I have a 98 Ford Contour that I bought almost 2 years ago with a few mechanical problems. While leaving it with a mechanic, he managed to break my key off in the ignition lock. It worked ok when putting the other half of key in to start and drive the car, so I never have gotten it fixed. A couple times it wouldn't start. I would get a clicking noise, the wipers would go on, and it would pull the battery down. After several attemps, it would start. Some days I would get in the car and it was like the battery was down but had just enough juice to get it to turn over. The battery is good. One day it wouldn't start so I had it towed to a dependable mechanic. He said he traced it to some wiring that looked melted, and charged me $100. The problem has since returned. Most everything has been replaced under the hood. I'm thinking the problem may be with the ignition switch. The cylinder has been replaced before I got the car as I looked at it when my key got broken off in it. Another telltale sign was only one screw was holding the bottom steering column on. Also, my ignition lock has now locked up. It won't return to the accessory or off position. I had to disconnect the battery cable when I got home to shut the car off. I am replacing the ignition lock tomorrow. Does anyone think these electrical problems could be in the ignition switch? Or could the broken key stuck in the cylinder lock be causing them?

 

The lock cylinder operates the ign switch assy and can affect how the switch works if at all. There may be some serious problems with the entire steering column assy and a good mechanic/tech should be able to straighten them out, but it will take some time and maybe replacing the column may be one of the options.

 

Thanks Hanky!
I had the key cylinder replaced and then the car wouldn't start. The ignition switch was bad and that was replaced also. The problems I had been having with the electrical system seem to be gone.