I tried to troubleshoot on my own I also searched this forum high and low and I can't answer my problem.


I have a 98 Accord lx 2.3.

It has power in key position 1 but loses it in 2&3. Almost as if battery is dead. No dash lights or head lamps.

Ignition recall was just done.
New battery
New battery negative ground
New starter

People are telling me it's another ground... Anybody got an idea what's the likely culprit?

If I go from battery + straight to alternator with a jump it starts right up and runs great!

Any help would be appreciated.

 

If you get power in the 1 position and not in the other two this would appear to mean the ignition switch is bad...assuming the lock cylinder appears to be in good shape.

If this was a ground issue you have no power in any position.

 

I concur.

Wonder if the switch was installed incorrectly or something else was fubar'd.

 

I'm inclined to agree, but position 1 requires little/less power therefor the ground doesn't need to be as good (or it could be related to a different ground point).

Turing on the head lights also make the system go-off/dark and they're unrelated to the ignition switch.

New ideas? Anybody? Thanks for the responses! Greatly appreciated.

 

to confirm the ignition switch is bad you can jumper the incoming solder joint with a test lead/alligator clip to the 2 position solder joint...if the dash lights come on the ignition switch is faulty

 

I installed a new battery + cable and the problem appears remedied.

Idle was all over for awhile afterward. Hmmm.

 

If you pulled the battery you cleared the memory, and the car may have been relearning start up strategy.