i have a 92 prelude when you turn the ignition to the run position it dose NOTHING no lights, gauges, no NOTHING!!! when you turn the key all the way to start the car the lights turn on and the motor turns over and starts then when you let off the key the motor dies and the lights and gauges turn back off. the only thing that works when the key is in the run position is the windows and acc.

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN THIS?????

 

Sounds like a faulty ignition switch or a wiring fault on that wire leaving the ignition switch...possibly a fuse that regulates the voltage for that line.

I would start by using a voltmeter on that line right at the back of the ignition switch. If you have voltage there when the key is in that position (and you haven't changed any wiring lately), then I would check the fuse boxes for a major accessories fuse...its probably a BIG fuse in the under-hood box (that is, if your switch is good).

--TJ

 

I have checked all the fuses in the kick panel and under the hood and they all look good to me i don't have a multi meter right now but i am getting to the point i am going to go buy one because i need for other stupid crap on my wife honda.

Any other ideas this is about BS i drove it home last night and went to start it to move it in the driveway and it started this crap. I was thinking a relay somewhere but i don't know what one.

 

You can take the screws out of your steering column trim and try to take a look at the electric ign switch to see if any wires look loose. You can also use a testlight, if you have one of those, to check for voltages on the wires as you turn the key through positions.

Some brave people might blindly use a wire to jumper from the "acc" to the "on" position on the switch, thus providing voltage TO the "on" key position. However, you need to know which wires are which...otherwise you might blindly be applying ground to a hot wire...that ends badly, btw. If applying 12volts to the "on" position wire does NOT change anything, you might assume that the switch is good and to troubleshoot elsewhere.

You can try to google "prelude ignition wire colors" and search for a trusted color code so you know which wire is which.

A multimeter only costs about $10-15 at walmart ...it's also good for testing resistance to determine when switches are properly operating...this is especially handy because it doesn't require voltage present just to see if the switch turns on.

--TJ

 

Hey just wanted to think you for your very quick response. I think ill stop and pick up a multi-meter on my way home from work today seeing as how I need one for other things also. But I will look into that and see what I can find.

 

ok this is retarded as HELL!!! After extensive searching on the internet i found that this is a VERY COMMON problem with these cars.

It was the electrical side of the ignition switch. I took apart the collum and unbolted the the eletrical part of the switch. when i had it out i took off the white plastic cover and found that where the switch sits in the run position was burnt up. I took a small piece of heavy grit sand paper and sanded off the burnt section of the contacts and reassembled and every thing works great!!

Thanks again for your help and very Quick response.