1989 honda ignition won't stay on after starting - holding the key in place to drive it?

Question

My 1989 Honda Accord LX-i is not staying on after I start it. I put the key in as usual, turn it over, and it starts fine. Then when I try to let go of the key, it turns off again. I have been driving it like this, and it's drivin ME crazy! I can't figure out whether it is the ignition switch itself, or the lock that is doing that. I turns all the way to position lll on the lock, but when I let it ease into position ll it stops working. If I hold it just past position ll, it stays on, as long as I don't move it onto lll while I am driving (the starter grinds if I do that) , it works fine.

I GOTTA GET THIS FIXED!!! It's very Unsafe to drive like this.

Anyone have some advice?

Answer 1

It's the switch. You will have to take it to have it exchanged.

Answer 2

That's a wild story. This is not something you're going to be able to fix yourself, or it would be done by now. Could be a bad ignition switch. There is also a separate circuit for the ignition when the car is running and another circuit used when starting the car. You can get an ignition switch and have it re keyed to match your existing key, or use the key it comes with. It's not always easy to swap these out. I still say take it to a mechanic. It shouldn't be that expensive.

Answer 3

I think its the ignition switch itself , the contact is bad for run mode. if you just set there in the car and turn the key to run mode not start does the radio etc work? www.mycarandineedhelp.com its free and its me