Ignition delay/dead

[alauder]

I have a new problem! 2.0 74 FI

For two weeks now, when I turn the key in the ignition there has been a delay of a second or two before the starter turns over. Once the starter turns over everything is OK.

The battery is good, the grounds all seem fine but the problem is getting worse.

Now if I turn the key slowly nothing happens. I have to turn the key really fast to get it started.

Is the ignition switch in the steering column about to give up the ghost?

A

[John Rogers]

If the ignition switch is the original it could well be bad since it is good German plastic and is old. You can by-pass the start contacts in the switch by using one of the remote starter switches (borrow one). Hook it to the batt positive and the spade lug on the solinoid the turn the key on and push the button. If it cranks and starts right away then the switch is bad. Good luck.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

I agree that the likely culprit in this instance is the ignition switch itself--the fact that the behavior is different depending on how fast you move the key certainly points in that direction.

However, I disagree that rigging up a remote starting button will show if it's the ignition switch or not. When you rig a remote switch from the battery to the starter, you are bypassing a lot more than just the key. Everything from the battery (+) wiring, to the relay board, to the ignition switch, the wiring back to the relay board (and through the seatbelt interlock relay if one is present) and to the starter. Any one of those things that are bypassed could be at fault, and yet a remote switch would still crank the starter motor.

It does, however, check the ground part of the circuit, as well as the high-current circuit from the battery to the starter.

--DD

[Ed Atkinson]

John is right as for "testing" the starter; but not for other problems (as Dave mentioned)and also VOLTAGE DROP! As you all may know there ia NO direct wire to the starter [connection #50] to the ignition switch! There are a number of connections (and maybe a relay.. seat belt interlock.. see Tech. Bul. about by-pass mod.)! My cure (suggestion) for this is to: #1: replace the ignition switch
#2: Add the Bosch starter relay kit
The Bosch starter relay kit; I believe the part # is WR-1 and is about $10.00 retail and takes less than 1 hour to install!
This relay kit uses the ignition switch to activate the relay, then the relay uses BATTERY voltage to switch to the starter! There for the battery VOLTAGE goes directly to the starter and NOT through the entire car's wiring system to activate the starter! I use these on several of my other cars purely to "save" the ignition switches from having to endure higher amperage during starting!! Any one having a problem with "HOT Starts" will also fine this will fix that too! I have several of these kits available; if you can not find them. ED

[alauder]

Thanks John, Dave and Ed. I just spent my lunch hour replacing the ignition switch. It all works good as new.

Thanks PP as well, the tech article was a great help. I could not figure out how to get the barrel out till I got on line.

Andy

[SteveStromberg]

Moral to the story.Key switchs do not like more than three keys dangling from them. Steve