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Yesterday when I remove the key from the ignition after a 15 minute drive, I could have branded a cow with it. It was too hot to touch. Now today I may the same drive and the key was some what warm but about normal I would say. What would cause this heat? Is there something to address. That much heat can not be good. I see a lot of complaints about it but no answers. Anyone know?

This is a 2001 Civic LX
Thanks

 
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Perhaps an intermittent short. Heat in electrical is caused by high current -- voltage freed from resistance -- in thin wires or windings.

 
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Sitting in the direct sun ?? Shining onto column covers ??

Will make for a hot key.

 
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I was thinking that too... but since the key only seems to do this in the ignition, where it can't get direct sunlight... not likely. I live in HI and get lots of sunlight onto my dash on longer than 15-min drives... never had a burn going into my pocket. Unless of course... the OP had the keys baking in the sun (or even not-really-funnier, lying with the metal part on a still-hot rangetop ) and didn't notice until he pulled the keys out after that drive.

Let's hope this is just something simple, and not something shorting in the column.

 
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It is normal.
The interlock solenoid (under the ignition cylinder and key) generates heat while it is energized.

 
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Wow -- so making the key hot enough to burn to the touch is normal for this car? Amazing... but not surprising, sadly. :P

 
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If you can, take a look at

Honda Service News Article
July 2003
Ignition key gets warm while driving

(Paraphrased)
The key interlock solenoid is energized whenever the shift lever is not in PARK, so heat from the solenoid gets transferred to the key. This is a normal characteristic and cannot be fixed by replacing parts.

HTH

 
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Wow... so I guess the OP's temp difference between two same drives...they weren't really the same, then. Another reason not to have an automatic 7th-gen... :/