In my 1965 Cutlass I am able to remove the ignition key while it is in the ACC and RUN positions (yes, motor running). Is this right or is the lock cylinder just worn out?

 

Lots, if not all, of the old cars did that.

 

My 71 does the same thing. If I remember correctly, I read that was the way they were made. There is at least one thread on here that talks about it. I have found it handy, a little scary but handy. Like when I need to add trans fluid and it is in the trunk.

 

It's made to do that from the factory.

 

The 71's were not designed to that. Must have been worn out tumbler. My 65 allows the key to be removed running also. The 64's and earlier allowed you to start the car without the key if it wasn't turned to lock position. Kind of a nice feature if you lost your keys.

 

The 70's weren't either. I have 2 ignition keys for mine and the really worn one will pull (even fall) out, yet will still unlock the column from a locked condition. The like new key will not pull out, and I've tried pretty hard lol!

 

My 72 does it , but I figured the tumbler is just worn out as my 72 I had in the early 80s was not like that.

 

Some of the earlier ones did that so one could leave it running and lock the doors. I don't know when it stopped.

 

Didn't some mid-fifties have a separate lock position on the keyswitch?

 

Worn key, not supposed to from the factory. The only time that any of mine did it was when the keys were worn.

 

Yep, that is correct.


I had a 66 Corvair with a worn key cylinder and I could start it with a small flat blade screwdriver. I could also start my brother-in-law's 68 GTO with my 70 Cutlass key. Just had to wiggle it a bit and it would turn. This is NOT the way GM designed these, it is just a byproduct of worn key cylinders after many years of use.

 

This is not the way a 71 was designed. Also the ignition key is different than the trunk key so no need to remove the ignition key in order to open the trunk.

 

Ok, so the consensus is the key and cylinder is worn - this was not a feature even in 1965? Or?

Anyway, I'm buying new keys and cylinders all around (IGN/doors/trunk) since they are definitely all very worn. I once accidentally started and drove the car using the trunk key, didn't even notice it until after a couple of hours

 

Wait, i have owned my '65 since '75 and the key could be removed while running.

 

So ten years of wear on the key and lock were not the cause?

Look, federal law required the lock cylinder to be designed so that the key could not be pulled out when the car was running, ESPECIALLY on the 1969-up cars with the locking steering column. Yes, a worn key and tumblers can allow this to happen. I'll point out that when I cut a brand new key for my 67, the key cannot be pulled out unless the lock is in the OFF position.