I have a 90 integra and it is a pain in the ass to start. if you click the key to the second notch on the ignition your gauges will light up right? well mine don’t, my car will start but the only way to keep the car on is to hold the key all the way over, and I think that hurts my car so I found a way to keep it on. between the first and second notch I can kinda glitch the key so the gauges will light up and the car will stay on. I’m thinking it’s something in the ignition some where but I have no idea. I just thought I’d ask can anyone help me out PLEASE??. Thanks
It sounds like your ignition switch is toast. I am actually 99% sure that is what it is.
I see that your in Washington, anywhere near Seattle?? I can get you hooked up for cheap on parts and labor. Let me know if I can help you out.
Originally posted by LODOSS starter is gone bro.
Nope, if the starter was gone he wouldnt be able to start it, ever.
I know it is the ignition switch because the only way to keep his car running is to either hold the key to the crank position or mess with it until he finds the sweet spot… It is a pretty common problem, especially on cars as old as ours.
the car won’t stay started because the starter is broke. the ignition switch is also broke too now because he drove the car with the key turn. (that messes it up). my friend had the same problem and got it fix from another friend of mine who is a mech at honda so i think he knows.
If the starter were broken, the car wouldn’t start at all.
The starter has nothing to do with the car staying running because once the car starts, the starter disengages.
Also, he said if you turn the key to the 2nd notch, normally the lights on your gauge cluster (seat belt, park brake light etc) would lightup even with the car off, but it doesn’t do that on his car, so it’s gotta be the switch.
Yeah quit using that screwdriver for a key!
It does sound like the ignition switch to me too. If you’re keeping it turned all the way, then you’re going to fry your starter too.
Since you have no lights on your dash and you have to jiggle it, the switches contacts have probably worn out. If the starter were dead it wouldn’t even turn over.
And also there is a such thing as a sweet spot because the contacts are worn if not broken inside the switch and if you wiggle and turn it enough it will eventually grab a piece of broken contact or shavings and complete the conection.
Just replace your ignition switch and you will be good to go.
I am not going to argue with anyone that says otherwise because I have been through this problem numerous times and all the symptoms are the same and so is the fix. It is a $50 part from the dealer.
The only way that you are going to damage your starter by holding the key in the crank position is if your starter engages. When the switch goes, you can usually hold it just past the run position and it will work fine, but then you have to hold it there which can make driving really difficult.
If you need any help just shoot me and email and we will get it worked out for you. I am also in Washington, just not in the B.F.E. part, hehehe. If you compensate for my time I can even fix it for you (and get you a deal on the part from the dealer)…
Hey guys, thanks a bunch for your help, I haven’t really held the key in the start position, as soon as the engine turns over and starts, I look for the “sweet spot” I’m just hella good at getting it in the sweet spot ya know, j/k anywayz, I’m going to go to honda and get the ignition switch probably on monday and try and get it hooked up sometime soon. B R, I’m down in shelton (where??) if you don’t know, it’s a bit north of shelton, other side of the sound compared to seattle, It’s a little over an hour drive for me to seattle, depends on how many races I do on the way. Later guys and thanks for the help
I know where Shelton is. That is right down by Olympia if I remember correctly… I am only about 45 minutes from Olympia. You should come up for the next meet whenever one gets scheduled.
Good luck with the fix, it should be running fine again once that new switch is installed.
