my car only starts once in a while. most of the time if i turn the key all the way and push the clutch in..nothing happens.

No crank noises what so ever. It's just blank as if i was trying to start the car w/o pressing the clutch.

only starts and cranks up when i shake the key while it is in the ignition.

 

Replace the ignition switch...it's rather common.

 

would it be the ignition switch itself or the igniter?
turning the key feels as if there is too much friction at times..like it needs some lube.

Is it possible to have this fixed under the Honda Recall for 5th gen preludes?


1997-2001 HONDA PRELUDE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Recall
1997-2001 HONDA PRELUDE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Units affected: 486659 HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)
Report Date: 2005-01-28
Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE INTERLOCK OPERATION OF THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO PARK. Read More!
1997-1999 HONDA PRELUDE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Recall
1997-1999 HONDA PRELUDE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Units affected: 1000000 AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
Report Date: 2002-05-16
Summary: ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.

 

The ignitor would keep the engine from running, but it would still crank and you would still have power to other things. It's in the distributor.

The ignition switch going bad causes you to loose all power and the car won't even crank, or it will randomly loose all power when driving or whenever...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hawkze_2.3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The ignitor would keep the engine from running, but it would still crank and you would still have power to other things. It's in the distributor.

The ignition switch going bad causes you to loose all power and the car won't even crank, or it will randomly loose all power when driving or whenever...</TD></TR></TABLE>
x2. You actually need just the electrical part of the ignition, not the keyed part. The problem is in the electrical part that attaches to the back of the keyed cylinder. If you can not buy the parts separately your Honda dealer can key the new cylinder to your existing key or a locksmith can do it as well.

 

ive had some bad experiences with the local Honda Dealer.. is there any other alternative?

 

Don't just go out and buy parts.

Do this first. When it doesn't crank, get out and tap on the starter. It's somewhat common for the started solenoid to go bad.

 

when it is acting up grab a friend get them to sit in the car with the ign switch in the "crank" position. pull the solenoid wire off the starter (the smallest wire you don't need any tools it just pushes on the starter solenoid) check to see if you are getting voltage to here with a test light or volt meter. if you are. bad starter. if not bad ignition switch.

 

thanks for the tips guys..the car hasnt had any start up problems since those 2 days..

but next time it happens ill be sure to try the tapping, test of the of starter w/ a volt meter.

BTW where is the starter of a 5th gen located at? Is it the same as my 4th gen?

 

yea same spot.