mike171562

iTrader: (4)

got in my 97 3.8 firebird the other day and turned the key to start and nothing happens, no instruments on the dash would work and no start.

I played around with the key a bit and found if i moved the key forward a few times rapidly it would start but it would die as soon as i let the key roll back in the ignition

I managed to drive it home by holding the key forward slightly in the ignition just enough so it wouldnt engage the starter, if i let tension off the key, the car would die.

From what I am reading this appears to be a bad ignition switch, can anyone confirm this and how much of a bitch is it to replace?

chrysler kid

iTrader: (14)

It's a bit of a pain to replace in terms of getting a steering wheel puller tool to remove the steering wheel.

I have seen posts that say to replace the ignition and key most dealers charge from $380 -$450 after parts and labor

mike171562

iTrader: (4)

I have read that you can just remove the two bolts holding the steering column and drop it down a bit to get access

Im not sure if i need to replace the ignition barrel or just the ignition switch, vats is disabled so that wont be a problem.

Spartan7

iTrader: (7)

No need to pull the steering wheel to replace the switch. Yes, just drop the column down by removing the 2 support nuts for access to the ignition switch. Sounds like it's your issue, and they're cheap at the parts store.

mike171562

iTrader: (4)

Thats what i wanted to hear, thx

cambirdracing

iTrader: (4)

this happened on my 94 3.4 Bird. It was the ingnition switch behind the dash that was bad. When you get it out, you will see how burnt up it is. Took about 30 minutes in my work parking lot to fix it. I wasn't going to hold the key forward just a little bit for a 1 1/2 hour drive home, lol.

mike171562

iTrader: (4)

Ha, I was at work to, had to drive 30 miles home with my hand on the ignition switching hands every few minutes.



I get weird looks when i try and do anything to my car at work , everybody has to come up and ask me if everything's ok.