cleaning ignition switch?
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
cleaning ignition switch?
I am having problems with my car not starting AGAIN.... I got a brand new key cut and it helped, but it started happening again. I have seen people suggest cleaning the ignition switch and I was wondering how one would go about doing that?
thanks in advance
thanks in advance
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Press "2" for English
hey, bsmith, you may recall i'm having the same trouble as you. nobody responded to my question either. well, after the car left me stranded at the local wal*mart flashing security, i figured it was time to get creative. i bought a bottle of rubbing alcohol for $.84 and used a napkin i had in the car. i tore the napkin and rolled it up until it was about the thickness of a q-tip stick, dipped it in the alcohol and brushed the inside of the ignition keyhole. i was definately surprised at the amount of crap that came out on the napkin! of course, the car started immediately after the cleaning.
only time will tell if this will "solve" my security problem but at the very least, this one bit of detailing doesn't seem to be able to hurt anything. looks like i might just put this one on my regular schedule.
only time will tell if this will "solve" my security problem but at the very least, this one bit of detailing doesn't seem to be able to hurt anything. looks like i might just put this one on my regular schedule.
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
I was going to reply and let you know that it didnt work for me either. Could you do me a huge favor and let me know what you find out at the dealer? I have heard changing the ignition switch is the next option...
Mine always seemed to happen after I had shut the car off for a few minutes. Last night it happened to me and the car hadnt been started in a few days.
good luck with the dealer.... hopefully they can give you a good diagnosis for an intermittent electrical problem
just curious... are you getting the P1631 code also?
Mine always seemed to happen after I had shut the car off for a few minutes. Last night it happened to me and the car hadnt been started in a few days.
good luck with the dealer.... hopefully they can give you a good diagnosis for an intermittent electrical problem
just curious... are you getting the P1631 code also?
Last edited by bsmith; Sep 2, 2004 at 11:57 AM.
Abby Normal
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From: Press "2" for English
yeah, i'm getting that code.
have you seen yours start and run while flashing "security"? sounds to me like an obvious sign that there is a problem in the computer somewhere if it will do that.
i'll keep you updated.
have you seen yours start and run while flashing "security"? sounds to me like an obvious sign that there is a problem in the computer somewhere if it will do that.
i'll keep you updated.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Port St. Lucie FL
My security light comes on while driving from time to time. I have noticed that the times it does come on I am turning a corner. I have lots of keys on my ring so I got to thinking. I now have just the car key and house key and it does not come on anymore. I have a 98 Couple. I also noticed that the size of the hole where the key goes in seems a little big. I will probably replace the switch the next time I go in. My extended warranty will replace it for me with a zero deductable. OH I have never had the car not start and I have 51,000 miles on her.
Jim in Amarillo, TX
Jim in Amarillo, TX
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
I started having the problem about 6-8 months ago and I posted it and I got a response from a C5 mechanic. first thing he asked was if I had a keychain and other keys on the fob. I did.
I took the keychain off and it made it all better... for about a month.
next I bought a new key and it made things all better... for about a month.
I have a feeling that in a few months you will be having the same problem that clutchdust and I have.
I took the keychain off and it made it all better... for about a month.
next I bought a new key and it made things all better... for about a month.
I have a feeling that in a few months you will be having the same problem that clutchdust and I have.
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Race Director
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From: Hurst, TX USA
Originally Posted by 6 speed Sid
If you onlt want to clean the key and switch, go to Radio Shack or other electronice house and purchase can of spray "contact cleaner". It will clean and not leave any residue. Sid.
Or some of the stuff you use to clean floppy disk and cd rom heads. CompUSA or someplace like that should carry it.
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Press "2" for English
i can't speak for the previous owner but the only thing hanging from my ignition key when i drive the car is the fob.
after years of track events, i learned to carry those detachable type key rings and whenever i drive, the rest of my house keys, etc, stay in my pocket.
after years of track events, i learned to carry those detachable type key rings and whenever i drive, the rest of my house keys, etc, stay in my pocket.
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by clutchdust
yeah, i'm getting that code.
have you seen yours start and run while flashing "security"? sounds to me like an obvious sign that there is a problem in the computer somewhere if it will do that.
i'll keep you updated.
have you seen yours start and run while flashing "security"? sounds to me like an obvious sign that there is a problem in the computer somewhere if it will do that.
i'll keep you updated.
I have had my secrity light come on while driving a couple times and just stay on.
I can tell as soon as I put the key in the ignition whether or not it will start. I turn the key to run and if the security light is flashing it is not going to start. Last weekend at a gas station the car would turn over and start and then it would stumble and die... getting very annoying.
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Press "2" for English
just picked mine up this morning. they said it was fixed this time. had to reprogram the BCM. lightened my wallet by $90 bucks. for some reason, that's not a warranty proceedure. funny, i thought warranties were supposed to fix things that go wrong. seems that if the computer stops working correctly that would qualify. apparently, i am mistaken.
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by clutchdust
just picked mine up this morning. they said it was fixed this time. had to reprogram the BCM. lightened my wallet by $90 bucks. for some reason, that's not a warranty proceedure. funny, i thought warranties were supposed to fix things that go wrong. seems that if the computer stops working correctly that would qualify. apparently, i am mistaken.
kind of weird that they reprogram the BCM, the P1631 code is a PCM error???? maybe the BCM wasnt sending the right signal and the PCM is what detects the problem.
Hope it stops doing it for you
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Press "2" for English
yeah. twice today. picked it up this morning and already shut me down twice.
intresting, it's different now though.
before, whenever i turned the key to start, it would flash security.
now, i turn the key and everything goes dead, except the "check engine" light. both times, i pulled the key out, locked the car, waited a couple minutes, unlocked it and it started right up.
service manager says the only thing left is to replace the cylinder and keys. that probably won't be covered under my bumper-to-bumper warranty either.
intresting, it's different now though.
before, whenever i turned the key to start, it would flash security.
now, i turn the key and everything goes dead, except the "check engine" light. both times, i pulled the key out, locked the car, waited a couple minutes, unlocked it and it started right up.
service manager says the only thing left is to replace the cylinder and keys. that probably won't be covered under my bumper-to-bumper warranty either.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: mission viejo ca
cleaning ignition
Guys what's the BCM? I have a code- U 1064 "loss of communication w/BCM"? I'm wondering if it has something to do with my "not"starting problem that I cannot seem to fix. Another guy told me that it may be my ignition cylendar that creates the problem.
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Press "2" for English
BCM is Body Control Module. PCM is Powertrain Control Module. all this computerization of these cars is really scaring me. next thing you know (if not already), your car is going to work like your computer. mysterious crashes, rebooting, viruses. i can hardly wait! the more this goes on, the more i appreciate the '81.
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by clutchdust
yeah. twice today. picked it up this morning and already shut me down twice.
if you end up replacing the ignition cylinder could you let me know how that goes? I am out of warranty and a little tight on cash.
