1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement Guide ID: 3285 - Draft: 2015-02-02

1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch

Replacement
Replace your Accord's ignition switch.

Written By: Miroslav Djuric

This document was generated on 2019-09-20 07:36:17 AM (MST).

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1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement Guide ID: 3285 - Draft: 2015-02-02

INTRODUCTION

I originally posted this writeup on Honda-Tech forums but have migrated it here since I could better
explain the procedure.

(Higher-resolution images help as well.)

A couple of years ago my 1998 Honda Accord Dx started shutting itself off at random times -- on
freeway onramps, while parked and idling, etc. -- so I did some research and found that the electrical
portion of the ignition switch had been recalled. I called up Honda of America and found that my car
had already been serviced for this recall, meaning I was on my own to fix this problem.

So I did some more research on the internet to verify that the ignition switch was indeed the problem.
At that point I had two choices: I could pay the dealer $100 for them to figure out the problem, and
*possibly* honor the recall a second time(provided they found the problem in the first place). Or I
could buy the part for $61 and do the repair myself. I chose the latter since I really want to learn
about cars as much as possible, and I will be assured that the job was done properly (or at least
learn from my mistakes ).

DISCLAIMER: This posting is for educational purposes only, and I take no responsibility for your
actions. You can't blame me if your car blows up or if your airbag deploys, or for any other reason
whatsoever. Perform this repair at your own risk.

TOOLS:
10mm Wrench (1)
Electrical Tape in 6 Assorted Colors (1)
Flathead Screwdriver (1)
Digital Multimeter (1)
Phillips #1 Screwdriver (1)

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1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement Guide ID: 3285 - Draft: 2015-02-02

Step 1 — Ignition Switch

 The tools and materials you will

need:
 10 mm Wrench

 Phillips Screwdriver

 Flathead Screwdriver

 Electrical Tape

 Multimeter (not shown)

 Electrical portion of the Honda

Accord ignition switch

Step 2

 Disconnect the battery. This is

especially important because you're
going to be working near the airbag.

 Do not touch any yellow wires under

the dash -- they're for the airbag (or
so I've heard).

 As you can see, I keep my battery in

tip-top shape. The grime acts as a
blanket layer of protection against
the elements.

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1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement Guide ID: 3285 - Draft: 2015-02-02

Step 3

 Remove the driver's side fuse panel

cover.

Step 4

 Remove the two Phillips retaining screws that hold the driver's side lower panel to the dash.

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1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement Guide ID: 3285 - Draft: 2015-02-02

Step 5

 Use a flathead screwdriver to pry off the left side of the panel immediately below the radio
surround.

Step 6

 Remove the last Phillips screw

securing the right side of the driver's
side lower panel.

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1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement Guide ID: 3285 - Draft: 2015-02-02

Step 7

 Now the driver's side lower panel can be removed. Begin on the left side and gently pull it off, so
that all of the retaining clips are released.

Step 8

 The ignition switch can now be

unplugged for testing. The switch
connects to the rear of the driver's
side fuse panel. Shine a flashlight
and find the connector highlighted in
red.

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1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement Guide ID: 3285 - Draft: 2015-02-02

Step 9

 Users are reporting a variation of the ignition switch positions on the pictured diagram that
corresponds to these numbers:
 LOCK: All Open | ACC: 1 + 5 | ON: 1+3+4+5 | START 1+2+3

 Now it's testing time. The key should be placed into the ignition switch and turned to the
appropriate position; you should test for continuity between each of the points as outlined in the
guide.

 I want to mention that this testing should be performed as thoroughly as possible, since the switch
may appear to be fine at first. I got lucky in the sense that the switch immediately failed one of the
tests. The best way to test the switch is to plug in the multimeter leads into the 1 and 4 terminals,
and then to cycle between "On" and "Start." Eventually the multimeter should read "no continuity"
in the "On" position, indicating that the switch is bad.

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1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement Guide ID: 3285 - Draft: 2015-02-02

Step 10

 Of course proceed at this point only

if the switch failed one of the
continuity tests. Also, make sure that
the ignition switch is in the "Lock"
position before proceeding any
further.

 Lower the steering wheel adjustment

lever all the way down.

Step 11

 Remove the three Phillips screws on the lower steering column cover.

 Pop the lower steering column cover off the top cover, giving you access to the electrical portion of
the ignition switch.

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1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement Guide ID: 3285 - Draft: 2015-02-02

Step 12

 While in the general ignition switch

area, make sure not to touch the
steering column adjustment grease.
I found it to be very greasy, as
grease should be.

Step 13

 Unscrew the two Phillips screws that hold the ignition switch cover (and switch itself) in place.

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1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement Guide ID: 3285 - Draft: 2015-02-02

Step 14

 The cover should be loose on the

switch, however there is another
screw holding it in place behind the
steering wheel.

 I found this screw by feeling around

for it after realizing the cover was
still held in place by something. It
was not completely necessary to
remove this screw to replace the
switch, so I'll leave it up to you
whether or not you want to remove
it. The screw is in such a difficult
place that I figured it would be
harder to screw it back in place after
removing it than just bending the
ignition switch cover backwards and
removing the switch.

 Other users have partially broken

the cover since they did not fully
remove the third screw. You've been
warned.

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1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement Guide ID: 3285 - Draft: 2015-02-02

Step 15

 Gently rotate the black cover aside

and pull out the ignition switch.

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1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement Guide ID: 3285 - Draft: 2015-02-02

Step 16

 At this point you can test the new

switch for continuity, just to make
sure it's 100% functional before
putting it into the car. Follow the
same steps outlined in step #7
except use the flat blade screwdriver
to switch between ignition positions.
You'll notice that the switch clicks
just like it does when you insert your
key into the steering column ignition.
If the continuity tests pass, you can
proceed with installing it into your
car.

 Once you remove the old switch

from its cover, plug in the new
switch connector into the rear of the
fuse panel and connect the other
side to the steering column.

 Make sure that the new switch is

in the "Lock" position. To make
sure it is in the "Lock" position, use
the flat blade screwdriver to gently
twist the switch counter-clockwise
until it will twist no more, ensuring
that the switch is in the "Lock"
position.

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 1998-2002 Honda Accord Ignition Switch Replacement Guide ID: 3285 - Draft: 2015-02-02

Step 17

 Route the wiring in the same manner the old switch wiring was routed, insert the switch into the
steering column, and put back the ignition switch cover and screws.

 Use the electrical tape to corral any of the loose wiring. Put all paneling back the way it was by
following the above directions in reverse. Make sure that the rubber O-ring around the ignition
switch is properly seated against the switch when putting back the lower steering wheel cover.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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