96 SL320 will NOT restart....HELP!

[johncash]

Ok, brains; When cold engine lights right off and runs fine. When I get down the road (usually less than 10 miles) I stop the engine and when I come back it won't start. I finally noticed the bottom row of warning lights do NOT light during cranking when the engine refuses to start. The "SRS" light does come on. After repeated attempts (fully have to remove key each time) I can on after repeated attempts get the row of warning light to come on and then I know the vehicle will start. I'm stumped. Any help or steerage by one of the good brains here would be appreciated.

Anyone?...anyone?...
John boy

[Gilly]

Ignition switches on these 90-97 models are pretty well known for failures like this, think that'll fix it.
Gilly

[johncash]

Was sure it was an electrical problem and the switch is logical. Thanks for the quick response and the history on these switches. What a great board. Probably just saved me many dollars! Where do I send the check?
Thanks again.
BTW Great site on the Sprite restore. I had a 59 bug eye in 64-65 and loved it. I overhauled the engine at sea and used chart paper for the head gasket (forgot to bring one) after break in I got 50 MPG with oversized wheels. Fun vehicle

[Gilly]

Not too hard to swap if you're mechanically inclined. Interesting username, that for Johnny Cash?

[LeaUK]

Bets on the ignition switch too.

See my switch replacement thread for some pics and guidance..


Removal of Ignition Switch / Barrel

[johncash]

With the help of the guys here, I'm on my way to ordering the required parts.
LeaUK; the pictures will make it happen with to much of a fuss, Thank you
Gilly; Johnny Cash's real name was John R. Cash and he came from a little place called Cash's Corner, WV where I'm told my father was also from (different guys) It tis a small world.

Thanks again !

[Gilly]

I had heard that Johnny Cash was actually born "JR Cash", and that's what he actually went by (J.R.) for a long time. I know he's best known for coming from Dyess or Dyess Colony (a "project" set up by the gov't), but I know that his family moved there after Johnny was born.
Gilly

[Gilly]

Early life

Cash was born "J.R. Cash" in Kingsland, Arkansas, the son of a poor farmer. His family soon moved into a farm in Dyess, Arkansas, which was provided at little cost by the government as part of the New Deal. Cash's father had a severe drinking problem and was physically and emotionally abusive to his family. By age five Cash was working in the cotton fields, singing along with his family as they worked. Cash was very close to his brother Jack. In 1944, a horrible incident occurred that affected Johnny Cash the rest of his life. His beloved brother Jack was killed in an accident. He was pulled into a whirring table saw in the mill where he worked and almost cut in two. He suffered for over a week before he died. Cash always talked of the horrible guilt he felt over this incident because he had gone fishing that day. On his deathbed, the young man had visions of Heaven and angels before he died. Almost sixty years later, Johnny still talked of looking forward to meeting his brother in Heaven. His early memories were dominated by gospel music and radio. He began playing guitar and writing songs as a young boy, and in high school sang on a local radio station. He was dubbed "John" upon enlisting as a radio operator in the Air Force, which refused to accept initials as his name. Thereafter, he was known as Johnny and sometimes as John R. While an airman in Germany, Cash wrote one of his most famous songs, "Folsom Prison Blues".

[miles]

Same problem I had! It is the ignition switch in my opinion.
Gerard

[johncash]

The switch is in hand, but I went ahead an ordered the key tumbler also as I only want to enter into that area once.

Thanks a bunch for your inputs............

Another job well done!
$$