fraay

My grandfather used to mod my cars so that they needed the key to start, but once it was started, you could pull the key out and it would keep running (so you could have your keys with you while you were inside the house and it was warming up)

He isn't around any more..and I don't want to carry both sets of car keys around with me (don't want to lose both).. is this hard to do on the p5?

pollax

Were you by any chance driving a K car? I've seen so many of those cars whose key can be pulled out after it's running.

fraay

No.. none of my cars originally had that "feature".. my grandfather always "added" it for me

stealthscotty

Your'e pretty much out of luck. The old keys were all single cut (teeth on one side) but now just about everything is double cut so it's not you'd just ruin an expensive lock by trying. How about a remote car starter? $150 is pretty easy to justify when it's really cold!

fraay

Aww poo

I'm getting a compustar security system/remote starter...however I've been working 80 hours a week.. and things are too crazy for me to be able to find time to take my car in..

I thought maybe this could be a temporary quick fix..

SEA_P5

Your compustar has that feature. They have the feature where you can leave your car running in the parking lot to go into the grocery store while having your alarm armed.

Find a friend who can help you drop off your car to the installer...it takes them 5 hours to install all of the features...and by the time you are done with work, your friend can drive you over to pick it up.

You have to make some sacrifices...if you want it, find the time to do it....

Hope you get it installed soon.

Later

Dermen

My parents 95 Ford Windstar has double cut keys and you can do exactly what he discribes. We didn't have anybody make it that way it just happened. But it is a nice thing to have.

UCSBgeek

my friend used to have a corolla that the keys fell out of the ignition if you went around the corner too fast

JAC

My parent's old malibu also did that, but I don't think it was a mod, it just did it.

kosmicride

If I am not mistaken inside the tumbler that holds the key there is a pin that slides in when you turn the key. This allows the key to stay in the ignition. If you really wanted to do it you could, IMHO a double cut key has nothing to do with the key staying in the ignition.
Same thing happens in some house door locks key stays in when you don't turn it back to take the key out. Single cut key

enormiss

While I don't know if this works for all makes, or newer generations..... On older GM's you could file/grind the flat surface down just above the tumbler cuts to have the key release. You would thin the thickness of the key at the neck, not grind it like adding another tumbler notch. I have no idea why this works or if it will work on protege's so your on your own.....

fraay

Well... for me it doesnt matter anymore.. This morning I called the place that my alarm/starter is getting done at.. and they fit me in today.. (its my day off today).. I'm really happy.. because if it didn't happen today (which I seriously did not think it would).. It would have had to wait quite a while!

So right now my baby is under the knife..and by this evening.. I can take the keys out of the car while its running..tada!