Is it ok if I leave my key in the ignition?

[particlewave]

Originally Posted by Deserion

I leave the key in mine (pull it out after driving and reinsert) and I’ve yet to have an issue even after sitting for week without a tender.. But your mileage may vary.

Once you remove the key, the car shuts down and you’re fine until you reinsert it and turn it to on.
Of course, if the OP did that, it would still be hard to turn and defeat the purpose of leaving it in.

You all are missing the key point/issue: he needs to replace his ignition switch.
Then there would be no need to leave the key in.

[Brian in Tucson]

I'm terribly cheap and lazy. When I got my cheap Boxster (no such thing?!) the lock wouldn't reset and turn off the electronics, ie the dash. When it did reset, I could hear that it was a switch in the ignition switch. So I figured it might have gone bad, so why not try to clean the dirt out? I used brake cleaner with tube and then spray gun oil--Tri Flow and worked the switch turning it on and off. Took more than one cycle, but eventually the function returned so that it works everytime.

You might try cleaning and lubing the mechanism. It may be gummed up and cleaning it will loosen it and lubing will help.

BTW, if I leave the key in and have the battery connected, it discharges to flat, no voltage. Already replaced the battery once, now I just charge it and disconnect the ground cable.

[Brian in Tucson]

Originally Posted by particlewave

Once you remove the key, the car shuts down and you’re fine until you reinsert it and turn it to on.
Of course, if the OP did that, it would still be hard to turn and defeat the purpose of leaving it in.

You all are missing the key point/issue: he needs to replace his ignition switch.
Then there would be no need to leave the key in.

Respectfully disagree, there are inexpensive solutions to try.

[particlewave]

Originally Posted by Brian in Tucson

there are inexpensive solutions to try.

Yes, it’s called a $20 ignition switch and it is the only solution to the actual problem.