bad ignition switch wiring or ground issue?

[Simon 88YJ94XJ]

I've got a 94 that the previous owner installed a push button starter into because he said the keyed ignition only works intermittently. Well it had some other electrical issues including constant power to all the accesories (wipers, heater/defrost, radio etc. all worked with key out of ignition)... I fixed that problem by yanking out the poorly installed radio... (constant power because he had the main power and memory/constant power spliced into the main power of the stock radio harness) either coincidentally or not the key worked for weeks afterward without fail, but now after changing my speaker configuration (pulling the stereo of course) I've had to go back to the push button. I've already re-yanked the radio and gave it a quick feel back there looking for obvious breaks or free wires.

Question is have I found a bad ground or broken wire in the harness in this area that's causing the key to not work? (presumably jamming the radio back in disturbs the ground or puts tension on a nearly severed wire?) Does the ignition wiring run through this area behind the radio? If so does anyone know what wires?

[langer1]

Hard to say is your NSS still working or does the PB bypass it?

[XgeekstarX]

i know when my ignition switch bit the dust my wipers and radio and a bunch of other stuff stopped working. 10 bucks and 45 minutes later i was back on track.

[Simon 88YJ94XJ]

Hard to say is your NSS still working or does the PB bypass it?

The PB is wired directly (hot wired) and the key would work intermittently wether its hooked up or not.

The key still needs to be used to allow accesories and electrical systems and is working normally except for not starting the engine.

Basically whe I got it, the key sometimes started it, and sometimes I had to push the button, all the electrical stuff operated even when the key was out of the ignition (leading to a dead battery when I left the heater on low).

Then After sorting out the radio wiring the key worked for several weeks, until I messed with the radio, and now the key wont start it at all (two weeks now) but does turn power off/on to all the systems as it normally should.

My inclination is that there's a broken shielding, half broken wire or a loose ground but I figured I'd ask about the wire routing before I tear my dash apart looking for it.

I don't think it's the switch because it still turns on power for everything and it has never been a deal where you could try it a dozen times and it might fire once or twice... it's ALWAYS a few days of not working then maybe a week of working, followed by a week not working etc.

[90xj06]

it sounds like you have a short some where. i would take the radio out and start from scratch putting the radio in making sure every thing is right with no bare wires.

[Jess]

If I understand correctly the key sometimes works, but the PB will always start it....if so I would believe the NSS is very dirty and the PB takes the NSS out of the loop. The problem is the NSS. You can either clean and readjust the NSS or just use the PB.