Alright, so, my girlfriends car (1997 integra gs) was having some issues starting. Figured out the problem was an ignition switch, just to test it I pulled the electrical portion out of my car (1993 civic ex) and boom it fired right up. We went out and bought the electrical portion and it was missing the small plug on the key side of the ignition, I de-pinned the old plug and added it to the new switch. As I'm plugging the 2 brown plugs into the spots they came out of under the dash board her radio turns on and the key will not turn, I then tried my switch again and the same thing happened... Did this in both cars. All fuses/grounds/ ect are fine. Has anyone heard of this? Help!

 

Bent pin

 

A bent pin in the ignition switch itself? Or under the dash? ..forgot to mention that with everything wired back up the key refuses to turn, and no the steering wheel isn't locked.

 

Are you sure you put the cap on the end of the ignition in the correct way? I can't see how both of them would do the same thing if everything else is fine and not blown. Unless the new harness you got is pinned for a 98-01, but that wouldn't have anything to do with your harness having the same effect.