how do I figure out whats broken?

[spook3]

Hey there peeps! OK, I was starting my car earlia, and heard a click in the ignition part and my key stuck on, it didnt automatically go back into place and made the horrible noise cars make when they're already started and u try to start them again! I can manually turn my key back and its fine. I can start, drive etc no dramas, but it hard to take my key out sometimes, and I have to turn it back manually so it dosent make that noise as i described above!

So my question is, what could it be? Is it an easy fix? How do I work out what it could be without taking the entire thing apart?


Thanks in adavance for any help/advice I may get
And yes, Im a girl lol!

[MikeCuzzy]

It could be your ignition barrel is forked, it's just cheapy plastic, mines seen better days. If it bothers you, I reckon your best bet would be to buy a new one. Otherwise, so long as you remember to pull the key back, it's not a real problem.

Mike.

[SuperXU6]

Definitely sounds like the barrel I'd recommend getting it replaced as I had a similar problem in my VS years ago but unlike you I had no warning it was on it's way out I went into the super market 1 day came back out went to start the car heard a click ignition came on and stayed on but wouldn't start and wouldn't turn off either so just as a precaution I'd change it they're not that expensive and u don't want to get stuck over an hour away from home like I was

[MikeCuzzy]

Definitely sounds like the barrel I'd recommend getting it replaced as I had a similar problem in my VS years ago but unlike you I had no warning it was on it's way out I went into the super market 1 day came back out went to start the car heard a click ignition came on and stayed on but wouldn't start and wouldn't turn off either so just as a precaution I'd change it they're not that expensive and u don't want to get stuck over an hour away from home like I was

That's a good point, cause they have many little bits and depending what breaks you can get stuck. My mate's sister has a Camry, the ignition lock broke. You could turn the car on, then remove the key and keep it running. Was actually surprisingly handy

[wamboin23]

if it doesn't return from start, it will be the ignition switch on the back of the barrel - it provides the spring back to the run position.

so replace the switch and the barrel (you will need a locksmith to code the barrel to your key, or you can do it yourself with some patience).

[accentstencil]

I also think the ignition switch has a broken return spring, happened to me once and I only needed to replace to switch, not the barrel as well.

[jas98]

had similar thing happen to me the other week, went to start the car after getting fish and chips and key turned to on position but then snap and yeh snap nothing, turned it back and forth and nothing, was the ignition barrel were it enters the ignition switch it had snapped (the metal part) so i had to hot wire me car (tack switch of and start it with a screw driver lol) was funnie as i was getting looks from people probly thinking i was steeling it haha

[LittleMissVE]

Had a similar issue when I had my VT.. Was the ignition barrel. Get it sorted ASAP, before (like someone else said) you get stuck somewhere & it ends up costing more in the long run.

[spook3]

thanks heaps for all ur replies! We are going to just leave it for a cupla weeks, then get it fixed! Now my next question is.......the exhaust manifold.......I had a mechanic look at my car as it had a real bad ticking coming from front end, and he had a look over her, and told me the bolts were loose! He said he cannot understand how they came loose as he has never seen it before.....(mechanic is not one I normally use, but is a good honest bloke so I do believe him) so now, how do I bring this up with my regualr mechanic? I have spent a shitload of cash on her in the last 6 months so Im fairly annoyed that this wasnt picked up by my regular mechanics (whove looked after my car for 5 years) Also my radiator and water thingy are full of oily water, and slimey stuff.......despite a tune in september, and a service in July......do I bring this up with my regulars and how can this just all of a sudden become slimy?

Thanks in advance filks