i just bought an 87 n/a. the igntion switch had been reemed out so he could start the car with a screw driver the only problem was that you couldn't turn the engine off with this method, you had to stall it. even then the car acts like it's still running and drains the battery. the previous owner said all i need is to replace the ignition switch so i did and that didn't help. i started the car with the key, but then when i switched the key to the off position, the engine kept running so i pull the key completely out with no effect.

so i stalled the motor again and still hear the humming noise for the motor. i tried finding where the humming is comming from, it just sounds like the injectors and or plugs area. anybody have any idea what's up?

 

sounds like your broken ignition switch is not turning off.

Replace the switch

 

i already have.

 

if you replaced it, then you wouldn't need a screw driver to start it... so now you start it with a key???

If so, then I would be looking to see if he upgraded the alt next, and the ignition switch wiring after that

 

wow, is my original post really that vague? try rereading.

i'll look into the igntion wiring tommorrow.
by alt do you mean alternator?

 

As you're fifth post, let me warn you, you might not want to **** off the eletrical guru who rebuilds the damn peices on our cars for a living...

 

Yep, its the run on paragraph that makes it hard to read and generally ignored.

And yes the alt is the alternator. Is it the stock OEM alt??? Or has it been upgraded???

See it sounds like either the switch is mis-installed, mis-wired, or perhaps the alt has been mis-wired and is always on.

From your description, the ignition is always on.

 

i'm not trying to **** anyone off, i'm looking for help.

i saw his post count and pretty much figured he was the man. so, icemark, thanks for the help.

on that note i will try to restructure my sentences and paragraphs for easier reading.

but my original post was clear and to the point. i have read it a couple of times and the only improvement i could have made was a comma after the green "ignition switch", and spaced it out more.

 

The humming is PROBABLY coming from the BAC valve. It has a freq of about 120hz when the key is to ON.

That pretty much confirms the ignition isn't going to the off position or its miswired pretty bad. I'd suggest pulling one of the battery terminals at the end of the day so you don't keep running the battery down.

The BAC is on the left side of the engine. It's cylindrical in shape with one plug on the bottom/front end (memory here, 1987 non turbo). Pull it off and the clicking/humm will stop but most likely the injectors have power going to the along with the ECU and the battery won' t last long like that.