new ignition switch Q's

[farfrumwork]

So I am having some clickclickclick on start-up (just started a week ago or so). Come back later and it fires right up.

My researching has led me to the ignition switch itself. So my question: can a new ignition switch be "keyed" to match the other locks in the car? Or vise-versa, but seemingly more involved, key the door locks for the new ignition?

I have never performed such an operation, so maybe (hopefully) it's nice and easy

Also, are there any other models/years of ignition switches that would work in a '93 SS 5spd? Ebay has a bunch of various Subaru switches, but no exact matches... typical


thanks,
Chad

[Legacy777]

You sure it's not the starter solenoid contacts?

[IronMonkeyL255]

You sure it's not the starter solenoid contacts?

It could be either.

Mine was the actual switch, because somebody hacked the hell out of its harness, though normally they rarely go bad.

If it is, though, you could probably find a new one at an auto parts store. I got mine through Advance Auto Parts for $25.

The actual switch is separate for the key cylinder, so you don't have to worry about that.

To check if it is, wait until it's acting up and you can jumper 2 of the wires (can't remember which 2, though. A search should bring it up) at the switch's connector. If the car turns over (it won't start), then the switch is the problem. If not, it's probably the starter contacts.

[farfrumwork]

thanks guys,

Josh - yeah, it could be either but my searches found a few members with the same issue and the cause was the switch. Not that that's conclusive, but I'd rather it be the switch than the starter (the solenoid is part of the starter assembly correct?).

anyway, Ironmonkey, you're one of the infamous members to have such an issue. I'll pull some of those posts back up and see if I can figure out where the problem is through jumping wires. Cool that the switch is separate from the key cylinder!

-Chad

[farfrumwork]

well... It was better for while (starting like a champ) then today it died

In "Acc" the dash lights are dim. When trying to "start" there's a intermittent clicking under the dash (passenger side I think), the starter does nothing, and the dash light just freakout. I tried to crank it multiple times with no luck - just seemingly lowering my battery output at a rapid pace. After that I poked around under the hood and found my Neg cable that leads to the starter was HOT (and that's a pretty sizable cable too).

perviously, when it would act up it appeared as though the battery was weak - but once it finnaly caught and cranked the battery was as strong as one would expect

I'm going to locate an ignition switch (tonight hopefully if I can get it home...) and replce that 1st since they're cheap enough from an auto store.

I'm thinking that either the Ign switch or Starter solenoid is grounding out OR just consuming a lot of voltage through some contact and therefore dropping the voltage at the starter lower than required - maybe this is what caused the HOT cable (low voltage, high current).

It's a brand new battery too - I hope I didn't fry it too bad (although it wasn't hot...just the 1 cable)

If that doesn't work, I'll look into a starter assembly

I've just fot too much shit going on here at work right now otherwise I'd be getting that beast back home for diagnosis ASAP! stupid work

[farfrumwork]

ok, I couldn't just let it sit there all lonely and dead. I just went out and it was the same - basically no juice left at all.

So, I pulled and pushed (I had no tools with me at the time) the Neg terminal and it did seat a bit better on the post. Get back in the car and, sweet I have dash lights - - crank it - fires right up!

So perhaps the connections aren't as good as I thought they were. I just put a new battery in, and the Neg was hanging off for 2 weeks prior (vf12 install - yeah I take my time). I had cleaned the terminals out with some emmerycloth, but maybe a steel brush and/or just more thoroughness will do it.

I'll be very happy if that's all it is (although a very slightly dirty terminal shouldn't cause such drama - I wouldn't think anyhow - haha)

-Chad