Ignition switch problem

Tiny
BEVERLY MAYNARD
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 3.4L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
I came to a thought that my ignition switch is bad. Can you tell me if the starter still turns over after I let go of the key is what is making my car run bad and hard to start? Benjamin
Sunday, October 8th, 2017 AT 2:19 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,003 POSTS
Nope. That is actually designed to do that. The ignition switch tells the BCM "Hey I want to start the engine" The BCM then turns on a timer, it will activate the starter motor and keep it activated until the engine starts OR it times out. Most people do not notice it until something starts making the engine start hard or not start at all. Then suddenly they hear the starter keep turning even though they have released the key.

Most likely you need to have some tune up type work done like cleaning the throttle body and changing the plugs to get it to start faster and run better.

When you say it runs bad can you describe it or take a video and post it here?
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Monday, October 9th, 2017 AT 6:39 PM
Tiny
BEVERLY MAYNARD
  • MEMBER
  • 31 POSTS
When I started on this I put on a fuel filter, fuel pump, EGR valve, oxygen sensor, a new MAF sensor, fuel pressure regulator, but it act's like it is missing. I had my step son who is a ASE mechanic he dose not know what is wrong. I will change the plugs and wires see if that help's. Thank you for your help. Benjamin
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Tuesday, October 10th, 2017 AT 1:58 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,003 POSTS
Do the plugs and wires, if the mileage is correct they are probably worn out. Next run some seafoam through it to clean out the injectors. I would also put a scan tool on it that can read the misfire counters, that would tell you real quick if it was missing and on what cylinder(s)
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Wednesday, October 11th, 2017 AT 12:27 PM
Tiny
BEVERLY MAYNARD
  • MEMBER
  • 31 POSTS
Autozone gave me a code that said lean on bank one and vacuum leak the intake was sucking air took it off new gasket but it still ran bad but I went and got plugs and wires today home that;s it thank BENJAMIN
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Wednesday, October 11th, 2017 AT 3:51 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,003 POSTS
Intake leak will cause a lot of problems. Any air that gets into the engine without going through the metering system will cause problems.
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Thursday, October 12th, 2017 AT 2:00 AM
Tiny
BEVERLY MAYNARD
  • MEMBER
  • 31 POSTS
Well the plugs and wire help a little but you can look in the tail pipe it's sputtering when I turn my ac off it idles real low turn it back on it idles up I hear a hissing sound but it may be the egr valve doing that or it may be the injectors ill get the seafoam and try that thank you for your help BENJAMIN
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Thursday, October 12th, 2017 AT 12:16 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,003 POSTS
You might want to clean the throttle body as well. That can cause idle issues if it is all carboned up.
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Thursday, October 12th, 2017 AT 12:20 PM

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