Ignition Issue

1997 ACURA RL
147,000 MILES
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ROBNLOIS
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Turn the key and dashboard lights dont light. jiggle the key about 100 times and wait for the moment it stays in the right position and the dash lights light then turn the key to start the car. Key seems a little hard to turn back when turning car off. Really need to have the touch to get the ignition it the just right position to start the car. I can stsrt the car and hold the key in just the right spot an drive that way as long I have someone with me to shift the car from park to drive. . .
Help please as my mechanic believes its the ignition switch a part that costs $750 to 900 dollars I do see some used ignition switches online much cheaper but how do I know if it is the correct part?
Can a locksmith repair the the ignition switsch if I have it removed as my mechanics thinks there is a spring no working correctly to hold the key in the correct position to start the car?
Aug 30, 2011 at 7:42 PM
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RASMATAZ
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Sounds more like the ignition switch cylinder lock problem-
Aug 30, 2011 at 8:14 PM
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JDL
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I agree with Raz, that lock cylinder is pricey. The cheapest I saw was around 238 dollars not including tax. I don't know about a used switch? How do you know it will even work and for how long?
Aug 30, 2011 at 8:20 PM
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ROBNLOIS
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JDL
Where did you see it for $238.00?
And what is the part number I want to be sure to get the correct part?
Aug 30, 2011 at 8:30 PM
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KHLOW2008
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Not the lock, just the ignition switch electrical portion. It should not be as expensive as that.
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Aug 30, 2011 at 8:45 PM
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KHLOW2008
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A close up of the part
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Aug 30, 2011 at 8:46 PM
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ROBNLOIS
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KLHow2008
WHY DO YOU THINK IT IS THE IGNITION SWITCH AND NOT THE LOCK CYLINDER
THAT WOULD BE GREAT BUIT I JUST WANT TO BE SURE AND NOT BUY SOMETHING THAT IS NOT GOING TO SOLVE MY ISSUE
THANK YOU
Aug 30, 2011 at 10:37 PM
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JDL
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The parts I looked at are at rockauto.com

The cheapest parts are usually not the best. The one khlow2008 pictured is far less, not oem. Around 20 bucks.
Aug 31, 2011 at 12:37 AM
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ROBNLOIS
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JDL
What is the part number on rockauto.com for the part needed?
Aug 31, 2011 at 12:59 AM
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JDL
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Go to the site, it will ask for year--make--model, follow the links. CLick on electrical switches. Rockauto calls it, ignition starter switch. That is cheaper than the lock cylinder by far. At the moment, I can't tell you which part is faulty? Note the picture below.
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Aug 31, 2011 at 1:18 AM
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KHLOW2008
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The ignition lock does not affect the dash lights, unless it cannot be turned. The electricals are controlled by the switch which tends to fail over time and are a known issue for certain tear models.

You mentioned the key seems to be stiff at times and that could be due to either of the above parts and unless you wish to replace both, if not I would suggest with the electrical part first. Replacing the lock wuold mean changint the keys as well.

JDL is correct about OEM and non-OEM. The quality is different.
Aug 31, 2011 at 5:46 AM