1995 Honda Civic will not stay started!!! help!

1995 HONDA CIVIC
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BDEANE66
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1995 Honda Civic 4 cyl Automatic 150000 miles

the day before xmas i got in my car to leave and when i went to start it it started but when i let go of the key it turned off. it starts on 3 but when it kicks back to two it shuts off. if i hold the key between 2 & 3 it stays started. when i had my friend look at it a couple hours later it started and stayed started like there was no problem... of course. A little while later i got in my car to leave and IT WOULDNT STAY STARTED AGAIN! so i looked in the web everything pointed to the ignition switch, I replaced it and it was fine... so i thought! I took my car 40 miles out of town to turn in job applications I turned off my car to go into the first business and when i came back out my car was doing it again! I sat for two hours having a melt down trying to figure out what the heck to do! I had to wedge a leatherman tool between the steering colume and the dash to hold the key in place all the way home!!

I dont have money to keep replacing parts that dont need to be replaced, nor can i afford a 100.00 diagnostic to pen point the problem

please help any thoughts on what could be the problem would help sooo much! Thanks!
Jan 1, 2010 at 6:12 PM
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F4I_GUY
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Does the key not hold in the key on position? If so, replace the actual mechanical side of the switch, not the electrical portion.
Jan 4, 2010 at 8:55 PM
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BDEANE66
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I replaced the ignition switch just the part the key goes into no wire or anything

When I turn the key to start (3) it starts but when I let go of the key it goes to (2) and turns off

But if I hold the key in place between 3 & 2 it will stay running until I let go of the key and it turns off

I dont know much about cars but isnt it weird that there is a centimeter window between 2 & 3 were if I hold the key in place it will run! even drive!!
Jan 5, 2010 at 2:39 AM
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BDEANE66
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i just got done replacing the electrical side of the ignition switch and it starts and stays started!!
Jan 6, 2010 at 5:29 PM
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