Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

I am having the same problem on my 98 accord sedan 5 speed. On my 2001 civic when you do ""almost"" anything, they tell you to disconnect the battery then disconnect the yellow airbag connectors, but I hear you guys to "just be carefull" around the yellow wires. Even though I can't find anything about disconnecting the airbag connectors on the 98 accord, do you think it would be safe to do so?? Do any of you have any experience doing this on this car? Better safe than sorry I guess.

ThanXXX

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

Hi everyone,

I have a question. Does anyone know when replacing the whole ignition switch of a 98 accord DX 4cyl (5 speed standard) if we have to re-program the board? I have the same ignition problem and the guys from the garage told me that it comes from the chip recognition (chip on the key), so the problem might be at the contact with the key. Anyone? Please help! :cry:

Many thanks

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

PS: When I mean whole ignition switch, I'm talking about changing the key lock, wires and keys as well.

Oh and nice post, the instructions are nicely explained!

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

Hey Darcy,

Well if you're having the same problem as I was, have you tried replacing just the part I detailed in this procedure, not the whole enchilada? I would do that first before messing with the whole assembly (lock, keys, etc.).

I don't know the answer to your question specifically, but I can speculate. From what I recall during my repair, there was nothing that would kill the engine once the ignition switch (that I replaced) was turned to ON. In fact, I'm pretty sure that I used a flat-head screwdriver to just turn the switch, bypassing the whole lock and key, while testing the new unit. So, I would think that the contact between key chip and lock would only need to be momentary, while you're starting the engine. As soon as the engine's running, there should be no additional input from the key's chip, and it shouldn't be able to kill the engine if the contact is lost.

Mind you, this is just my speculation. I cannot guarantee I'm 100% correct, as I'm not a mechanic -- just a guy who likes to fiddle with stuff.

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

I know it's been a while since your post, but I figured I'd reply.

I'd take OEM Honda parts any day over aftermarket, even for the "failing" ignition switch. The first one lasted 120K miles, so it wasn't *that* bad. I recently went through a whole sequence of repairs on my Accord, and every aftermarket part that I bought for the car ended up being returned. Not because it wouldn't work, but because I compared it to OEM and found it to be vastly inferior. A background in manufacturing engineering doesn't help the cause, either. I'm a biased bitch when it comes to quality, especially since I was doing my own labor for these repairs.

And I can think of worse things to have happened on the freeway. I'll call your failing ignition switch and raise you three mysteriously-sheared studs on the front-right tire, in the middle of butt-**** nowhere, with no hardware store or Honda dealer within 120 miles.

I ended up spending the night and having a traveling tractor mechanic help me replace the three broken studs, while my future mother-in-law drove with her new husband (it was their honeymoon, and we were returning from their wedding) to get us the three studs my wheel sorely needed...

:-)

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

Awesome post!! Fixed mine today after the Jack@#%es at my local Honda dealership quoted my gf 275 bucks to fix it. You would think they would replace a part that they fixed under the recall a year ago. I ended up going with the Duralast with a lifetime warranty for 50 bucks!! Couldnt hve done it without your writeup

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

Awesome post mad medicine!!! Saved me $200 at the dealer to fix this. Pictures were perfect. I was able to lay on my back and see the mystery screw to remove. No way I would have known it was there without this

Thanks again:beer:

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

very nice

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

MM, Just performed this 'fix' on my daughter's '98 Accord. Great write up...never would have seen the screw hiding under the radio, and also holding the black cover in the back of the steering column...I ended up breaking the cover because I got tired of sitting on my head fighting the damn screw.

Thanks again, the key is the switch is replaced!

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

Amazing write up. Self diagnosed the problem and knocked it out. Thanks for the thread!
I did break the cover, it was tough getting to the top screw on the ignition switch and that other screw holding the cover was impossible to find. Hope i'm ok without the cover.

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

I have a 1999 honda accord ex MANUAL 4 cycle- 187150 mile. I just replaced it using this post and it was easy with the step by step instructions. took me about 2 hrs, and drove around for 10 miles and it hasn't die or stall yet.

My issue was driving about 5 miles and all of a sudden, all the lights on the dashboard would flickered once or twice and car was dead.

Note: i took the screw in the back out of the stirring wheel also, need a 90 degree screwdrive fyi. Also i used a plastic putty knife to jimmy the panel under the radio out to prevent scratching anything.
Thanks a lot saved me about $150.00.

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

I want you to know this is going to be printed and used for my switch install tomorrow. this is a nice thread i wish more people had the effort to make suck useful tools. thank you so much you saved me!!

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

Here's a PDF if you want to print it out: http://www.ifixit.com/pdf/ifixit/guide_3285_en.pdf

(every iFixit guide has an auto-generated PDF)

Happy fixing!

