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Topic
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95 accord – manual transmission
In the last month of so my ignition switch has started to feel like it has peanut butter in it when I turn the car off (feels fine on start). In the last week, I’ve had the battery light come on intermittently, but it goes off. Bought a new alternator but haven’t yet installed. Then today the car wouldn’t start. Jump started it, but now I’m not sure if it worked because of the jump or that was just random luck. I had a similar problem a few months ago when a couple of key turns got it going no problem. Today, when I got the car home, it started no problem. When it starts, it’s always immediate.
Since this is an intermittent problem, I’m not sure where to start, and I may have more than one problem (350,000 miles on the alternator. ignition switch has been replaced once in that time). Could the charging issue not be an alternator problem and might it all be the ignition switch?
Ideas?
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With the car running, check the battery terminals with a voltage meter. If it is charging at 14.2 volts the alternator is doing it’s job. If not replace that alternator. Go to the auto parts store have them check the battery to see if it is good or holding a charge. If both checks out then check main battery ground. Might be loose and that’s why your getting intermittent problems. 350 thousand miles is a whole lot on an alternator. Get an OEM one with lower millage from a junk yard. Cheaper and it will last too. search used parts.com for locations in your area that has one, if not another can ship you the part. A bad ignition switch will cause your car to all of a sudden stall driving down the road. Very dangerous. Replace that switch ASAP if that’s the case.
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