93 Explorer Thinks Lights are on or Keys are in Ignition

[AustinM]

About two thirds of the time when I shut off the car and open the door, it'll ding like it's warning me that the lights are on or I left the keys in the ignition (neither of which are ever true). Sometimes giving the ignition slot a smack, or moving it a little will resolve the issue and make it stop dinging at me, but other times it won't. It's getting real annoying and I'd like to be able to fix it before it leads to more problems. Any advice?

 

[Turdle]

I think you can use the key to turn the ignition lock cylinder a bit, then, looking up underneath the steering column you'll see a hole with a detent ball to remove teh lock. From there you should see the contacts that close when the key is placed in the lock. It may not be springing back or gummed up with who knows what.


This video shows how to get the lock out. Also shows a black wire with connector which could be what is sticking in yours.



Thread moved the the stock 1991-1994 sub forum.