The ignition switch in a 1996-2000 Honda Civic can often fail or encounter issues. Some of these problems range from the Civic key not disengaging or your car not starting. When you need to test your Honda Civic ignition switch, you can use our guide to diagnose and troubleshoot the switch in your steering column.
Today I’ll be showing you how to test this ignition switch in a 1996 Honda Civic hatchback, although this how to guide applies to all 1996-2000 Civics.
Before you begin make sure your Civic is parked somewhere safe and that you have a multimeter handy. Not sure what a multimeter is, or how to use one? Check out our how to guide here.
To begin testing your ignition switch, go ahead and crank down the steering column to it’s lowest point. Slide the driver seat as far back as it will go, to give you plenty of room to operate.
You will be removing the steering column cover to expose the switch, your ignition tumbler and the wiring connector. To do this, take a phillips screwdriver and undo the front 2 screws first.
Once you have these two front screws removed, you must remove the rear screws to loosen the column cover. Make sure to keep these screws safe so that you can re-install the Honda Civic steering cover correctly.
Now that these screws are removed, carefully pry open the steering cover by prying open where your Honda key inserts. Pull away gently and make sure to take care when taking off the top portion, as there are metal brackets that help keep things together.
Once your Honda Civic steering cover is taken off, you should now see your Honda Civic ignition switch and connector exposed.
Now using your multimeter, you can test the leads coming straight out of the ignition switch to determine whether or not the switch is bad. The pin labeled B is for your “ON” position, so when you insert your Honda Civic key and turn to “ACC” you should see power at this wire.
To test this using a multimeter, turn the dial on your tester to VOLTS DC and keep the black lead on a chassis ground, as reaching the battery from here is difficult. Probe the outlet wire with the red lead and you should see power there.
The next order of business in our ignition switch how to guide is to test the electrical connector for continuity. Because your Honda Civic ignition switch is comprised of electrical connectors that make contact when your key is turned, you need to unplug and test the pins from both connectors under your steering column.
Reference the chart below to check continuity between these 2 connectors.
You will be checking for continuity between the wires listed below and when your ignition is turned to the appropriate location.
- Pin 1 – ACC – Pin 3 – BAT : With key turned to ACC position
- Pin 1 – ACC – Pin 3 – BAT – Pin 5 – IG1 – Pin 3 – IG2 : with key turned to ON position
- Pin 3 – BAT – Pin 5 – IG1 – Pin 3 – IG2 and ST which stands for start.
Remember you will be testing your Honda Civic ignition switch across two connectors, the 7 pin connector shown below :
As well as the 5 pin connector shown here :
If your ignition switch does not show continuity between the pins in question when your key is turned to the positions shown above, it’s failed or the internal discs or contacts have gone bad. Replacing your ignition switch is easy to do, and when you are looking for a replacement part, make sure to check out our OEM catalog at Pro Street Online.
Have any questions about our how to guide or think we’ve missed anything? Leave us a message below and let us know!
