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I have a 1990 Honda Civic. The other day I ran out of fuel when I was on the highway. Whenever I put gas back in the car the car started and ran for like 2 minutes then it shut off. It ran normally for the rest of the day then the next day, the car would sometimes not start at random times. Starter seemed strong it would crank but no start. Finally I got stranded in the car will not start at all now. It is also stuck in park unless I stick my key in the shift release slot. Even when I put it in neutral it still doesn't start. also the windows and other accessories don't work except for the radio. I don't think it is the shift Interlock system because my brake lights still work. I replaced the main relay. This did not fix the problem, but now that I have the new relay in the starter just kind of makes a screech sound instead of the normal sound it was making before. Like it's not even attempting to start anymore just making a screech sound. I'm thinking it has to be something electrical since all of the accessories and power windows stopped working at the same time that the shifter locked up and it won't start. Does anybody have any idea what this might be? The car won't shift out of park but the brake light still work. The accessories aren't working. The car won't start. I already replaced the main relay. PLEASE HELP

 
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I'm sorry I wasn't trying to rush, I'm just super stressed since my car is stranded. With all the stress I didn't even realize it was Thanksgiving.really sorry. Have a great Thanksgiving, and of anyone has any ideas, I appreciate it. But I think it might be the ignition switch

 
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huh, less than a day since you posted, in thanksgiving day and you rushing us?
Sorry, we are all volunteers, many are out for thanksgiving, you are not paying us to solve your problems, so

 
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If you're in such a rush that you can't wait more than 16 hours for people with jobs and objectively better things to do than hang out on an online forum all day, perhaps you're better off taking it to a shop.

My first though went neutral safety switch, but I'm not sure a car that old would even have one.

Can you describe the screeching sound a bit more? Does the engine still actually turn over? Sounds like the starter is beginning to fail as well, because unless you have the wrong relay in there, it shouldn't be that.

 
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Yeah, sorry I'm just freaking out because I've been out of work because of this, so I didnt even realize it had been only 16 hours since the post. I'm not asking anybody to solve my problems for.me, I'm just asking for some suggestions. But I do apologise for rushing. Happy Thanksgiving!

 
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Yeah sorry I'm just stressed because I'm out of my job because of the car not running. I didn't realize it was Thanksgiving, or that it had only been 16 hours since my post, so that's my bad and I apologise. However I'm actually not on a forum all day, this was my first post and I made my account only to ask this question. My car is stranded miles away and I've been riding a bicycle between auto parts store and the vehicle. Not everybody has people in this world who would be willing to help, and not everyone had money for mechanic shops. I'm currently thinking the problem is the ignition switch. Going to install one tomorrow when the part arrives. Sorry for rushing, and happy Thanksgiving!

 
Rep Power: 367

is the battery still good?
all these systems going out at same time.
you were trying a lot of starting since the fuel issues (likely some gunk from the bottom of the tank got into the system and floating around) - but leave that for now.
Battery is my suspect for the starting/electrical issues, shifter included

don't go changing parts, if you have a friend with a car and a jumper cable, that would be what i would do, go there, jumper cable, and try to start again (The other car should be running for better electrical power)

 
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I don't think it's the battery because headlights, blinkers, brake lights, radio, open door chime, and the interior fan still turn on. The battery is fairly new. I'm thinking it's the ignition switch, because it's like everything that should turn on when you turn the key to the ACC position isn't working (ability to shift to neutral, accessories, started, fuel pump). I ordered one to the auto parts store, and will install tomorrow.

 
Rep Power: 367

keep it as possibility - the starter solenoid might not have enough force to engage with the flywheel and making the screeching noises. all the others you mentioned does not draw as much power as the starter engine

also, re-read my reply, I edited and added more there

 
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Yeah I was also thinking it could be a weak battery causing the starter to sound weak. But I've dealt with bad batteries in this car before and never experienced this array of issues. Next time I go down to the car I'm going to check the voltage of the battery to see if it's low. 3 mile bicycle ride through the ghetto doesn't help the situation, but we do what we gotta do. But I have a good feeling it might be the ignition switch. Happy Thanksgiving!

 
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happy thanksgiving! Hopefully that is it

 
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The ignition switch fixed everything. Problem solved.