Mike457

So I've been having this issue for a while. Sometimes after I start my car (1994 Integra LS hatchback), the stereo and cigarette lighter socket do not receive power right away, but will then turn on after a delay of anywhere from a few seconds to several hours. In rare cases, it doesn't even turn on at all for my entire trip. The issue predates my stereo upgrade, in which I basically switched from one aftermarket stereo to a much better one. I found another thread (link here) from a Del Sol owner describing a very similar issue. Assuming that all connections are proper and that the fuse that controls power to stereo/cig lighter is functional, what else could cause this issue?

I noticed that the power will always come on when I switch the ignition back to the I (one) position, shutting off the car in the process. Does this indicate an issue with the ignition switch? I should also say that I have no problems starting the car at all.

egsleepercivic

I have the same issue, but found that when it doesn't turn on if I turn the key back towards me ever so slightly it comes on I have a 95 LS

I got a new key cut by the dealer, that helped a little, took a lot of play out of the tumbler, but next I am going to try replacing the following.

Mike457

Interesting. I was going to try to see if my other key (not cut by dealer but fresh cut) would help, but now I'm thinking it is more likely the ignition switch based on your experience. Please update when you do the replacement...I'd love to hear if it fixes the problem.

tamboo

you can also try cleaning it up.
i definitely noticed a difference but they're so cheap i just replaced anyways.

https://www.team-integra.net/forum/1...-cleaning.html

Mike457

Were you having the same problem tamboo?

egsleepercivic

If its not being cut by the VIN, you are just going to have a copy of worn out key, mine was an original and was worn pretty bad

I had the same issue as in the link tamboo with an accord, I can post a pic of later, but the metal disk inside had a really high point or a hotspot. So you would only get a connection at very small spot

Mike457

This makes sense of course. I had a copy made of a non-original key that was fairly worn. However, the copy I received didn't look worn. It had sharp edges and corners that the key from which it was copied did not have.

I suppose the test is if it can actually open a door or start the car. I'm sure there have been cases where a key was so worn that copies of it were not functional so a new original had to be cut by VIN. Is that so?

egsleepercivic

not sure but the key cylinders get worn too, so sometimes the locks and such don't work well with a fresh key

Mike457

I ended up getting a key cut from the VIN. I've had it for about two weeks now and I noticed the same thing egsleepercivic did, namely that it helps but doesn't eliminate the problem. The delays have been more infrequent and don't last as long, but I might notice that it gets worse over time.

egsleepercivic, did you ever replace the part you linked? Did it fix the problem?

egsleepercivic

it hasn't been bad enough for me to do anything about it yet, but its on the list at some point