2001 Honda Prelude automatic transmission fails to start

Whenever I turn the key all the dash lights come on as normal. Honda
replaced battery already in an attempt to fix this problem. Car has 40K
miles. It does not turn the engine over at all; not even click. If I
wiggle the gear shifter several times it will start with no problem.
This has started happening at least 3 or 4 times a week. Please HELP!!

 

Is this an AT? Sounds like the neutral safety switch. If the shifter
shaking trick really works, open up the console and start
investigating. Could just be some screws need tightening.

 

I was going to suggest the ignition switch. In fact, somebody just
suggested it in alt.autos.honda.

 

Thanks for quick replies. Can you please give me a little information
on where the neutral safety switch would be located. Is it in the
console near the shifter or closer to the transmission? Thanks again.

Brad

 

I am just guessing but there is probably a switch inside the console.
Older models had a "console switch" which followed the shift lever to
tell the car what gear was selected. The old ones were notorious for
failing in cold weather but the symptoms were usually different.

 

It turns out that it was the Imobilizer, which, if I had been paying
attention would have noticed the dash light not blinking.

 

Okay - Imobilizer - NOT! I'm still having the same problem. I guess the
dealership just wanted a few extra dollars that day. Apparently this
dealership doesn't have anyone competent to troubleshoot electrical
problems very well. I'm now convinced it may be the ignition switch and
don't know if I should take the car to another dealership or take it
back to the same one I've been using since I bought the car. If I take
it back to the same dealership I could attempt to hit them up for a
discount on future repair given I have spent almost $400.00 to them and
they still have not fixed the issue. It seems reasonable to me that if
they only thing that is moving is the key to start the engine and there
is not click sound that it could quite probably be the ignition switch.
If any disagrees please explain why. Anyone know what it would cost to
replace both the ingition switch and starter? I find this rediculous
that a Honda dealership doesn't have tools to narrow this problem down
any further. First they said it was the battery then the imobilizer.
And the car only has 40K miles on it. Geezzzz!

 

Okay - Imobilizer - NOT! I'm still having the same problem. I guess the
dealership just wanted a few extra dollars that day. Apparently this
dealership doesn't have anyone competent to troubleshoot electrical
problems very well. I'm now convinced it may be the ignition switch and
don't know if I should take the car to another dealership or take it
back to the same one I've been using since I bought the car. If I take
it back to the same dealership I could attempt to hit them up for a
discount on future repair given I have spent almost $400.00 to them and
they still have not fixed the issue. It seems reasonable to me that if
they only thing that is moving is the key to start the engine and there
is not click sound that it could quite probably be the ignition switch.
If any disagrees please explain why. Anyone know what it would cost to
replace both the ingition switch and starter? I find this rediculous
that a Honda dealership doesn't have tools to narrow this problem down
any further. First they said it was the battery then the imobilizer.
And the car only has 40K miles on it. Geezzzz!

Brad