This morning my '91 LX wouldn't start and stay running.

When I put the key to the "on" position, to prime the fuel pump, only the radio came on. Usually the dash lights come on (CEL, Brake, Batt).

So I turn the key a little farther (III?), but not so far that it actually cranks, and THEN the fuel pump primes and dash lights come on.

Then I turn it all the way, after the fuel system pressurizes, and it has plenty of juice to crank and start. The engine even ran when I held the key all the way cranked (with that awful starter grinding going on). But then when I let go of the key the car dies, as if I turned it off.

It almost seems like the ignition rotated so each position is one-off, if that makes sense.

I had to drive a Buick to work today any ideas? thanks

edit - This first cropped up maybe two days ago (the "on" position not priming fuel system), but it never prevented the car from staying running until this morning.

 

Ignition switch is the problem here, I had the same issue in my 90 LX about two years ago.

 

yup i just replaced my ignition a month and a half ago, same symptoms.

 

Thanks H-T

 

Ignition Starter Switch $78 plus tax Checker Auto.

 

Price a honda ignition switch. You can't beat the factory quality!

 

the key cylinder is like $14 at the Zone or the ignition switch (peice that fits behind the key cylinder is about $24 at the Zone, but Yes thats beez the problem

 

OK, I swapped in the ignition switch from my old CRX. Smoked a cigarette, crossed my fingers, no start. It turned over but felt like it was missing spark.

I charged the battery and cleaned the terminals/posts, and re-checked all the connections I made.

Now all the key positions work normally (I,II,&Crank) but it took me (3) 10sec cranks to get the car to start. Drove great though no codes on the way to work.

What's with the lazy start? Car looks pretty lifeless out in the parking lot. My hopes aren't high for getting her home tonight.

 

Update: 'sall good now. It seems like the switch just needed to "take a set" because the amount of time it needed to crank before it fired up got steadily less and less.....now all normal.

Thanks again for the help!