Ignition key getting hot...

[Shickalee]

On Thursday, the engine started running rough on my 1999 Land Cruiser 100 series. The engine light was also flashing. I drove the 100 over to AutoZone for a CEL scan. The CEL scan identified that the bank 1 spark plug was bad. I purchased a new Denso Iridium plug and Denso ignition coil and my mechanic installed on Friday. Now my wife is telling me that the ignition key is super hot and she smells a slight burning smell. Any idea what the issue might be?

Thanks,
Skip

 

[Spike555]

Make sure your insurance is paid up.
You have a electcfial short, most likely in the ignition swtich.
The smell is the insulation on the wiring melting.
Do not drive it unless you want a fire.

 

[Shickalee]

Make sure your insurance is paid up.
You have a electcfial short, most likely in the ignition swtich.
The smell is the insulation on the wiring melting.
Do not drive it unless you want a fire.

I do not need any claims with 3 student drivers. Is the fix likely a new ignition switch?

 

[cruzerDave]

I do not need any claims with 3 student drivers. Is the fix likely a new ignition switch?

Agree with @Spike555 don't be driving it, never in my life heard of a key getting hot... but it's really odd to have 2 different electrical problems at once instead of one common one. <scratches head />

If you have a moment take apart the steering column plastic - it's pretty easy and there are good how-to posts on here, search for 'busted ignition' . You might be able to see the problem if it got hot enough to be melting insulation, perhaps one of the connectors to the switch assembly that lost its insulation and you can heat-shrink new stuff on? I'm honestly struggling to see how this could happen though, and hope you'll update us when you find out.

 

[flintknapper]

I do not need any claims with 3 student drivers. Is the fix likely a new ignition switch?

I don't think the ignition switch is near the actual key and key cylinder (the key is in). So it seems unlikely that heat would be transferred/conducted through all of that. You might check the lighted bezel/key ring that surrounds the key cylinder.

A quick trip to your local dealer might turn up any 'known' problems with your issue. IF it is the ignition switch (high resistance across the contacts) that is causing the burning smell, you'll want to have that replaced. At the same time they might be able to suggest what is causing the key to heat up.

 

[Shickalee]

Thanks all for the feedback.

I just started the 100 this morning and let it run for 30 minutes, the key and bezel did not get hot. Maybe the ignition switch was sticking on my wife? Subsequently on the trip home the smell dissipated and the key was not hot when she arrived home.

 

[flintknapper]

Thanks all for the feedback.

I just started the 100 this morning and let it run for 30 minutes, the key and bezel did not get hot. Maybe the ignition switch was sticking on my wife? Subsequently on the trip home the smell dissipated and the key was not hot when she arrived home.

I always check for myself the reports my wife has about any perceived issues with our LX. Often times there is no concern.

But....it is quite possible what your wife says happened... did happen ...and the problem is intermittent. So it bears watching.

 

[Julian Stead]

Got to agree that I can't imagine that much heat transfer would get to the key in the barrel unless it is already on fire, haha. Are you sure it wasn't the key itself? Do a thorough check though.

 

[Shickalee]

I will definitely keep monitoring and report back if there is an actual issue and what it was.

 

[half k cruiser]

Bringing this one back. Got out of the rig at the home improvement store today and noticed the metal portion of my key was pretty warm. Maybe because it was a cold day out I could just feel it easier. I put my finger on the ignition and it was quite warm, not quite scalding but definitely noticeable. I'm going to put the multimeter on it later today and see if current is running across there. Then I will pull some trim and see what can be seen.

 

[Kernal]

Posting over here as the exact same scenario happened to me tonight albeit in my 1997 FZJ80. Drove 15 miles (headlamps on with intermittent use of the windshield wiper) to Homedepot for plumbing bits and when I pulled the ignition key out it was hot, same for the face of the ignition cylinder. No burning or melting plastic odor, no smoke, everything else electrical working as it should.

After some sleuthing did not find anything suspect with the electrical system so after some thought this simple answer is the most likely cause; in the 80 Series the steering column shaft that goes through the firewall has a seal (boot) that is known to deteriorate rather quickly (they last a few years at best), so time to check that seal again.

The 100 Series has a similar seal/boot for the shaft as it travels through the firewall from the cabin into the engine bay. So, if that boot deteriorates that allows heat from the engine bay to flow into the cabin, directly onto the steering column (and your feet) where the steering bracket and ignition cylinder are located.

So without smoke, sparks, melting plastic, or other electrical weirdness this might be the explanation (or one thing to rule out) for a hot ignition key/cylinder face.

 

[Kernal]

FWIW, if you have hot feet while driving (or a hot ignition key) consider this:

100 Series (1998-2007) the complete steering column (hole/seal) assembly appears to be: 45025-60100 (Cover Sub-Assembly, Steering Column Hole). (there may be different part numbers depending on Model, 105 series, etc)

Or just the seal 45026-60010 (Cover Sub-Assembly, Steering Coupling Boot Seal) (highlighted below)

See inset, left side of photo:

 

[2001LC]

I find most of our firewalls #1 intermediate shaft seal, have a hole. I've yet to feel a hot IG key.

If IG key, getting hot. I'd look at:

• Is carpet blocking air flow from HVAC vent, directing hot air up to IG SW ASSY. I've found vent blocked, by carpet, more often than I should. But IG key hasn't been issue. But it could be, if cabin heat on and hot air being direct at IG SW.
• Short in wires to or at security/light ring at IG SW. "I've yet to see one.

 

[Kernal]

When this happened to my 80 Series I also intially considered if it could be due to an electric issue ie: something like a worn (high resistance) ignition switch at the end of the steering bracket where the ignition cylinder and ignition rod are located. However IMO for that switch to get hot enough to travel all the way up the steering bracket into the ignition cylinder and key it would have had to get smoking hot, but there was no smoke, no burning/hot plastic/wire insulation odor, no hot/popped fuses/fusible links, no issues with the light ring, nothing.

I considered the fact that this is the first warm weather since the AC died (seized compressor) in my FZJ80 so that could contribute to the heat accumulation under the dash/steering column, then add a torn steering shaft boot/seal that pours heat directly at the steering shaft and you end up with more heat in that area.

That's all I could come up with (for an 80 Series), but then the 80 and 100 Series are not all that much different in regards to the steering shaft seal/boot and the HVAC vents.

FWIW