Q: Ignition locked in start position after car would turn over but not start

asked by on February 18, 2017

My 1991 Honda Accord EX ignition is stuck in start! I cannot move the key back to the I or O position. I eventually had to disconnect the battery to turn the car off. After the ignition got stuck it started up again one time and drove for about 15 miles we got out and walked around and came back but the car would not start. It turns over but then there is a knocking noise. We tried tapping the starter, putting gas in, and checked all the relays

My car has 140000 miles.
My car has a manual transmission.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Convertible not working.
Hi. If your top will not longer move up or down it can be from a number of items in the system from a fuse, to a wiring issue, to the lift motor. The most common part that I have...
How do I access the vanity mirrors?
The vanity mirrors are located on the sun visors. To access the mirrors, fold down the sun visors, and pull up on the mirror cover, which is on the opened face of the visor.
Gauges don't work
Hello. There are a few reasons for the gauges not working. I would start by checking the fuses. If the fuses check out, then the grounds should be looked at. There is the connection at the battery and another under...
Engine shaking when idling
The light on the dashboard may be for the traction control system, which is affected by the drive by wire throttle body on your vehicle. Have a trained technician, such as those at YourMechanic, scan the vehicle for fault codes,...
Intermittent issue with the brakes slipping
The problem may be due to the ABS engaging and seeming like the brakes are releasing in the front. If you have a defective wheel sensor in the front, then this can cause this. The wheel that has a bad...
Will not accelerate beyond 65 mph
All vehicles have serviceable fuel filters, in fact your vehicle has 4 or more such filters. That is, EACH fuel injector has its own miniature filter basket so there are 4 potentially pluggable filters right there. There are some obvious...
it has a misfire when at slow speed
An ignition system problem is one of the most common reasons for an engine to misfire. As the spark plugs, ignition cables, distributor cap and rotor, and ignition coil wear over time, their ability to transfer the needed spark to...
I hit something last night and smell gas in the car - is it my gas pump or something else?
Hi there. In most cases, a fuel leak after hitting an object may be caused by a ruptured fuel line, the fuel cell being damaged, or it could be caused by the fuel pump that is damaged. If you've booked...
Check Engine Light On
Hello, thank you for writing in. There are several reasons the EVAP canister would develop a leak, but an accident is absolutely capable of causing it. Unfortunately the more compact a car gets, the more difficult some of these components...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a Dog Trainer
If If you are a dog trainer, you expect a lot from your vehicle. You want a ride that is safe, roomy, and of course, dog friendly, since your training operation will often mean that you need to transport the...
The Best Used Cars to Buy for Dog Owners
Dog Dog owners are a special breed of drivers. When they shop for a used car they have a list of requirements that can be quite different from other drivers, which tends to make the process a bit of a...
Top Automotive News & Stories: September 24-September 30
Angry Civic Type R, 350 special edition Ferraris, Infiniti variable compression tech, Mercedes' electric future, and more.