well my 94 civic ex decided to quit on me friday. the motor starts but dies as soo as the key is released out of the start position on the tumbler. if you crank it the motor starts but only stays running with the key held in the start position which would kill the starter. i quick checked for loose connections and didnt find any. the battery is fine and I just had a new coil pack and rotor put in this past summer. any ideas from anyone?

 

Starter is shot.

 

any CEL???

 

what is CEL? the starter starts the motor just fine. the problem is the engine quits immediately after i stop starting it. Please explain what could be wrong with the starter.

 

if the starter canks the engine than the starter is fine.. CEL "check engine light".. could be an electrical problem... try checkin the main relay

 

no check engine light. I have yet to see the check engine light come on in fact. (knock on wood). when i was broke down along the road this past summer I had no choice but to get the car towed to the dealer. When I was explaining the problem it had then I remarked that I was surprised the check eng lite didnt come on. The service manager replied that for these particular civics they rarely come on and you are left with good ole troubleshooting step by step.

 

with the car off, can you turn the key to the "ON" position and feel like it sorta clicks in? I am thinking your ignition switch is bad. It would make it so when you start the car it doesn't allow the ignition switch to remain in the "ON" position but instead reverts to the ACC position in the ignition switch, which would turn the car off immediately upon release of the turn to start.

 

I was thinking something like that. where should I look for the switch? is it under the hood or dash near the steering column?

 

it is located right behind the key tumbler on the steering column.

 

I am super busy this time of year with the end of the school semester and work. Had to tow it to my local shop who I can trust and know the guy. It was the ignition switch however you can only find the whole asssembly not just the switch for sale. I checked ebay and local junkyards and parts dealers. No choice but to buy it from a dealer throught the mechanic. Gonna cost $290 for the whole assembly! geez. I wish I could just let it sit and wait til I find a deal on the part somewhere but have to give back my loaner car soon. This sucks!