Driving while holding the starter engaged...WTF??

[red]

The car: 89 Accord LX, A/T, carb, 150k

The current repairs: 2 new fuel filters, can of seafoam last 2 tanks of premium fuel, cap, rotor & plugs, and ran a lot of carb cleaner down it's throat!

The issue: car often (not always) will only stay running if you drop it into gear while keeping the starter engaged. Sometimes it just fires and dies as soon as you release the key. Never had this one happen. It just started last week.

Any insight appreciated.

[Hauntd ca3]

ignition switch is stuffed

[red]

I suspected that as a possibility.
Can you point me to a link, if you know, that tells me how to swap it out?
Fat hands in a little car!

[red]

What part of the system?? like a relay, cylinder, module, switch?

[Oldblueaccord]

Ignition switch is the part you put the key in. The contacts wear out.

[Hauntd ca3]

it will just have a wee screw or two holding it on the back of the ignition barrel.
Remove the steering column trim and you will see it.
pretty easy when you see it

[g.frost]

When the problem happens, do all the dash lights turn off too? (oil, engine, temp, etc.) If it's the ignition switch, would all the dash power be off also?

[red]

No, dash lights stay on. Ordered the switch ($72!) and the cylinder so will see what happens. They said I could return it if it does not fix the issue.

[Hauntd ca3]

you wont need the barrel/cylinder.
The switch just wears a depression on the run contact , you'd probably find that if you held the key sort of half way between the start and run position , that it would run fine.

[g.frost]

If the diagnostic lights share the same switch as the ignition, and are on when the engine dies... Does that indicate the switch is not the problem?

[red]

OK, changed out the switch and all works as it should. I was also going to change the barrel but could not get the thing to come out even with the pin all the way depressed in position one.
Anyway, thanks for the help.
Going for a drive!!