Today, the car took a dump on me. I tried starting it up to get to work, but it just fires up for 1 second, then immediately dies after. At first I thought this problem shouldnt be related to the battery since it did fire, but I jumped it always and it worked. So I let it charge for 20 mins or so, shut it down, and it's doing the same thing again.

So what do yall think, Battery problem alone, or would there be a problem with the starter. What I dont understand is that, usually when a battery dies, the starter would just click right, but I'm not sure why did mines start?

Thanks

 

Next time it happens, try this to rule out a flaky ignition switch...

Start the car, you say it fires up & doesn't keep running. Instead of simply releasing the key to the 'on' position; hold it in between so the starter quits running, but the key doesn't go all the way back. If it stays running this way, you can suspect the ignition switch. Maybe if it's running, you can wiggle the key & make it quit??

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JimBlake &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Next time it happens, try this to rule out a flaky ignition switch...

Start the car, you say it fires up & doesn't keep running. Instead of simply releasing the key to the 'on' position; hold it in between so the starter quits running, but the key doesn't go all the way back. If it stays running this way, you can suspect the ignition switch. Maybe if it's running, you can wiggle the key & make it quit??
</TD></TR></TABLE>

that's exactly how it happens. When I leave the key on the 3 (igniting) position, it stays running. Thanks for the info.

 

The electrical part of the ignition switch (attached to the inside end of the lock cylinder) is known to get flaky.

 

What year and model is it? Some have a recall on them.

 

1991 Acura Integra LS. Any idea on the cost of replacing the unit that is faulty?