No Start

[Slow Six]

I originally posted this in the 911 section. I have had an intermittent no start problem for a few days now. A local shop scanned it and found nothing. I went to start the truck this morning and again no start. I opened the door with the key in the ignition and there was no chime. I pushed in on the key and the chime came on, let off the key and no chime. I then pushed in on the key, turned it to start and engine started normally. Another part of this is that the doors would lock with the button with the engine running and the door open. Again if I pushed in on the key the doors would not lock which is the way they are supposed to work. I am thinking the ignition switch needs changing. Is this ignition switch one complete assembly and what kind of a job is it to change? Has any one else had a switch problem?

 

[sag2]

Do you have a no start, a no crank, or a start and die?

 

[Slow Six]

No start. It cranks good as there is new batteries. I learned the start and die trick a couple of years ago when I used a valet key by mistake. As I said above as long as I push in on the key and maintain pressure on it every thing is normal. I'm only guessing but I think something is worn or not making a connection. I also tried another key to confirm the security feature was not the problem.

 

[rbattelle]

I would suggest 2 possibilities. First, the ignition lock cylinder is crapped out. This explains the "push in on the key" solution.

The other would be something wrong with the wiring inside the column that links it to the rest of the vehicle. I've heard of wires back there fraying and shorting out.

Ryan

 

[Slow Six]

How difficult is it to get into the switch and what tools are needed?

 

[rbattelle]

Before we get into removing the lock cylinder, I just thought of something else. Do you have the "Sentry Key Immobilizer" security key?

Ryan

 

[Slow Six]

Yes I do. I used my other key as well. As I said above it starts normally if I just push in on the key so I think that rules out the Sentry thought. The engine also keeps running after it starts. I also notice that when I push in on the key it feels as if the cylinder has a spring behind it. Is this normal or has the switch worn out and not staying in the correct position?

 

[Bob4x4]

The ignition cylinder and switch are separate,both are very easy to remove. Drop the shrouds and with-in a few minutes both can be removed using small torx drivers



Bob

 

[rbattelle]

Yes I do. I used my other key as well. As I said above it starts normally if I just push in on the key so I think that rules out the Sentry thought. The engine also keeps running after it starts. I also notice that when I push in on the key it feels as if the cylinder has a spring behind it. Is this normal or has the switch worn out and not staying in the correct position?

I think mine has a slight spring action to it if I push the key. Very slight.

I'm not ready to relinquish the sentry system from blame yet. But to diagnose the ignition switch and lock cylinder you're going to need to get a service manual. Normally I'd transpose it into this post, but in this case there are more than 4 pages devoted to the system in the service manual and I'm too lazy to type all that in!

The only thing that looks tricky is the key cylinder removal. For that, you'll need to have the shifter in (P) and the key in the cylinder and turned to RUN (disconnect the batteries).

Ryan