1. Home
  2. Honda Cars and Trucks
  3. 91 heater and radio problem

91 heater and radio problem

Hi Folks, I own a 91 Honda wagon with a 1.5 liter motor and over 235k miles on it . Last night on the way home from work I had to stop off to the bank and when I came out and started the car again something really strange occured .Follw me on this please I know it sounds long winded but I need to explain and describe this so I can get a possible diagnosis from the Honda Gurus here in the group! I got in the car and turned the key to the part past accessory where the heater kicks on and dummy lights etc come on .But when I go past that part where you engage the starter and start the the car the heater nor the radio will work,everything else was in good working order . The part I don't understand is that heater won't run when the car is running only when the key is in the mode before you engage the starter(I don't know what that part is called).Any ideas ? Alternator perhaps? The lights were not dimmed or anything..... Thanks in Advance, Will

Reply to
ahso#1
Loading thread data ...

It sound like you may need a new ignition switch (the thing you put the keys in to start the car).

Jeff

Reply to
Jeff

Someone elses suggested it may be a ground problem,what think you ,Jeff? I got a price on a stater switch and it was @ 65.98 US , a little salty a price for something that may or may not be .I will exhaust all possibilities before I go that route .Thanks again, Will

Reply to
ahso#1

You are going to have to get an electrical diagram for the car and trace it out. Check your local library for service manuals.

Reply to
Woody

Dumb question but is there anywhere online I can get it in maybe a PDF file?

Reply to
ahso#1

As Woody suggests, you should diagnose this before replacing stuff. It could be a ground problem or a bunch of other problems.

Alternatively, just keep the key in the start position as you drive down the road. ;-)

Jeff

Reply to
Jeff

Well to update you on the problem now theater does not work at all even when the key is in said position so now I have to do some more process of elimination .I really need a heater not just for comfort but to keep the friggin' Pennsylvania freezing rain from sticking to my winshield .Ahhh winter , ya gotta love it .

Reply to
ahso#1

--------------------------------

Honda recalled a billion ignition switched in North America a few years ago. Yours is of similar design and I have a friend who had the same problem. It's the _switch_, not the LOCK (the part you put the key into). Tegger.com has the recall in the TSB section. Search it out. It even tells you how it's changed, although your car may be slightly different.

'Curly'

Reply to
'Curly Q. Links'

Ok not to be totally rediculous on this as I am a novice when it comes to this ,how do I substantuate between the switch and the lock ? My apologies on this I'm kinda a newbie .I was thinking of just wiring the heater with a high amperage toggle switch and by passing the control system ......a little unorthodox but it gets the job done ....

Reply to
ahso#1

-----------------------------

formatting link
has part numbers and diagrams.

What if a policeman pulls you over and asks why your wipers aren't working, or your HORN, or something else we're all REQUIRED to have on our vehicles.

If you can't afford to fix it, please don't drive it.

'Curly'

Reply to
motsco_

Is a heater a REQUIRED item?

Are you sure?

Reply to
Dan C

formatting link
Login-lib PWD-access

Try the database for auto repair....drill down to your year and model and it may have the info you need.

Reply to
L Alpert

Depends on the outside temperature...

IMO, yes! ;-)

Reply to
L Alpert

Ok if the bypass affects the other required functions like horn,wipers,etc then yeah I suppose I'll have no other choice .BTW as an update I got in my car this morning about 20 minutes ago and started the car up and the heater kicked on .Can you say intermittent? 'splain that one,Lucy :)

Reply to
ahso#1

I can explain it.

The car is 17 years old. These kind of things happen on cars that old. Get rid of that POS and get something newer. Problem solved.

Reply to
Dan C

Right now the family and I are in a cash crunch so till that issue is resolved I guess I gots to do what I gots to do .

Reply to
ahso#1

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.