Well Im gonna try to explain this as good as possible. last night in traffic my cars dash lights just started to turn off then the car died on the freeway, luckily it started back up after 20 seconds.
Then this morning I go to turn on my car but I as I turn my key my dash display doesnt turn on but the car still attempts to turn over. Any Ideas????

 

Similar thing happened to me a while ago. Do a search for ignition switch problems. The first thing I noticed when mine started to go bad was the dash lights wouldnt turn on when i had the key at II (two position) and then a month or so later the car would turn over and run, but as soon as i let go of the key it would go back to possition II and shut off.


Turns out it was the electrical portion of my ignition. Someone had a similar problem a few weeks ago and you should be able to find his thread without too much hassle.

 

I had the same problem too....and it was the pig tail of the ignition switch...I changed it and my car turns on and the lights on the dashboard turn on too...I'm pretty sure is that..Let me know if everything went fine...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by LudeBehavi0r &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Similar thing happened to me a while ago. Do a search for ignition switch problems. The first thing I noticed when mine started to go bad was the dash lights wouldnt turn on when i had the key at II (two position) and then a month or so later the car would turn over and run, but as soon as i let go of the key it would go back to possition II and shut off.


Turns out it was the electrical portion of my ignition. Someone had a similar problem a few weeks ago and you should be able to find his thread without too much hassle.</TD></TR></TABLE>


Thats exactly what what happen Im gonna do a search right now...


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jdm92lude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I had the same problem too....and it was the pig tail of the ignition switch...I changed it and my car turns on and the lights on the dashboard turn on too...I'm pretty sure is that..Let me know if everything went fine...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Is changing it something that just needs to be unscrewed and unplugged???

 

Yea basically. U gota take all the plastic 'ish off the steering column and the only prob i had was that the screws that were holding the switch onto the column didnt have a notch in the top (aka it was round like a rivet).

In short i had to use a dremmel to cut a pretty deep line in the top of them so I could use a flat head to remove it. There are 2 parts, the mechanical part that u put ur key in and the electrical portion that fits onto the back of the mech. portion. There are a few small normal phillips head screws that hold it on and u just seperate the two pieces w/ur hands. Its really not difficult, just maek sure u keep up with all the little screws nad other 'ish that u take apart.

 

thanks for the how to. Also used the search button and found more info so it should be cake. Now my last question is can shoul I go to a honda dealer i think I read that they are pretty inexpensive there or can I go to pep boys. ect.

The other guy mention something about the pig tail end...Any Idea what he was talking about??

 

YEAH..the pig tail is connected to the ignition switch...thats what makes the dashboard lights and car turn on...I got mine of a 94-95 honda accord..its pretty easy to install..the only pretty hard thing is taking off those 3 little screws thats holding it..,but the rest is plug and play...

 

I got a used one from a salvage yard, cost me like $70. IF you gonna get a used one i would suggest testing it out b4 u buy it, as in put the key in and turn it some and see if its difficult or not to actuate.

The pig tale is kinda a PITA too b/c if you have to remove that, that means you have to take more sh*t apart under the dash and it just gets a little tight in there, but no biggie.

Hope you get this figured out soon. Mine was working fine one the first time i started it. I drove somewhere and when i came out to leave mine was doin the funky start thing and i was stuck for a while until i wiggled the key some then it just cut off on me when i was driving and ended up havin to hold the key at III so i could limp home in rush hour, lol.

 

http://www.hondaautomotivepart...WITCH

The odd thing is that the pigtail doesent have a part #.

Anyways, im on my way to the pick-a-parts and see if I can find one there. Hopefully it works.

 

Bump.

 

Problem Fixed.

 

How did you fix the problem. Do you care to elaborate? For future search convenience...

 

Sure. Well it seems that the when your dash lights go out but your car still wants to turn on its because of the pig tail from the ignition switch goes out. Its the part thats connected to where the fuses inside your car are which is usually the drivers side kick panel. thats why im guessing The dash, lights, windows etc. dont work. You dont need to replace the entire switch only need to replace the harness thats connected to it. I guess these things go out after a while.

I started by removing the plastics around the steering wheel and the one under the dash.

There was no need for me to remove the Ingnition switch itself (The piece you stick your key into) I just had to remove the pig tail (Round white thing about the size of a quarter with two harenesses attached to it).http://www.hondaautomotivepart...WITCH
Its a lil tight but there are only three screws holding it in and can be easily removed with a tiny 6mm wrench.

Just follow the cable under the dash and unplug the harness from the car.

I purchased a used one from a honda wrecking yard and they charged me 40 bucks for it. They orginally wanted about 75 for the entire switch and harness but I only needed the harness.

Reverse the order to install it and keep track of all the screws and your all set.

Maybe this should go in the FAQ if this is a common thing with prelude???This is the first time I ever come across this in any one of my hondas.

 

I had the same problem with the ignition switch. I didn't opt to buy a new one though. I just took apart the "plug" end that connects to the key cylinder (the white plastic part) and cleaned up the electrical contacts inside. Works like new again.