1991 Plymouth Acclaim ignition

1991 PLYMOUTH ACCLAIM

156,000 MILES • 1.4L • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC

BLUEFIRE05

MEMBER
1 POST

When I turn the car on I have to turn the key back a little bit to make the heater turn on or else it doesn't work and now its not working at all.I haven't torn anything apart yet is it possible its the ignition switch or could it be a wire problem?

Dec 26, 2013 at 2:15 PM

WRENCHTECH

✓ASE Certified Mechanic
20,761 POSTS

Sounds like you may have a bad ignition switch.

Dec 26, 2013 at 3:23 PM

CARADIODOC

✓ASE Certified Mechanic
34,321 POSTS

The ignition switch is a common item, but you also have to look at the terminals are wires. If two terminals are blackened and overheated, the plastic connector body will be melted too. You'll need to replace about 4" of those two wires because they'll be hardened and solder won't adhere. Be sure to seal the connections with heat-shrink tubing. Never use electrical tape because it will unravel into a gooey mess on a hot day. You can cut the terminals out and install two crimp-on terminals, but solder them too, then plug them in individually where you cut the plastic away.

If you don't replace blackened terminals, they are going to create a high-resistance connection. Those will develop heat which will migrate into the new switch and cause the same problem you have now.

Dec 26, 2013 at 3:26 PM

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