I just picked up a 90 teg as a project car and I'm having problems keeping it started. When I crank it, it fires up perfectly until I let the key go to accessories. It shuts itself off after that and I can hear the starter still spinning. I gave it another go, this time holding the key turned all the way. Guess what? it stays running. Again I let the key go to accessories and it dies again.

I haven't had time to tinker with it yet but the girl I bought it from told me before the car died, it started smoking from the steering column. Anyone have any ideas what it may be?

 

Had this exact problem on my old Integra:

Take off the steering column covers and locate the ignition tumbler.

On the left end is going to be a white cap with wires coming out.

Undo the screws, take the cap off, and your left with some contact points.

Whats happening is you had a high point, which kept getting hot, but sorry to say, you left it to long and it has destroyed the contact. You can try sanding down the points and see what happens.

But your best bet is to wire in a push start. It is very simple, and will bypass the actual 'starting the engine' part of the ignition. ie. you turn the key to ACC then push start.

 

good stuff. I'll give it a shot, thanks alot.