I just drove the car home and it won't start. Turns over but when you let go of the key it just shuts off like you are turning off the key or there is no fuel. Anyone ever seen this fun puzzle?

 

Ok this is a broken ignition switch
When I turn it to on, it is only radio, and when I go to start it, the lights come on and it starts, if I bearly let off pressure on the key and don't let it fall back to on, the starter shuts off and it runs. Anyone experience this? Do I have to buy a new ignition or can I fix the one I have?

 

Alright I can help you with this one. My 4th gen had the same problem and everyone told me to replace the ignition switch. I decided to investigate the problem before investing 250 buck on a new one.

What you'll need to do is, take the shroud around the ignition switch off. You do not have to take the actual key tumblers out, just take the white disc shaped switch out that's bolted to the back of the tumbler. You can see all the big thick power wires coming out of it. You can unplug that harness from the car to work on it comfortably on a work bench.

If you look carefully at the switch, you will see that it just snaps together with pressure so just take it apart carefully with a flat screw driver. There is a spring in there so don't let it go flying.

Once it's apart you will see that there are some ridges and groves the contact slides along. My switch had a copper fragment that had welded itself to the grove making the surface irregular enough to make contact intermittent. I used a dremel tool with a very fine grinding ball and pointed tip to clean the area up. I just smoothed any irregularities carefully then lubricated it with white grease. Pop it together, don't forget the spring! Plug it back in and try it before putting it all back together.

And the last step is, pat yourself on the back that you saved a lot of money.

It's not that difficult, once you'll see it in front of you it'll make more sense.

 

It's the ignition swith. If I remember right, the part that connects to the tumbler was worn out on mine. This is a common fix for us 4th gen's.

 

Just FYI an ignition switch is only $40 brand new from Honda.

 

Not in Canada it isn't. I didn't realized they were so affordable in the US. I checked the site I get my parts from now and ya it's like $44 plus shipping of course.

I tell you Honda Canada is crazy expensive.

 

fml. Indeed it is. I buy everything off myhondapartsstore.com and ship to the border to pick them up. The US gets the masterbrake cylinder for like 110$. We get it for 200ish. its mental the amount the prices are jacked up here.

 

Wow! That is nuts.... I think I would ship my stuff to the border also.