I used to have that "feature" on my Notchback. Sure was convenient. It was
caused by the lock cylinder wearing out. About 1 year after this "feature'
appeared, one or more of the pins in the lock cylinder fell out of place,
jamming the ignition switch. I had to brute-force it with a screwdriver to
drive home.

When I replaced the lock cylinder with a new one, the feature was gone for
good. Maybe you shouold look for a new ignition switch before it fails
completely!

TomC
tcarrington@relitech.com
http://volksweb.relitech.com
85 Vanagon Crew Cab
82 Westy diesel=>gas conversion
65 Notchback

> Yesterday I noticed that I can remove the key from the ignition of my 1988
> Double Cab while it is running.  The steering wheel doesn't lock and
> nothing negative happens it when I do this.  If the van is off I must use
> a
> key to turn it on -a screwdriver will not turn the ignition.  My 1984
> Westie does not have this "feature".  Does anyone else have this "option"?
> The only reason why I can see this should happen is so that I can open the
> doors under the bed with the engine running - which would be helpful if
> you
> are running a delivery service or something.
>
> Thanks!
>
> --   David Marshall -                    - Quesnel, BC, Canada   --
> --    78 VW Rabbit, 80 VW Caddy, 84 VW Westie, 85 VW Cabriolet   --
> --       87 Audi 5000 Quattro, 88 2.0L VW Syncro Double Cab      --
> -- David's Volkswagen Home Page        http://www.volkswagen.org --
> -- Fast Forward Autobahn Sport Tuning  http://www.fastforward.ca --
> -- david@volkswagen.org (pmail) or vanagon@volkswagen.org (list) --