I wonder if those of you who know about cars can help me here. We are so desperately broke and need to remedy this problem for the lowest cost possible.
My 2003 Honda Odyssey van is having problems with the ignition switch. Many times I can just insert the key & easily turn it on, or easily turn it off & remove the key. But every 5-10 times (seems to be happening with increasing frequency) the key gets stuck in there, or it is very difficult to turn on. When that happens I have to twiddle & fiddle with it, praying & pleading, and after about 5 minutes or so finally get the ignition to turn on. Sometimes when the key is stuck after turning the van off I can wriggle it a bit and pull the key out, but it hasn't turned all the way off (the door buzzer beeps when opened, as if it senses that the key is still in there).
A friend who works on cars says that I need to replace the ignition switch, and on that vehicle involves replacing a whole big part that includes the switch. And that he couldn't buy & replace that part for me in my driveway, that I need to have it done at the Honda dealership so they can also re-program the invisible computer chip that's in my key.
Do you agree? Or is there an easier way to remedy this? Preferably using something like WD-40, duct tape, & zip ties. This is our family's only vehicle, and we live in a semi-rural area miles away from town, with no public transportation available as an alternative. I fear getting stuck somewhere, unable to re-start the van again. Please let me know what you think should be done. Thank you!
My 2003 Honda Odyssey van is having problems with the ignition switch. Many times I can just insert the key & easily turn it on, or easily turn it off & remove the key. But every 5-10 times (seems to be happening with increasing frequency) the key gets stuck in there, or it is very difficult to turn on. When that happens I have to twiddle & fiddle with it, praying & pleading, and after about 5 minutes or so finally get the ignition to turn on. Sometimes when the key is stuck after turning the van off I can wriggle it a bit and pull the key out, but it hasn't turned all the way off (the door buzzer beeps when opened, as if it senses that the key is still in there).
A friend who works on cars says that I need to replace the ignition switch, and on that vehicle involves replacing a whole big part that includes the switch. And that he couldn't buy & replace that part for me in my driveway, that I need to have it done at the Honda dealership so they can also re-program the invisible computer chip that's in my key.
Do you agree? Or is there an easier way to remedy this? Preferably using something like WD-40, duct tape, & zip ties. This is our family's only vehicle, and we live in a semi-rural area miles away from town, with no public transportation available as an alternative. I fear getting stuck somewhere, unable to re-start the van again. Please let me know what you think should be done. Thank you!
