So, I just bought this 1997 5-speed prelude as my first car for $3,800. Had a new filter, Starter and Battery put in it right before. Shifts like butter and drives clean but i always have to fiddle around with the key for sometimes 5-10 minutes in order to get the key to turn over. I've tried putting WD40 on the key in order to possibly lubricate it more but it doesn't seem to help all that well and its going to cost me about $500 to get it fixed and I'm working and going to school at the same time. So I'm not making too much money and would like to save as much as i can on cosmetic adjustments and car parts. Any tips on what i could do to fix it or at least get the key to turn over easier?

 

Call the a Honda dealership and have them run your VIN number for "TSB 02-031". There was a ignition recall done on all 5th gens. If your car has not had it fixed, Honda will still replace that part free of charge.

If they already did you have no choice but to buy a new ignition.

 

Get a new key from Honda. I was starting to have this problem from the key being worn down, which included the door locks becoming difficult to open, but the ignition was the worst. It was about $60 and now it works perfectly b/c they cut it based on the VIN. Try this before spending a bunch of money trying to get a new ignition.

 

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If your key is a little rough in the door locks as well, that would be the first thing I would replace. I had to do both key and ignition cylinder in my '97 SH a while back (Can't remember which went first.) Any decent locksmith can both provide and cut a new key for you. My new key is not OEM Honda, but works perfectly. I hope your car came with the red learning key, otherwise it will go from being a $60-80 job to a lot of cash for an entirely new immobilizer unit.

There is a work around for the immobilizer, but I have no experience with it. Do a search (either h-t.com or google) for "Honda Prelude immobilizer bypass".

Good luck and congratulations on your choice of a first vehicle!