97 regal ignition switch

[caddiali]

hey all

What causes an IGNITION SWITCH to fail?? It was working fine, car has only 146kms. Went to start the car one day and no start up dash lights only PRNDL lighted up. Tried about 5-6 times before it worked. Before that however i was having difficulty with my left turn signal, as it was blinking rapidly. Sometimes the car would stall when i put the right signal on. Mechanic determined it to be the wrong bulb type cause it didn't have the grey plastic by the contact points. Strange cause the bulb was in for 4 months (bought from Canadian Tire, as per owners manual.) and NEVER gave any trouble.

Anyway the ignition switch costed me almost $330 for the part and another $180 for 3hrs labour. Could the turn signal have cause the computer to short circuit?

comments, ideas and suggestions always appreciated

[BNaylor]

I don't believe the turn signal problem caused the PCM to short out. What happens is the short may load down or affect the 12v needed for the ignition and fuel pump circuits. The turn signal multifunction switch in turn gets its 12v from the ignition switch.

Are you still having problems or is it fixed.

[caddiali]

thanks for the reply!!

No problems..got new ignition switch installed, (after leaving the Regal overnight). Starts everytime now, but at the cost of an arm!! LOL.

Ya i just found it strange that right after he changed the bulb and the car signalled back to normal, the ignition switch decided to act up. Never had trouble with it before. But i do remember reading a post that ignition switches are common trouble on Regals.