key doesn't turn car off

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Moparbrad

Moparbrad

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Phoenix,AZ
I feel I've had this problem before but for the life of me, I cant remember what I did to fix it. The car is a 71 Duster, 318, points ignition. The engine will turn on with the key but not off. I have found there to be a draw at the battery, the alternator being the culprit. I disconnect the alternator, no draw. When the car is running, it will turn off if I unplug one of the field wires from the alternator or disconnect the battery. Enough info? Whats up?
 
The wiring is original to the car but the car was originally a slant 6. Everything was working fine a few days ago, now this. Also, I have tried multiple alternators with the same outcome.
 
I really do not understand how this could happen unless

1--there are crossed wires in the harness, that is, the harness has been damaged mechanically as pinched, or heated and insulation melted, and wires welded together

2--Someone has "hacked" some wiring mod

3--The ignition switch is bad

So first thing is to get the car running and shut the key off. Duplicate the trouble. If the engine keeps running, access the ignition switch connector where it exits the steering column, and pull it apart. If the engine dies, it's undoubtedly a bad switch.

If not, this could get "interesting."

ARE YOU SURE there is no wiring hacks or added equipment, anything hooked to the coil or ballast resistor? That should not be?
 
Check for a burnt connector along the steering column from the ignition switch.
MY 70 Duster did just the opposite , Key switch wouldn't start but the switch shut it off.That's where I found the problem. Just a thought.
 
Well, I found someone cut the factory connector off the ignition switch wiring and used butt connectors to splice in a new one at sometime?? Who knows. Looks like those wires were hot at one time anyway. Guess I'll start there and see what I find out.
 
Do you have an electric fan on the car?
 
my 74 Duster did the same thing when I was a teenager. it was a burnt ignition switch.
to shut it off I had to get out and pull the coil...
 
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