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

I had different results with the ignition switch testing. The one I removed and the new one had the same results. As follows:

continuity between terminals:

LOCK ALL OPEN
ACC 1 + 5
ON 1+3+4+5
START 1+2+3

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

Di you happen to notice if your green key light was on? It sounds like I have the same problem but I believe that its my immobilizer and not the ignition switch.

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

Thank you so much for posting this, Mad Medicine! My gf's car was turning off randomly as she was driving. I came across your post when researching the problem. I followed your step by step instructions and was completely done in 27 minutes! It would have taken me hours and hours if I had to figure it out myself. I cannot thank you and the other relpiers enough!

As a side note, the symptoms were the car turning off on its own while driving, sometimes restarting on its own, and other times needing to be dropped into neutral and restarted before being hit by traffic. Someone wrote that to test this, while the car was running, to wiggle the key (in the on position) and when I did it, it died, so I figured the switch was exactly the problem. The previous owner had already done the recall fix at Honda. So I bought the duralast part for 52 bucks and she purrs like new. By the way, someone else mentioned that you can see and smell the bad ignition switch. That is true...the burnt plastic smell was there after I popped out the switch and smelled it (it was faint but definitely there) Also, there was browned and slightly melted plastic at the base of the white ignition switch cap.

Anyways, thank you OP! You are both me and my girlfriends hero! Especially hers, since now her car doesn't die anymore in traffic going 60 :)

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

LOL...my gf just read this and told me this morning (before I replaced her ignition switch) that it died on her in a parking lot and everyone was staring at her and one guy was waiting to back out and she felt like an idiot.

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

Hey, this is for those of you who have had the ignition switch replaced by the dealership under the recall. When you type your vin into the link below, what does it say about the ignition safety recall? Mine says the status is "open". Does this mean the switch was never replaced under the recall? Thanks

https://www.ahm-ownerlink.com/SEO/Ho...20RECALL%20IDS

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

saved alot of money by using this as my reference

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

great thread

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

I changed the ignition switch but it didnt fix my problem with the car randomly turning off. I ended up changing the main relay and that fixed it. The solder points for the coil in the relay crack and its very common ive heard. Its good to go now! Easy fix, its bolted up under the dash.
:)

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

Can anyone help out with exactly where the main relay is located on 98 accord v6 sedan? Engine dies at random. It will spin but not start for 5 minutes or so. Just replaced the ignition switch. Seems maybe to die when its warmer weather. Best I have read is main relay for next guess. whatever the part is also seems to control the brake switch because it also won't come out of park during the dead spell. Anyone agree or disagree? Also please share exactly which relay and where its located on 98 accord v6 sedan. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

Here is my story with all of this mess. I first noticed it when a brief stop, once I returned to start it up...nothing. I was like what?!?! this has never happened to me in this car. At first I thought it was out of gas. So I tried again and it cranked right up. So now ..ok bad gas. So I went for a few months more and I was in motion around 35-40mph, so I steer to safety(no control). I was getting scared. It started right up. So I changed my distributor and rotor. Just recently I was sitting at a light and it just went out.

As for as the part are you guys going with a dealer part or one from Autozone or something? Price.

This whole thing is so scary. I mean stalling is one thing, but with a car in motion and control is temporary lost that is a different thing. Honda can get a huge lawsuit from this , if they haven't already. This is unacceptable. Now they have on record that I had this recall done and if it is proven that it is faulty as the one replaced. Now if something was to happen I am getting a lawyer regardless of the age of vehicle.

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

Changed mine my ignition switch took me about 2 hours. I found a ebay dealer and got it for around $35. The hardest part was getting the steering wheel cover back on. That third srew was not a issue, I just reoriented the cover out of the way. I have a car alarm installed so I had to splice a wire and attach my alarm back. Didn't use electrical tape. I had some cable ties in my tool box to gather the dangling wires.

Drove the car around and notice nothing wrong. I will come back with a update in a month or so. But this has got to be the best thread I have ever read. Saved me alot of money. I bet the dealership hates thread like this. Because to the unknowing they can make at least $150-$200 off this single issue.

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

PLEASE HELP

I have been reading through all of these posts and I am having somewhat of a Similar issue with my wife's 99 Honda Accord. I have never had the car stall out while driving but I have had issues with the car starting consistently. When I turn the key to start, there is not a clicking or dead battery type sound. The engine does not turn over and the car does not even try to start. We have been having this problem intermittently for the last 6 months and occasionally the car would start. Now, we have been unable to start the car for weeks.

I believe that it could be the ignition switch because of the intermittent failures in the past. I think that the switch is completely burned up now. I did have the car fixed with the initial recall without having any issues prior. I really appreciate any ideas or thoughts anyone may have.

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

I forgot to mention in my previous post that I have cleaned all battery connections, checked fuses, and charged my battery over night.

