EKSedAndy

97 Civic LX auto, today I shut the car off but the key would only turn back to "Accessory" and wouldn't release. I pulled the battery cable and the key turned freely. Put the battery cable back on and the key turns all the way to "Start" but car won't turn over, then the key won't turn back past "Accessory" again until I disconnect the battery cable.

All the accessories still get power, just the car won't turn over. With the ignition switch removed the key turns freely back and forth in the cylinder. I am 99% sure that it's the ignition switch screwing up, but I also don't hear all the "clicks" that I'm supposed to from the main relay. However, I do think I hear the fuel pump kicking on. So can anyone confirm that the ignition switch is my problem? Thanks for any input.

biggjerryc

sounds like your shift interlock might be messed up. anyone know if the interlock is electronic on this model car?

EKSedAndy

I should also note that a similar problem happened a few weeks ago, but corrected itself. The car would not turn over, and I just got a buzzing noise from the under-dash fuse box area (but I don't recall the key ever being locked in the ignition). I jumped out, disconnected and reconnected the battery, and away it started.

Also could it just be a fuse? I was reading some old threads and people said they had no-start and no dash lights. It was light out and I didn't notice if the lights were working or not (car is stuck about a 20 minute drive from my apartment).

Last question, when it says to check continuity, what is that implying? I hooked up the multimeter between the pins the Haynes told me to, and got no reading, is that what I should be checking for continuity of the igntion switch?

EKSedAndy

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by biggjerryc &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">sounds like your shift interlock might be messed up. anyone know if the interlock is electronic on this model car?</TD></TR></TABLE>

How would I go about testing this theory? Is there any way to disconnect the shift lock, or should I just pull the console apart and see if the button is stuck on or something?

Former User

First, I think you should thoroughly clean the battery terminals and connectors, and also possibly recharge the battery.

Second, it really sounds like the ignition switch is messed up, so I recommend that you replace it.

EKSedAndy

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RonJ@HT &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">First, I think you should thoroughly clean the battery terminals and connectors, and also possibly recharge the battery.

Second, it really sounds like the ignition switch is messed up, so I recommend that you replace it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

The battery is showing plenty of power, and I had just pulled into the parking spot, turned the car off, and the key wouldn't come out. I've done some searching in the last few minutes and I'm thinking now that it's the shifter interlock. I'm going to play around with that and check all the fuses before I start spending money on the ignition switch. Anyone know what one of those goes for?

Former User

I think you are right. I didn't think about the interlock system as I have a 5-speed.

Here are some useful diagrams:

biggjerryc

Yeah idk to muhh about interlock since i rock a 5 speed as well. If you have the money have a dealer check it out. If not ... just keep bumping this thread and someone should be able to help soon enough.

Targa250R

Definitely sounds like some sort of shift interlock or shifter problem. This doesn't sound like a typical ignition switch problem, and it's definitely not a main relay problem.

This is assuming that the starter does not crank at all (i.e. you turn the key to position III and get nothing), which you weren't particularly clear about.

The car does indicate that the transmission is fully in Park, right? Is the shifter difficult to move at all?

EKSedAndy

Fixed it, it was the shifter, just had to jam it back and forth a few times hard and it went into the correct position. Thanks for all the help. (Should have thought of this right away, it's done the same thing before, just always in really cold weather though)

Targa250R

If you're having trouble getting the shifter to shift properly, you may need a new shift cable. They aren't particularly problematic on '96-00 Civics, but I have seen several go bad.

If you're only having trouble getting it in and out of Park, check the brake pedal switch.

Former User

Yeah, the service manual describes how to adjust the cable, if necessary.