1990-1993 Acura Integra Bad Ignition Switch Symptoms, Fix
2231992 Acura Integra GS 3 door, 5 speed, non-VTEC, 234,xxx miles
This is a short video showing what a bad ignition switch can do. A lot of times it can be much worse than what happened to me, I have heard of people having to hold the key in certain spots just to keep the car running...I'm glad it didn't get to that point, because I don't know how I'd shift.
Anyway, I basically lost contact in the second position, when the dash lights come on. The first clip shows me trying to start the car several times and when I did finally get dash lights, it went dead when I moved it to turn over the engine. I never did get the dash lights to come back after that video, but I was ready to do the replacement.
Replacing the ignition switch took me about an hour, but I was taking my time, had to keep running inside the house and everything. You need to take off the plastic kick panels & center console, and then the big metal bracket that sits under the driver's side kick panel. You also must remove the two pieces of plastic that cover the ignition behind the steering wheel - and have fun with this, because I can't get the top piece to sit right again. There is a snap ring that's a real bitch.
After you can access the ignition switch, unplug the connector to the fuse box, the connector near that (a bigger one), and then remove the 3 screws on the back of the key cylinder to remove it from there. They are 6mm but you can also unscrew them, it's a bit tricky but you can get them with a socket wrench. Then just plug the new harness into where it all goes and reassemble. I weakened my battery trying to start it and messing around so be aware of that possibility but charging a battery is no big deal. If you need any specific help please ask.
You can get an ignition switch just about anywhere online - I paid like $40 for this one. PLEASE fix it as soon as the problem starts - you don't want to wait until it won't start anymore or you have to hold the key to keep it running.
After this, my car has been running - and starting - perfectly. That was the problem. Now, I have to get ready for snow, do my brakes, etc...I picked up a set of 99-00 Si wheels for winter, they will be Plastidipped hot pink :)
If you have any questions about the 90-93 Integra, please ask, I have been driving them almost exclusively for 11 years straight and this is the fifth one I've owned. I known them inside and out!