SWMBO's vehicle is a 2008 Mercury Mariner. It's not been without its issues, but she likes it and it is well beyond paid off. It has for a while though had a definite issue with the ignition switch. It started getting harder to start and she had to start pushing the key in really hard while turning the key to start it and eventually it stopped working entirely and she had to use the remote start on key fob. I was able to install some shims and get the key to behave for about 6 months, but it continued to wear out and my fix stopped being effective. I tried fixing it again, but it's still VERY hit-or-miss as to whether it can be started with the key. It's at the point that she's quite fed up with having to start it with the remote starter (which requires hitting the 'lock' button three times and the horn honking twice).
So, what I've suggested doing is bypassing the key for starting and putting in a button to push to start it instead. It looks like it should be a simple matter of tapping the right wire for the switch and making sure it's hooked up to a hot-when-in-run power source. BUT- she's worried that doing this would potentially cause problems with the remote start capability she depends on now. I wouldn't think that the computer should have any clue that anything is up since the key would have to be in the ignition and in 'run' for it to work, but I also don't want to disable the car completely...
Why not just replace the ignition switch? If the start contacts are worn, chances are other circuits aren't far behind.
Edit: a new motorcraft ignition switch is $43 on Rock auto. You would probably have to dig into the steering column just to get to the wires for an external switch, just do it right.
Starter wire for a 2008 Mariner is blue with a white stripe at the ignition switch harness under the drivers knee panel. You'll want to take power from the ignition wire (white with orange stripe) in that same harness to run to the input of the starter button, then the output will go to the blue/white starter wire. This will let the starter button only work when the key is in the run position. You shouldn't need a relay as the starter already has a relay further down the line.
HappyAndy wrote:
Why not just replace the ignition switch? If the start contacts are worn, chances are other circuits aren't far behind.
Edit: a new motorcraft ignition switch is $43 on Rock auto. You would probably have to dig into the steering column just to get to the wires for an external switch, just do it right.
From what I've read and seen, it's not the switch itself but the bracket that holds it that wears out, so it's not as easy as just replacing the ignition switch.
Ashyukun wrote:
HappyAndy wrote:
Why not just replace the ignition switch? If the start contacts are worn, chances are other circuits aren't far behind.
Edit: a new motorcraft ignition switch is $43 on Rock auto. You would probably have to dig into the steering column just to get to the wires for an external switch, just do it right.
From what I've read and seen, it's not the switch itself but the bracket that holds it that wears out, so it's not as easy as just replacing the ignition switch.
Local Pick-A-Part and entire column replacement ?
Bracket adjustment tools?
