Hello,

I have a nagging problem. My car exhibits all the behavior associated with the ignition switch recall on this model; randomly does not start on first try, randomly dies driving.

I replaced the ignition switch and it still happens.

When my car is having this trouble I've noticed (by accident) that leaving the key in the "on" position will eventually trigger something and I can start it. Basically I leave key in that position and the immobilizer light and the dash gear lights will click on (I can hear a click) and once that happens I can start the car.

I only replaced the electric ignition switch and not the key tumbler or anything. Is it possibly the key tumbler? Something I haven't thought of?

Main relay is fine...

 

How do you know main relay is fine? Are battery connections clean and tight? Battery in good nick?

 

All the solder joints looked clean. All the electric stuff works. Even when it doesn't start i can hear the fuel pressure noise kick in.

Plus, as far as I can tell, the car dying while driving issue is not Main Relay related. I could be wrong on that I'm basing this off my own research last few days.

Battery is fine I had it tested and it's connected fine. Even if the connections were loose i wouldn't think that would cause the car to die while driving after it has started...

 

Still having problems. I decided to use my spare key for a few days which is brand new, thinking maybe the old key was having some kind of contact issue. Then today my car died twice driving and had trouble starting.

My car has only ever died at slow speeds approaching a stop....

When it's having problems starting, all I have to do is leave the key in position II and when the green D lights up on the dash, along with the immobilzer light, it'll run.

Thoughts? I've replaced the ignition switch, could it be the tumbler?

 

Just me but you are asking a question when the answer is right here in your post?

Get your voltmeter and wire diagram out and find the issue.

 

The problem is not consistent though. 95% of time it starts up just fine. To detect the problem, wouldn't I have to wait until it's happening?

Also, I'm just asking whether or not it's possible for a problem at the tumbler (sorry not sure the right technical term) could cause the car to die while driving...if the answer is definitively NO then trying to troubleshoot there is a waste of time.

 

Did you fix the issue yourself or did you have the dealer perform the recall?

 

Dealer performed original recall service. I did not own the vehicle at this time so I'm going by what the VIN lookup says.

I then replaced the electrical portion of the ignition switch myself when it started happening as the symptoms were the same as the problematic ignition switch that resulted in the recall.