So heres the issue including back story... So my car started doing to whole click no start when turning the key... i noticed that my ignition switch(electrical end) was lose and when i would push up on it, it would make contact and be able to start, tightened it up and click problem went away, over time switch got lose again and i didnt have time to re-tighten it again and would just hold it up so it could start (people would look at me funny while doing this and i just tell em its my personal antitheft). So yesterday a buddy of mine borrowed my car in the morning to run to the store and when he got home left the lights on... so went to jump the car and as usual did the click problem, but when i pushed it up and turned key the switch turned red on the inside and started smoking. I freaked out pulled the key off and took apart the switch cleaned the contacts re connected it and did the same thing... i then disconnected my greddy turbo timer harness plugged the ignition switch back and to the stock harness and it did the same thing... i search the forums for similar posts but nothing, im going over my wire diagrams at the moment so i could trace some wires, a black wire with a green trace and a black wire with a blue trace. but i thought id make a post to see if anyone had some helpfull advice.

tl:dr - 94 auto fd ignition caught on fire need help troubleshooting

 

Time to replace the ignition switch. It's actually really easy to replace, it's just a module that attaches to the back of the key cylinder. New they're around $100ish if I remember, you can also pick one up used for a fair price.

You don't have to mess with the key cylinder at all, just the plastic piece that connects to the end of the cylinder. It's like a 10 minute job to swap out.

Dale

 

but what would cause that? I dont want to replace the switch and have that burn out if its an external problem ya know?

 

Get in there and get your hands dirty. The problem should be evident--- ie a short, burned wires etc.

 

Well I just started having a massive voltage drop problem when the car was running or key to on position. I removed my ignition switch "module" (plastic piece, NOT the lock cylinder) and looks like one of the terminals (black/green stripe wire.. this comes from X-02 fuse block which is fed by the battery). was cooked! The plastic even melted slightly on the switch side. I'll take some pics later tonight when I get home.

 

If high-current really goes into that switch, IMHO, it's a prime candidate for a remote 70-amp Hella relay, or at least a circuit-breaker/fuse/fusible-link.

:-) neil