backfeeding from the alternator.
I disconnected the battery and then the two wire lead on the alternator the car shuts off. [/QUOTE]
This just cut all power, and it should shut off. Do as olle, follow the wire the plugs into the Hei BAT terminal, post back where it goes.

The Hei is hooked up to the ING terminal at the fuse box. The car has run fine with the HEI installed before this problem.

I guess I will just start looking at all the wiring, one wire at a time to troubleshoot the system.

I don't know if this can actually happen, but would it be possible that there's something wrong with the wiring in the column, like a wire or two with damaged insulation? If you unhook both ends and check them with a meter, it should be easy to determine if you got the wires crossed or grounded somewhere.

Well found out what happened. The positive cable from the battery that hooks to the starter selonoid shorted to the small ignition wire coming off of the selonoid.

Everything is fine now and I finally put my sterring wheel on. Oh yeah I have a new ignition switch out of this ordeal too plus a great learning expiereance to boot.

Thanks for all the advice and you guys are great.

Well found out what happened. The positive cable from the battery that hooks to the starter selonoid shorted to the small ignition wire coming off of the selonoid.

That will do it. Glad you figured it out.