I have 98 Galant. I have recently had trouble with what I think is my ignition. When I put the key in it will not turn at all to start. The steering wheel is not locked. If I play with the key ****ling it sometimes it will turn over and start right away other times I am sitting ****ling for days. Since this has happened I have managed to come u with a way to leave the key in and not completely turn it to the off position. My question do you think the whole ignition need to be replaced or its it something else. What would be the estimated cost of this job?

 

Sounds like one of two things. Either the locking mechanism on your column key module is bad or it could also be the brake pedal safety switch. (you know where you have to press the brake to start the car). Sometimes the brake pedal switch just gets knocked out of place. My wife had that brake pedal switch go bad on her old Taurus wagon a year ago.

 

the electronic portion of the ignition switch is replaceable separately, and is quite easy to do.

 

your going to have to replace the entire ignition cylinder assembly. also its known as a ignition lock cylinder collar. its the assembly that the ignition key cylinder fits into. not as common to go bad as the electrical part of the cylinder, but does go bad. not that hard of a job to do. you have to use a punch and hammer to turn the breakaway bolts out, other than that its easy.