volvodude

Hi,

I have an 1998 ES300. I think the ignition switch is going bad. Never had one go bad on any of my other cars so this is new to me.

What happens is, I go to turn the key, it turns, but nothing happens, the lights on the dash turn on, but car doesn't start or turn over. I try turning the key a couple more times, then out of the blue it will just start. This is intermittent. Then today, I go to start my car and nothing happens no matter how many times I turn the key, I figured it was finally busted. But, I noticed that if I turn the key only part way rather than all the way the car starts.

Is this the ignition switch? Is this easy to fix? Would this be the correct part to order?
http://toyotapartsestore.com/1998-to...45012200-item/

Thank you.

808mcv20l

try wiggling the key when turning it to see if it will start up.

But that sounds strange to me that the lights on the dash would turn on if the ignition switch is bad. I suppose certain contacts could be bad, no way of really knowing without pulling it out.

Other thing it could be is the starter itself, the contacts and the plunger are the usual culprits for these Denso starters, they sell rebuild kits you can buy to replace it rather than buying a whole new starter.

LeX2K

Clean your battery posts and terminals, don't assume they are fine. If that doesn't help then the neutral safety switch may need cleaning it will cause the symptoms you are having. A quick test is put the car in neutral instead of park and try starting the engine, if it starts the switch is very likely in need of cleaning. This involves removing the switch, disassembling it to clean out all the grease, sanding the copper terminals, repack with dielectric grease.

volvodude

Hi,

Thank you for all your replies.

I think Lexus2000 might have hit the nail in the head.

A couple of times when I was having issues starting the car I put it in neutral and it started right up! I will continue to try this over the weekend, but it does seems that the neutral safety switch is the issue...Where is this switch (sensor) located? Is it part of the Ignition switch? I never had to deal with this sort of issue before, so I'm not familiar.

Cheers!

mmatheny

The switch could also be out of adjustment - i.e. it makes contact in neutral, but not in park.

LeX2K

Front of the transmission look directly under the battery you'll see it.



I can't stress this enough, if the nut which holds the arm to the switch doesn't want to come off easily then spray it down with penetrating oil several times over the course 1-2 hours. If you break that shaft off you'll be disassembling the transmission.

To get to the switch remove the cruse control unit, the battery and a few other things. The hardest part is pulling the switch forward it likes to stick on the transmission shaft. Here's a thread on removing and cleaning the switch the pictures are of a 4-clyinder Camry but the procedure is basically the same.

I sand the contacts with 400 grit paper.