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Is it bad to leave the key on?

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Old Sep 10, 2001 | 11:51 AM
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From: Austin
Default Is it bad to leave the key on?

Is it bad to leave the key on?
I am not talking about the auxiliary position, but the next one up. I was taught to never leave the key on in that position because it hurts the points, but our car doesn't have any points. So is it still bad to leave the key in that position (with the car off)?

I find it nice to leave it in that position because the doors do not beep if opened.

opinions please...
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Old Sep 10, 2001 | 01:16 PM
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My Dad always told me not to do that, because it would possibly fuse the points; however, as you say, our cars have no points. I, too, would like to know the harm of this practice, if any. Gearheads, help.
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Old Sep 10, 2001 | 01:53 PM
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whats "points" are you talking about?
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Old Sep 10, 2001 | 02:05 PM
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Originally posted by Eze8199
whats "points" are you talking about?
Ask anyone with an MG to show you. They have replaced many over the year's; most of us know the feeler guage setting by heart!
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Old Sep 10, 2001 | 02:10 PM
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Originally posted by Eze8199
whats "points" are you talking about?
Oh man am I feeling old (insert old giezer smilie).
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Old Sep 10, 2001 | 02:22 PM
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All cars used to have to be tuned usually about once a year. The tuneup included points, plugs, rotor, condenser and sometimes even the distributor cap. The points were activated by a rotating cam-like device that allowed them to open and close. When they made contact (closing), they allowed the whole spark/ignition/combustion thing to happen.

The car had one coil per car, not one per cylinder. Things were different back then, but they are much better today (thank heavens!). I am not a mechanic, and I don't play one on TV. My dad was one once upon a time and I used to hand him tools when he tuned up the cars of his neighbors as a favor.
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Old Sep 10, 2001 | 02:42 PM
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I assume yall are talking about the points in a mechanical distributor... Since the power is on to the engine, but the crankshaft isn't turning the rotor, the rotor can sit on the points and fuse together in theory.

I don't know of anything "bad" about doing it in a modern car, but I try to avoid doing it since it draws a lot more power from the battery (AC running, dash, windows, lights, etc.) than just having it in Aux.

TXR
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Old Sep 10, 2001 | 07:43 PM
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Originally posted by Eze8199
whats "points" are you talking about?
I love it

Hey ma, time to come and change my diaper
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Old Sep 10, 2001 | 07:50 PM
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We don't have a cap and a rotor, do we. I believe it's electronic distribution.
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Old Sep 10, 2001 | 08:03 PM
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by dlq04
[B]

Ask anyone with an MG to show you.
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