Cold Weather -Honda 1990 Question

Hello

I have recently observed a weird behavior my car does and is happening
only in Cold when the temperature is below 20F or so... Problem occurs
only when (I have to run short errands) My 1990 Honda Civic car is not
fully warm enough.
In this condition, when the car is not fully warm / or engine has not
been running for v.long time when put the CAR in Park mode, my Key from
the ignition does not come out. Earlier I thought this was stuck due
to freeze and there for I purchased several liquid sprays that would
help de -freeze the key, so that it comes off easily from ignition.
But apparently I was wrong here because Key still never came off, with
Car in Park mode.
Closer observation showed me that actually When car was brought in
Park mode the Par Light on the display never turned ON. After waiting
inside the parked Car for roughly 25min or so when Car was fully warm
enough I saw Park light turn ON and immediately Car keys from ignition
released and came off.

Does any one know what actually is happening and what possible
symptoms my car is exhibiting

Thanks
Foz_m

 

For a 1990 Honda I'd start by paying $6 or so for a new key
from your Honda dealer. They will cut it precisely.

I replaced the original key for my 1991 Civic last month,
because the old one was sticking, and folks here had said
new keys make a difference. They do. Problem solved.

 

There's a shift position switch assembly located in the housing for the gear
shift selector (just under the plastic cover in the center console). It's
my guess that this switch is sticking in cold weather. You might be able to
free it up by cleaning and lubricating it. Try contact cleaner followed by
a silicone grease or silicone spray lubricant. Conversely, if the switch
can't be lubricated, then it might need to be replaced.

Eric

 

Thanks Elle
I have made 3 nnew keys and all do the same. I am pretty sure its not
my old or new keys

 

Eric
Thanks a lot. I think your guess is closest to the problem I am having
.. I will try your suggestion and let you know how things go. Once again
thanks a lot to drop a line.

 

------------------------------------

Eric is close. The linkage that shifts your automatic tranny into Park
is out of adjustment a bit, and so it won't let the key lock solenoid
get past it when the sucker's cold. You might even have an access hatch
on the left side of your steering wheel cover, above the lever that sets
the steering wheel angle. One screw. I won't try to tell you how to fix
it, since it should be done by a pro. Anybody who has worked on Hondas
can set it up for you. Should take ten minutes.

OTOH, you should make sure that the lube you sprayed into your ignition
lock has some graphite, or at least Teflon. Lock-Ease is hard to find,
but it's the BEST. Try locksmiths. Some sprays flush out all the
lubrication. Don't use anything dino-based.

'Curly'

 

Where would this switch be located at? I will try to lubricate it first
or get it replaced. Seems like its pretty simple. However I was quoted
by few auto shops as $100 per 60 min to fix this problem. Therefore I
may not take my Car to auto shop unless I really can't fix it. But any
more detailed description and procedure to 1) First check and Confirm
if the problem exists in the switch would be my first step to.

I would highly appreciate it if you can explain me the (1) step to
confirm the issue is true or not

Foz_m

 

1) Remove the console cover (on the shift console)
2) Release the two bolts holding the switch and slide
the switch back and forth until the P lights up.

 

-------------------------

You need to adjust the 'effective length' of the cable. Don't attempt to
make the indicator light work by changing the way the switch works (it's
on the side of the tranny anyhow).

If my scanner was working, I'd send you the pages from a cR-V manual.
Any tech that's worked on hondas will know how to do that adjustment.
It's inside the plastic cover that's held on with one screw, beside the
steering wheel tilt lever.

There's a link to a Honda manual you can find if you search this NG.
Somebody will share it.

'Curly'

 

I believe you're referring to the cable type interlock. Logically, if the P lights
up and the key comes out then this sounds like the console switch.

The 90 Civic probably uses an electronic system thus when the P
lights up he can shift. Practically, I'd didn't like the idea that my 92 Civic
had to be in park to get the key out. I snip a wire in the ignition
assembly - disabling the solenoid.