94 pathy jiggle to start.. mechanics out there HELP!

[joeylea]

Ok, so i read "won't start clicking noise" thread and I'm asking for more info/help
(being female and all )

here's my story:
Thanks for your help

Quote:
Originally Posted by fishes
OK
My 1994 XE manual trans had the common starting problem. I would turn the key and it made a clicking noise but wouldn't turn over. I'd turn the key a few times and then it would catch and run fine. I tested the battery and alternator, both fine. I cleaned all the corrosion off the battery and replaced the corroded negative terminal, but this didn't help. I was about to replace the starter, but then I realized I was too lazy to do that.


Ok... now I know this is an old post , but I have a few questions and I'm hoping someone cant help. When I read this thread it was like reading my own situation with my 1994 XE manual trans Pathfinder.
I wiggle key, makes clicking noise ... keep wiggleing (& praying) finally awww it starts. I took it to a local mechanic,(because one day no matter how much I wiggled it just wouldn't start) turns out it's not my starter, not battery, not alternator... well you know the story. He tell's me it's the ignition switch... a $380.00+ job. Meanwhile he took apart steering colum and it turns out he finds that the cables inside are all loose, he tightend everything up,charged me $75.00 labor fee and sent me on my way.. car was WONDERFUL again... FOR TWO WEEKS!! It seems like when car is in direct sunlight (hot) it has a harder time... anyways what I would like to do is buy the parts: Key lock assembly, etc. I figure buying the parts myself and just paying someone the labor to fix it.
(if I was a man I'd do it myself )
Any takers out there??
My question
1. what parts exactly do I need
2. & can I buy these parts at my local pep boys, auto zone etc
or do I need to get from dealer.
and #3. Is $380.00+ (parts labor) sound about right for this work to be done!?

your expertise advise is greatly needed...

[88pathoffroad]

$380 to replace one ignition switch is highway robbery. It takes a drill, a Philips screwdriver and about an hour tops. Unless the switch costs $250 from a dealership, that is...