I have a 97 SL1 with approximately 180000 miles. Tonight it had difficulty starting. It would turn over then die. I think it has something to do with the ignition, which I think is going out. Even though I take out the key, it dings like I have the key left in the ignition. I'm hoping the starting problem is related to this--have just put off having it looked at as a the dinging doesn't really cause a problem.
Anyone else with problems like this?
Thanks!
BTW, I have been on here before and have been a member for several years but for some reason could not login with my old account info, so I just created a new account. Thanks for all you guys do!

 

Also, BTW, it is a standard transmission, and sometimes I think the starting problem could be in the clutch, not fully disconnecting? (My daughter's been driving this more than me lately--I was able to start it but she wasn't)

 

Here's something to ask your daughter -- has the car been getting poor gas mileage lately? Get back to us on this, you may have more than one problem here ...

 

My 95 does the same thing. I'm pretty sure the ignition switch needs replacing, but hey, it starts and runs great. It dings without the key in it as soon as I open the drivers door. It's like it still thinks the key is in there. I tried replacing the door switch twice and it didn't help at all. A complete waste of time except that I now know how to do it!

 

The mileage isn't as good as when I drove it--she doesn't shift it into 5 around town, and sometimes not even 4--but it still is decent. Nothing that I would call bad mileage. I would get at least 25 mph around town, she seems to get 22 or so. She has driven it a few times since the time it wouldn't start. We will probably get it looked at, but it's hard to describe a problem to the mechanic when it doesn't happen all the time.

 

I personally don't mind the dinging, as I see it as a cheap alarm system. It's usually parked by our bedroom window, so if anyone tried to break into it, we would hear the door ding....(we do have a nice stereo in there.) I was just wondering if it could be connected to the starting problem as well.

 

i believe there is a spring loaded widget in there that can get hung up and sit in the position which is identical to the key being in the ignition. I always envisioned it as some contact closure thing.

 

Maybe some powdered graphite in the keyhole would help. I'm going to try that if I can find some locally in the next few days.

 

sold at lowe's -- ask the guys in the key cutting area

 

Thanks Derf. The kids at Autozone and Advance here have never even heard of it. That's what they get for minimum wage nowadays. Doofus after doofus!