I'm having a problem with my daughter's 86 240.

when you stick the key into the ignition more times than not you end up with the key ignition switch and another attached mechanism out of the dash and in your hand. The lady that owned the car before my daughter said when this happened to her she would start the car with a screwdriver? She said that she took it to her mechanic and he told her it couldn't be fixed (?????). I would think that there should be some sort of retaining mechanism that would keep this from happening. Anyone have any ideas what is going on here and where I should go for the part that may be missing? Once again, thank you for your help!