I was under the impression that the ignition switch is something that doesn't gradually wear out over time - it's the type of thing that one day you'll come out to your car and it wont start out of nowhere. is this true? if not, how do you know if your ignition switch is going bad? will it just be difficult to start the car?

 

I suspected mine was going bad because it got to where I had to twist the key hard against the stop before it would activate the starter. I kept saying to myself that it didn't feel right. Sure enough, one day about four months after I first noticed it didn't feel right, it refused to start 80 miles from home. Came back the next day with a truck pulling an axle dolly to drag it home and it started right up. New switch fixed it.

 

too bad you didn't have manual, my switch acts up evey once in a while

 

get a new switch.... its only 30 bucks from the dealer.... dont get stranded somewhere

 

recently read on here that it will cause the security light to come on when it is the switch that is faulty, maybe someone can confirm?

 

^^^^^^no it wont.....

 

werd, thanks for the info, I was curious when I read that........

 

I had the same problem (twist to start) and ask the stealership for a new switch...2xx$ he told me???!!! WTF

 

I began to have a problem starting the car and changed my ignition switch (which is REALLY easy) but if I can add 1 suggestion. Disconnect the battery THEN change the switch. I ended up tripping a fuse and spent $100 to have a mechanic find it and replace a $5 part.

Now that I think about it, I still have the original switch. I think it's still good, but I was not taking any chances. Does anyone want it?

 

autoparts sells for 49.99. Better price than the nissan dealership gave me, $72.xx

bs eh?

 

guys you are all getting ripped of big time.. the switch is $30 at the dealer... just go in there and say that u called another dealer earlier and they told you $30.. .they will give it to you.....

 

you can get them at advanced auto cheap too, mine went really slow just took 5 mins to start the dam car!

 

here's the link peeps:

http://www.courtesyparts.com/Merchan...de=48750-IGNSW

 

How do i change it?

 

thers a How-To change a ignition switch link in the stickies, please read them. Directions are in them

 

Why are you so sure it's the ignition switch? If it's been getting harder to start and one day it didn't start, I'd say it sounds like the starter. Since that exact thing happened to me. (It wouldn't start when the car was hot, but would start just fine when cold)

 

simple if the motor doesnt turn over when u turn the key... its 99% the ignition switch


or ur battery is dead

 

Well... like I said, the exact thing happened to me. I went out to start my car and when I turned the key it went "click" and nothing happened. It had been getting harder and harder to start (cranking slower). I thought it was the battery, but It turned out to be the starter. two of the brushes had worn down to almost nothing. I'm just saying... if the problem got gradually worse, and one day nothing happened when you turned the key... don't rule out the starter. (assuming you know the battery is ok too)

 

i've been having to turn my key real hard for the past two years for it to start...

 

this has happened to me! just ordered the new switch, now looking for the write up..

 

its not the starter..... if it clicks and nothing happens then yea... if he jiggles the key in the cylinder and it starts its the ignition switch....

 

same happended to me, when i would attempt to start it, i would hear CLICK. then after jiggling the key for about 15 mins, with my fingers burning along with the key, it starts. Than i stopped driving my maxima for 2 months and decided to go on .org and then this site brought life back to me and my maxima. Felt weird on the start of thee new switch, it was just weird since i got used to jiggling.