06 Key Issue
 

Hey guys. Finally got my $440 06 ralliart with 168,000 kms on the road after a timing belt, water pump and oil pan install. I still have a few lingering issues i'm working out but the most annoying one is the key.

So, when i go to start the car, turn the key to the on position everything goes on as it should. When i turn it to crank, sometimes it will start and sometimes nothing happens. But if i turn the key back off or leave it "on" and jiggle it, then try to crank, it will crank and run as it should. It seems to be getting worse as i am now driving the car more often.

Is this the ignition switch or lock cylinder? If i do have to change anything, do i have to get the new keys programmed? Are 06 RA keys chipped?

Thanks

I've had this issue for two years now haha. I believe our keys are chipped. As for the lithe question not sure either what it would be exactly.

Thanks for replying! Yesterday i figured out if i push inwards on the key, it starts every time. So far thats been working for me.

Haha that's exactly what i have to do! Guess i should have mentioned that part.

I just ended up with a possible new scenario. Unsure if it's related to the switch or not. But when you can't get your car to start. Does everything just shut off? I'm starting to experience an odd situation where I turn the key to run and literally everything shuts off. If i hold the key in and go to start. The engine fires up with 3-5 seconds. Its odd

This reply may be a little late, but I had similar issues and found that the ignition switch was bad. First I pulled it and cleaned all the contacts and checked the springs, but it didn't do any good. In the end I just put a new switch in and it's been fine since.

actually for me...it was my negative battery terminal lead (Forgive me if it's not the right term). The outside of the metal was perfectly fine, but the inside of it was coated in rust. I attempted to get the inside clean, but ended up just buying a new lead and installing. Haven't had an issue with it in a couple days now.

I even went out and bought a new alternator thinking that was the culprit for the dead battery. Not a huge loss as it was 200K+ on the original alternator.

If you turn your key to the start position, and press hard or jiggle and it starts, it's for sure the ignition switch...very common in these cars, happened to my 03 ES, and is starting to happen on my ralliart.

Loose terminal can act like an ignition switch, but usually with the Lancers you still get accessory power, and it's the start switch that is buggered. With the loose terminal, aside from corrosion building up eventually filling the gap completely, usually both accessory AND start will be intermittent.

Yup this is the issue with mine. I have to either press hard inwards or jiggle it to get it to start. I may go ahead and just replace it, seems like a fairly simple task. Hopefully i can find one.

Cranswick to the rescue! Thanks! I'll have to replace that here shortly as well. Same symptoms. Looks like Rockauto has one for $35 , not bad.

In case anyone else has this issue. Before you buy a new ignition switch, take it apart and clean the connectors. Followed some advice over in the evo forum to do just that. Car fires right up now, no having to push the key in.

I'll see how long this actually lasts though. The hole didn't look too bad, so i feel like it could just be a connection issue.

Good to know...I just replaced the switch on my 03, without a second thought...but now if the ralliart starts to get worse I will look into this ....

Yea the only reason I even tried the suggestion was because the switch I recieved had 6 pins instead of 5. So figured since it's all apart, I might as well give that a shot.

Well, i finally stopped being lazy and ordered a new standard motor products ignition switch for $60 CAD. Swapped it out and my issue is solved. Now the only problem left is to break the habit of pushing the key inwards lol.