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

  1. #1
    DX User red's Avatar
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    Driving while holding the starter engaged...WTF??

    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.



  2. #2
    SEi User Hauntd ca3's Avatar
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    Re: Driving while holding the starter engaged...WTF??

    ignition switch is stuffed

  3. #3
    DX User red's Avatar
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    Re: Driving while holding the starter engaged...WTF??

    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!

  4. #4
    DX User red's Avatar
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    Re: Driving while holding the starter engaged...WTF??

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

  5. #5


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

    Ignition switch is the part you put the key in. The contacts wear out.
    1988 Lxi owner since August 1995
    336k miles running strong!
    Now running E85.

    Oldblueaccord <<< MY YOUTUBE PAGE!

  6. #6
    SEi User Hauntd ca3's Avatar
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    Re: Driving while holding the starter engaged...WTF??

    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

  7. #7
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    Re: Driving while holding the starter engaged...WTF??

    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?

  8. #8
    DX User red's Avatar
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    Re: Driving while holding the starter engaged...WTF??

    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.

  9. #9
    SEi User Hauntd ca3's Avatar
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    Re: Driving while holding the starter engaged...WTF??

    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.

  10. #10
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    Re: Driving while holding the starter engaged...WTF??

    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?

  11. #11
    DX User red's Avatar
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    Re: Driving while holding the starter engaged...WTF??

    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!!

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