A few '91 LX questions

[ozzfreak]

This car has been pretty decent for me since I got it this year. But things are slowly starting to show up, that didn't before. One thing is the ignition switch. If it's below 40 degrees, I can start it, and turn it off, but cannot take the key out without fighting it for 10 minutes. Once the inside warms up, there is no problem getting it out. Is there a way to fix this without buying a new switch? My last car I tried replacing it, and never could get the new one to install. Had to go back with the old one.

This has the lock on the gear shift to where you have to press the brake to get out of park. When the temp gets below freezing, it doesn't like to work. Can this be disabled to work no matter if the brake is on or not?

And last, would shocks make a pop sound upon accelleration, especially when cold, if they were bad?? This just started recently, and with nobody to help me bounce the car while i'm under it, it's kinda hard for me to figure it out. It's only happening on the drivers side in the front. But it's getting annoying to say the least.

[FrodoGT]

Probably your ball joints popping. As for the key, they tend to get stuck in winter time. You could try spraying some graphite lubricant into the hole, or possibly white lithium grease, but it is a little messier.

[ozzfreak]

I'll try the graphite. Any suggestion on disabling that lock on the gear shift? Nothing more annoying than starting your car, and not being able to drive off, haha.

[Christ]

Remove your center console, you'll see the interlock... remove it, but leave it hooked up.

Not to hijack, but it's relevant... I've changed my axles 3 times, and I still get clicks when turning, but no other time... could ball joints or tie rod ends cause this? It's never a steady constant click, always like click,click,click....click....click... then I'm done cornering...

[FrodoGT]

Tie rods possibly, or wheel bearings.

[ozzfreak]

alright, thanks everyone.

[dwbailey]

I had a popping sound in mine and thought it was balljoints. I had replaced the upper control arms with some that I got off of eBay and in less than a year the bushings broke loose in the control arm and were moving around in it. That was the popping sound. Put some good ones in and walla! Popping sound gone.

[zerojett]

mine would click when i turned for a while too...
i found out it was a CV joint and a weak axle.
as for the lock thing... i had that issue on my hatch when i had an automatic.
i just got another key cut, and used that in the winter. worked perfectly.