I have also had problems with the car starting in really hot days. I read in another forum that instead of replacing the main relay, my problem could be the fuel pump relay switch. Is this the same thing as the main relay? Sorry for asking another question before e first one is answered but I want to get the car fixed.

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

My son has a 99 Accord, the key falls out of the switch, so the tumblers must be bad and it also stalls. He has a parts car, can he change the switch and tumbler and use his key or the doner key, without going to the dealer to reprogram the key. I wonder if the tumnlers are all the same, and the only difference is the chip in each key. What reads the chip, the computer or is there something in the switch? Thanks

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

Thanks for this post. Just completed changing out my ignition switch with no problems. Not sure if I could have done it without this step by step tutorial!

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

So I changed mine last night. Took me an hour to complete.

No way I would have figured this out with your detailed write up. Mad Props to the OP!

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

I've been having same problems as everyone else. Occaisionally have problems starting, and it's stalled twice on me driving. Now it won't even try to turn over. Green key was blinking but now it doesn't. Battery is fine all lights work.

Checked main relay and it looked fine. Followed these instructions and got same multimeter result so I replaced the ignition switch. Didn't work. I get same result with either ignition switch.

Any thoughts?

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

Please HELP!!! I have read all the messages on the Ignition Switch Issue and need to get an approximate cost price to get the issue resolved, and any suggestions/alternatives to a Honda Dealer are more than welcome.
I have a 1998 Honda Accord Automatic LX - 83,000 miles. Same problem like most who have posted here. The car just randomly dies in the middle of driving, complete power failure on the dashboard, green key sign flashes, and you can't even shift the gears. The clock & hazard lights do work. It starts back up in a few minutes, and then it works like nothing ever happened till the next occurence which could be days or a week later. The symptoms all point most likelyto the Ignition Switch, although it could be the ICM or Distributor etc.

The ignition switch has already been replaced in Oct,2002 as a part of the Honda Recall.
I took the car to a Honda dealership, and they wanted $93 bucks to look at it to see what the issue was. After I asked them for the cost for ignition switch replacement, they quoted me a ridiculous amount of $557. In addition to the fact that I can't afford it, it makes no sense to invest that kind of money in the car given the whole diminishing returns etc.

Please HELP - I am desperate, and do not have the tech car savvy that most of the posters on this site have to replace it myself. So any suggestions to help resolve this issue are welcome. Thanks in advance

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

What a great job you did with the switch diagrams!
Would you be able to show the fuse box under the hood of a 2008 Honda civic? I have bought the replacement relay switch for the ac but cannot determine which of the five identical relays is bad. I guess I could take them all out one at a time, but am wondering if that is wise?
Thanks!

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

Hi am new this forum great walkthrough I am planning on changing the ignition switch in my moms 2000 honda accura tomorrow. I have already pulled the main relay board out but the solder joints look good but went ahead an re-soldered the joints. My main question is are people still updating this thread? I noticed the last reply was from 2009. Just wondering if anyone could help if I run into any problems tomorrow.

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

Update: I installed the ignition switch but it still won't start. I tried to test the relay but unable to figure out what should happen when the relay is energized. I can hear and feel it coming on any help please would be greatly appreciated

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

I don't know why it took me five years to figure out the "Subscribe to this thread" link, but I will finally get notifications if anyone posts a new message on this thread :) Prior to now, I just checked intermittently.

I'm sorry, but I don't know how much help I can be with your issue. I replaced the whole ignition switch enchilada with the new unit, mainly because my expertise doesn't extend to much more than that :/ But feel free to toss out any questions you have, and I'll try my best to answer them.

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

Just wanted you to know that I found your guide helpful. Getting to skip past all the guess work about how to get at the ignition switch (and being confident that was the problem in the first place) saved me a bunch of time.

Thank you!

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

I have no idea how to thank OP for this guide other than saying THANK YOU. I've been going through this EXACT same issue for months and no one had been able to fix it. I've been to three mechanics and none got the problem fixed. I've had the fuel pump relay replaced and the distributor along with multiple guesses as to what the exact problem is, but no one has a clue. I got so frustrated at so much wasted time and money that I decided to start looking this up myself and I cane across this forum and guide. What a great write-up!! I can't even begin to thank you enough for it. I did the work myself which took me a few hours but I felt so proud after it was done and no longer giving me problems. Than you, Sir!!

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

What is this button for??

Attachment 436613

My car has it too, thought it was aftermarket but now starting to think it's not..

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

Ya know, I have no idea... I've pushed it a couple of times before, and nothing happened... And I didn't bother to investigate it when I was replacing the ignition switch.

Sorry! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Re: 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement
 

Hello, I have been having similar problems with my 99 Honda Accord it turns off while I'm driving and won't stay turned on unless I hold the key in the run position for a few minutes.The dealer said it was the ignition switch. I was wondering if I replace the ignition switch do I need to have the keys reprogrammed? Or will they work as is?