So I was getting a flat fixed at Pep Boys the other day, and when they called me to tell me that it was ready to pick up they told me that there was a small problem. I was like oh great what did they mess up? I asked the guy what was wrong and he said that several technicians had tried to get the key out but couldn't. I just laughed and was like there's a little white button under the steering column just push it and turn the key back. He kinda laughed and said ok. Anyone else have this problem??
It is a totally STUPID design....
I've tied mine to the bracket inside the column with a couple of zip ties.. Now it stays depressed.
Well if it prevents what I could do with my '89 Taurus, then I dont mind it at all. At any speed, any time, I could pull the key out. If I didn't turn the key to the exact off position, I could start the car with out the key just by turning the tumbler.
It doesn't... Just keeps you from removing the key till you depress the button and turn the tumbler to the lock position. Being able to remove the key with ingition on is because of a badly worn lock assly. Some key cuts are pr0ne to this problem, especially if they are like a set of stairs(low in front, high at the rear[head] of the key). My Lightning key will pull out in any position, but otherwise it works fine.
Hah, that button is a pain. It really threw me for a loop when I first got my car. I spent a good five minutes or so trying to figure how to get the key out. But now I'm used to it and I reach for the button even if I'm not in the cougar.
I find I talk to myself saying "where's the button? Oh wait, this isn't the cougar you moron."
What white button? Is that a US-only thing, cause I don't have one.
my TC is also this way with the new locks that I got from bob5326 wonder if he had that problem oh well kinda handy sometimes.
It's only on the floor shift cars , don't know if ya got a floor shift or not.:D
Why in the world would they put in on floor shift cars but not column shift? That makes no sense at all to me. Of course, I don't really see much of a need for it anyway.
they put it on to keep you from being able to lock the steering column while the car is moving. a column shift car has a different way to keep that from happening as for the floor shift/manual cars there is nothing in the column to keep it from being able to lock except for the little white button.
I agree dumbass design. It is somehow supposed to "remind" you to put it in park before removing the key. It was a cheap way out rather than designing linkage for the floor shift cars. They had to have something mainly to satisfy government rules about key/park interlock. I got rid of mine by doing basically what is stated here: http://www.mustangcentral.net/tech/column.html
Just break off the button remove the spring and pull the "J" rod out.
No need to remove column BTW
Its second nature now, i dont even think about it when i get out of my TC
My red bird, since i converted it to floor shift, i had to lock the linkage in nuetral or park (cant remember)so i could get my key out
:laughing: me too I try to push it in the other cars I drive and feel stupid when I dont find it
Yay! I'm not the only one looking for the button on other cars!:cheers:
Like 88turbo said if for some reason you switch the ignition off while moving you won't go to column lock. Panic mode engine stuck at WOT or on fire perhaps.
My manual shift '78 Pinto had one.
yea it sucks and im always trying to find it in my taurus and always bump the hazards. im just happy you need to pull on it becuase i know i would leave my car with the 4 ways on, get half way around it before i noticed it if i did at all
Oh yeah how bout this. Our 84 f250 with an auto on the column, has one of these buttons? Doesnt make sense. All of our cars have the hole in the column cover for the button if you havn't looked.
88turbo was right. Think of this, your cruising down the road and floor it to pass someone. The throttle sticks and your first instinct is to turn the car off. Well now here comes a big ass corner and you can't steer the car. Your f'd. I'de keep mine in place if I had one.
That button has fooled a lot of people in my car. They always feel dumb for not being able to get the key out. My '90 XR7 wouldn't start unless you had your foot on the brake. Another weird idea from Ford.
My '75 Pinto wouldn't start unless the seat belt was buckled.
This feature was easily disabled by unplugging a connector under the seat.