car wont start/turn off

d0ne420 · Post by **d0ne420** » Sat Jun 05, 2010 12:30 pm

i'll say sorry now if i could have found this searching, i tried but no luck...

so yesterday i go out for a lil drive pick up a few things turn the car on and off go about my day all normal and such... then i go to another stop and again turn my car off, come back an hour later and hop in try to start the car and it wont turn over, no clicking nothing... its also stuck on, like you know when you have started the car and the key clicks back and keeps the car on, and i cant shut it off...

luckily there was a journeyman mechanic near by(gotta love weddings) he said it was my ignition in the steering column, and should be an easy fix... but before i go out and buy parts im here asking for opinion and advice... i dont wanna get the wrong one, and i wanna make sure my keys i have will still work...

we got my car home to where all my tools are by bump starting it and then turned it off by unplugging the battery... car is currently sitting battery unpluged so it doesnt drain...

im gonna take pictures of when i fix this issue and post it up so if anyone else ends up like i do they will have a resource to rely upon to fix this issue...

please get back to me ASAP i need my car for monday

Post by **occasional demons** » Sat Jun 05, 2010 1:23 pm

Welcome long time lurker!

You prolly need a new lock cylinder, and an alternator. Did you try turning the wheel side to side at all to get the ignition to turn back?

If the alternator was charging, it shouldn't have killed the engine by disconnecting the battery. You would have had to pull the coil connector to shut it off.

Also, what year, and ATX or MTX? If it is an ATX, possibly the shift interlock is messed up, not letting you move the key.

Never mind, prolly couldn't bump start it with an ATX, if I understand that part correctly.

If it has SKIM, the lock cylinder could be re pinned to use the current keys.

d0ne420 · Post by **d0ne420** » Sat Jun 05, 2010 1:42 pm

yes its an MTX.. 2003 base model, no options

if i have an alt issue it wouldnt suprise me i do have a somewhat loud system 140.2db loud...

i have been wanting to get an pt-cruiser alt, and i do have an Adam.K alt OD pulley to put on as well

, if i can hold off on the alt no biggie, i just need to be able to get the car started and turning off

the key comes out no problem and i can switch the key from on to off, it just doesnt do anything, like its stuck in the on position...

whats SKIM?...

should i just take it into a shop to get them to fix this or should i be fine wrenchin myself...

Post by **occasional demons** » Sat Jun 05, 2010 2:04 pm

SKIM is the anti theft feature that is built into your car. An '03 definitely has it. If you have another key/lock cylinder installed, you will need to either keep the current key close to the column, or have the new key programmed. If you have two keys then you can program the new key yourself. IIRC there is a sticky on this site on how to do it. So the key doesn't turn to the start position and spring back? If that is the case, the alternator may be fine. I thought it wasn't starting because the battery had lost charge. If you are not comfortable taking the steering column apart, it might be better to take it to a garage.

I haven't personally removed my lock cylinder, so I can't give you any pointers. The cover on the column is just a few screws, and it comes off top and bottom. Other than that, that's all I can give you. Other than removing the cover, and seeing if there is something obvious...
Edit:

BoKu wrote:Just FYI, the ignition switch is held in with security Torx screws, the type with the pin in the middle so that you can't use a regular old Torx driver; you have to get the one with the hole in the end. They looked to be about T10 or T15.

d0ne420 · Post by **d0ne420** » Sat Jun 05, 2010 2:43 pm

well the mech who was at the wedding told me its pretty simple to switch out, i just wanted to have someone else say its not hard

the key springs back from start to the on position but it doesnt cause the car to start, i also cant turn the car off... the key still moves but doesnt affect the on/off...

with the what you have said and with what the other guy said im pretty sure its the ignition switch thing... definetly a wear issue... the lock which is supposed to keep my key from coming out of the keyhole doesnt work anymore and i can pull it out any time...

im gonna go hit up lordco, hopefully they have one in stock, if not then i will call up the local stealership and they had better had one

i have a feeling this fix is gonna be easier than the last thing i had to wrench on so im not too worried... lol... my CAS went on me 2 yrs ago middle of winter with snow falling down and i fixed it with minimal swearing

** also what is the part called or is there a part no.? if not sure the drones at lordco could be able to decippher my car lingo **

Post by **occasional demons** » Sat Jun 05, 2010 3:57 pm

It may just be the electrical part, and not the key cylinder at all. I would say swap the horn relay with the starter relay, but since the engine won't shut off, it is not that.

This is the PN for the ATX switch
4671790AB Ignition switch $28.30 (Electrical part.)

4793576 is the one shown for MTX but it comes up "No Parts Found."

4793576AC is the superseded number same result.

Calling your local dealer may be the best bet. They either just use the ATX switch for both applications, or us MTX ppl are hosed.

d0ne420 · Post by **d0ne420** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 11:30 am

well the 2nd mtx part no is the right one got it yesterday... went and took my old ignition switch out only to find that the switch is fine...

BUT i found what has broken... there is a part(no number on it at all) that is plastic and metal, which connects the key cylinder to the switch, a piece of the metal which goes into the switch has broken not allowing the switch to turn... any idea what this is called?

im on the phone with the dealership as i type, but they cant seem to find it by itself as it appears to only come with a steering column replacement kit...lol... figures and the column replacement kit is over 1000$ guh...

so i am off to the wreckers today to find myself this part i know where the neons are hiding already and it shouldnt take long to pull it...

ahh the joys of owning vehicles