1999-2009 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
06 9-5 5 speed with 55,000 miles
In addition to a reluctance to shift into reverse on colder days until the car has really warmed up, I have a new, intermitant problem.
Several times over the last week, I will turn the key to start in the ignition switch and the dash lights and a/c fan will power up, but the starter will not engage, or will only engage for a split second, but not long enough to start the car. I flip the key around, or change to my newer back-up key and the same thing happens, so its the ignition lock and not a worn key blade. The car will start fine after two, sometimes three or four attempts. I have to use an unusually high amount of force to twist the key in the lock to where it will start the car.
Engine then starts willingly and performs fine.
Batteries in the keys allow me to open the locks from a fair distance, so I assume the key can broadcast its identity to the ignition. Bought the car new at 16,000 miles and never had the problem until now. Car was very clean when I got it and I have never dumped any liquids into the ignition.
Since it seems like electrical contacts are not being made, I was going to spray some CRC electrical contact cleaner into the ignition key slot, but thought I would wait until the community could weigh in so I don't make things worse. Never worked on an ignition switch in my years of DIY.
Also, I assumed the difficult shifting is unrelated to the ignition problem, does anyone think they are related?
Thanks in advance for your advice.
Andy
posted by 216.187....
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