[Pont]

Ok, total noob here so be patient!

I have a 97 Eclipse GS-T Spyder. I bought it about 2 1/2 years ago. It's been a great car and has never given me any troubles, AT ALL!. It's dependable and runs perfect. 129k mi.

About 6 months ago, I bought another daily driver and parked the Eclipse. It has been sitting all this time, although I would go out and start it about once a month, just for good measures.

Today, I decided to pull it out of storage to clean it up and sell it. I started it up and drove it about 100 ft. (in front of the garage) and proceeded to prep it so I could sell it. After some cleaning, I hopped back in the car to start it but it did something it has never done before.

I turned the key to the on position, then ACC, but it immediately sprung back, like it would after trying to start it. Hmmm I thought, how weird! It springs back at the ACC position instead of springing back after advancing to the "RUN" position.

Now, I can start the car, but I have to hold the key in the RUN postion (or somewhere between RUN and ACC) to keep it running. If I let go of the key, it comes back far enough to kill the engine.

SO MY QUESTION IS: has this happened to anybody else? Can it be adjusted? Do I need to replace the ignition switch? and if so, what kind of chore is that going to be.


Many thanks for reading my post and your prompt replies.


Pont

 

[dustinmp2]

you can take it out and clean and regresse the tumblers.it is a chore and i would just replace it. what happens is after time the tumblers get stuck and then dosen't let all of them turn and causes this issue.
i work for chrysler and we have this about 2-3 times a week.
put a new one in it and you will be set.

 

[Pont]

It's not that the key and tumbler assembly won't turn, it turns just fine, all the way to the start position. It will turn to the "on" position just fine, but when you advance it to the "ACC" position, it springs back to the on position. It shouldn't have a spring, or retract action until you turn it clear over to "start" then it should spring back to "ACC". I can advance it all the way and start the car, it just won't stay started unless I hold the key in the "ACC" position because it wants to spring back to the "on" position.

I hope that helps clarify. Someone told me that there is a spring loaded ignition part that sits behind the tumbler assembly. I ordered that part hoping it will fix the problem.

Thanks

 

[bgsx90]

I had the same problem with my car. It was the ignition switch.