Dee wrote:
> Thank you VERY much for your detailed reply. It's been starting fine since
> then, but the past couple days I detected the smell of gasoline when I come
> to a stop after a highway drive, so a tune-up and thorough checkup is in
> order. I'm sure I'll be replacing the ignition switch, too; it's not that
> expensive a part. Thanks again.

What year is the car? It's possible that the engine dying upon releasing
the key could be related to something else, especially if it's been
working fine since. I merely meant to observe that intermittent failure
is a possibility with an ignition switch, not to confirm that your
ignition switch is failing. You may want to start with the tuneup first
to see how that turns out.

I don't like to replace things until it's really necessary, and as I'm
relatively new to Hondas I'd hate to see you spend money you don't have
to, based on my comments. On the other hand, if you really can't afford
to get stuck, the car is an older model, and you're sure that the engine
dying upon releasing the key wasn't merely flooding, replacing it could
be preventive medicine.

Hopefully others will chime in with their experience.