93 FOX Ignition help??

[tumba00]

I think I may have ignition trouble. My starter engaged when I was driving the other day & had to replace it. Since then it has tried to engage a few more times but I was able to turn the key off & back on & it stopped.

Yesterday when I was leaving work the dash warning lights were on (as if the key was in the on position with the engine not running) but the key wasn't in the cylinder.

A little more history, at one point the radio would stay on when I would turn the key off which normally it wouldn't. I had to turn the radio off manually, after doing that for a couple months the radio wouldn't come on at all.

Does any off this sound like an ignition switch or key cylinder?

Many thanks in advance!

[renrut]

I have an 89 fox and I had some electrical problems and I started checking my ground wires to the battery holding frame. Alot of the wires were rusted, so all I did was unbolt them then clean the rust off. Then I used some dielectric compound you can get at any automotive store and reattached the wires. After that my electrical problems were gone. Always remember most electrical problems usually are traced back to a bad ground. Just check all wires bolted to the frame and if they look rusted give them a good brushing but also wire brush the contact spot too. It may not be the answer but its always a good starting point. good luck

[boschmann]

Since you've had both the starter and ignition lights come on independently I doubt it's any problem with relays. I'd say you're correct about it being the electrical side of the ignition switch (a fairly common problem on VW's).

[noodle32]

I would also check the amperes of your fuses - if you have too high of fuses put into your car for certain things (like 25 for something that only requires a 10) you're more than likely bound to run into wiring problems - too much current going through a wire is a fire waiting to happen - believe me I've had it happen - plus your components are more likely to break down or malfunction prematurely - fuseboxes are designed with a certain resistance - if this resistance is overwhelming - stuff like that may cause your entire fusebox as well as some possible harnesses to be replaced - which is never any fun I know that your number 12 fuse is responsible for most of the cluster lights on your car - which is also attached to your cold start, ignition, alternator, ignition coil, turn signals, reverse lights, fuel pump and gauge (to name a few) hope this helps!