car accessories staying on with key in off position and out
Asked by rcovert331 Feb 02, 2016 at 06:46 PM about the 1999 Ford Crown Victoria 4 Dr LX Sedan
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
radio, power windows and wipers can all be used with the key in the off
position and the key out and my battery is draining every night. The key goes
in to tumbler just fine and all the positions work ( on, off, acc) Any ideas?
3 Answers
Have you tried a key that isn't as well used as the one you are using know? A newer key. It really sounds like you need a new ignition switch to me. If a newer key doesn't help, that's probably it. Worse scenario, a replacement steering column with a functioning switch in it.
Did you ever find the reason? I have a car doing the same thing. Replaced all the ignition parts and it STILL drains the battery. Went out to check it tonight and the fan was running!
Christopher answered 4 years ago
So I have a 1996 crown Vic with only 73k miles and I noticed that the ignition switch works just like every other car with an accessory and start and ofc the spring loaded starter switch part but when I shut the car down I noticed that I can turn the key the opposite direction(twisting key towards me) past the point where the key can be removed and makes the car go into accessory again and you can only turn the ignition to that position with the key in it. Is this like a feature from the 90s? Or is something broken. Also when I start the car or turn the key at all the wipers like come on and the wipers go back and forth twice before automatically tucking themselves under the hood. Not sure what that’s about either.
