# Car starts and runs as long as I hold the key then dies **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [August 17, 2023, 4:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-starts-and-runs-as-long-as-i-hold-the-key-then-dies/192341 "2023-08-17T16:59:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kylek\_186483](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/74df32/32.png) [@kylek\_186483](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kylek_186483)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 4:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-starts-and-runs-as-long-as-i-hold-the-key-then-dies/192341/1 "2023-08-17T16:59:46Z")
Hello, I have a 2010 Toyota Camry and when I turn the key to start it starts and will run as long as I hold the key in the start position. As soon as I let go of the key the car dies. Any suggestions on what I can do to fix it. Thinking I might need to replace the ignition switch but not sure. Any help is appreciated, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 6:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-starts-and-runs-as-long-as-i-hold-the-key-then-dies/192341/2 "2023-08-17T18:57:18Z")
I’d agree that’s it’s probably the ignition switch. ![1S7429](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/f/9/f9ef0d0175f80755fd364a8b38698d9e3cf5d95e.jpeg) Tester ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 10:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-starts-and-runs-as-long-as-i-hold-the-key-then-dies/192341/3 "2023-08-17T22:21:08Z")
Pretty good chance it’s the ignition switch. Alternate idea, some ignition systems use different circuitry for producing the higher- voltage cranking spark vs the reduce-voltage running spark. Engines usually start better using higher voltage sparks. So it may be the reduced-voltage spark generation circuity. Not a new invention. My 50 year Ford old truck uses slightly different circuitry for cranking vs running, and could exhibit this same symptom… ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 10:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-starts-and-runs-as-long-as-i-hold-the-key-then-dies/192341/4 "2023-08-17T22:25:50Z")
What George is talking about is either a ballast wire/resistor or ignition control module, which your car has neither. Tester ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 11:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-starts-and-runs-as-long-as-i-hold-the-key-then-dies/192341/5 "2023-08-17T23:10:51Z")
It is sounding more and more like the problem is a faulty ignition switch. OP might want to ask their shop if they have a simple, inexpensive test they could do to verify that’s the problem before actually replacing the switch. For example it might be possible for them to plug a new switch into the wiring harness and test it without removing the existing switch. Or there may be voltage tests. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2023, 1:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-starts-and-runs-as-long-as-i-hold-the-key-then-dies/192341/6 "2023-08-19T01:11:15Z")
Another one for ignition switch. ---
**Author:** ![Triedaq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Triedaq](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Triedaq)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2023, 2:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-starts-and-runs-as-long-as-i-hold-the-key-then-dies/192341/7 "2023-08-24T02:56:53Z")
I had to replace the ignition switch three times in the 8 years and 100,000 miles I owned a 1965 Rambler Classic 550. The first time it happened, I was driving along and the starter motor came on. I have never seen the advantage of combining the ignition switch with the starter switch. Chrysler corporation introduced “key turn” starting in its !949 models. I had no problem with my 1947 Pontiac and 1950 Chevrolet pickup truck that had a floor pedal to activate the starter. My 1948 Dodge had a push button on the dashboard to activate the starter. On my 1954 Buick the ignition switch had three positions: lock; on: off. To start the engine, you turned the ignition switch to “on” and stepped on the accelerator. When the engine started, the starter was deactivated. In my 65 years of driving, I have never seen the advantage of combining the starter switch with the ignition switch. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2023, 2:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-starts-and-runs-as-long-as-i-hold-the-key-then-dies/192341/8 "2023-08-24T14:17:36Z")
Seems like we have another 1 and done, OP has not been on in 7 days