Can’t start your car? There are a good number of reasons this could be happening. One possibility is that your ignition switch is failing. A worn-out ignition can prove to be a hazard, so you shouldn’t ignore it. Take some time to inspect your vehicle closely. In some cases, you can figure out the nature of the issue yourself.
Are You Having Trouble Starting Up the Car?
When you fire up the engine, the ignition coil takes its power from the battery, and sends it to the sparkplugs, which ignites the fuel so that the car will run. If you end up turning the engine over too many times, you’ll easily drain the battery. If so, there won’t be any power left to start it up again.
Be on the Lookout for These Warning Signs
- you can’t put the key in the ignition at all
- the key comes out, even if the car is still running
- the steering wheel sticks sometimes, or can even become immovable
- you may notice higher auto emissions
- while idling, you are prone to stalling
- you might observe increased fuel consumption
- you’re seeing car battery problems
Causes of Ignition Problems
The ignition has been faulty from the beginning. Check with the car manufacturer. If your automobile is still under warranty, then the dealership should replace your ignition cylinder at no charge. If it’s not under warranty, you’ll need to hire an automotive locksmith.
Your car key has sustained too much wear and tear. As time goes by, your car key will gradually become less and less effective, and eventually it may stop functioning altogether. If so, it will have to be remade, applying the factory key cutting codes so that the key is accurately cut and completely functional.
The ignition’s set of wafers, which index with corresponding cuts on the key, are worn-out, or they’re jammed up with grime, which will cause the ignition switch to malfunction. Basic cleaning, or individual wafer replacement, will make full replacement unnecessary.
The transponder key isn’t communicating. This likely means that the computer chip has lost its programming. You can reprogram your existing key; or, you can hire an expert locksmith to copy the existing cuts and program a totally new one. An accomplished professional automotive locksmith specialist will be able to do the precise work needed to carry out this exacting service.
Did you inadvertently insert the wrong key into the ignition switch? If you stuck the incorrect key into the ignition by mistake, don’t try to get it out! You could cause irreparable damage. Instead, call an automotive locksmith.
Is a broken-off key or other object lodged in the lock mechanism? Don’t try to fix this yourself, unless you’re a mechanic! Otherwise, you might cause irreparable damage. The broken key, or whatever the object is, can be properly removed by a professional automotive locksmith technician, so you won’t have to replace the entire ignition switch.
Is the switch overheating? If you see that your ignition switch is hot to the touch, then there may be a short, which means the issue originates in the electrical system. Since the ignition switch is connected to high-resistance wires, any of the terminals where these wires are connected might overheat, and could even melt the insulating base. If this happens, your car will jerk violently and will not start.
Has a car thief made an attempt to steal your vehicle? A failed car theft can wreck havoc on your steering column and ignition switch. If you’ve been unfortunate enough to have this happen to you, then the entire ignition assembly will need replacement.
Examine the Ignition Status
One sure sign of a faulty ignition switch is that the instrument panel doesn’t light up when you have your car key in the second position.
Whenever you put your key into the ignition switch and turn it, there are 3 customary positions:
1 The “off” status position: No power is transmitted to the system.
2 The “on” status position: The dashboard lights illuminate, but the engine is still off.
3 The “start” position: This is when you place full pressure on the key; then the engine fires.
Monitor the Dashboard Lights
Normal wear and tear will lead to ignition switch failure eventually, particularly on older cars. If your ignition switch starts malfunctioning, you may not hear any clicks from the main relay. If you stall out, check your dashboard lights. When you turn the car key to the “on” status position, if the brake light, charge light, oil light, and other warning lights don’t turn on, then something’s definitely wrong.
Verify Your Ignition Switch’s Integrity
When you put the car key in the “start” status position, the moment you know it’s starting, let go of the key, and allow it to snap back to the “on” status position. If the warning lights go off when the switch snaps back, then that means that the switch is broken. Time to call an automotive locksmith.
DIY
Do you have some automotive expertise? Then you can service the ignition switch yourself. Make sure you know what you’re doing, because replacing an ignition switch is no piece of cake, especially in newer cars, because they typically have anti-theft devices. You’ll render your vehicle inoperable if you replace your ignition switch without the right tools, and without taking the proper precautions! The electrical current running through your vehicle’s system can actually cause bodily harm, so be sure to keep all metallic objects away from all electrical wires. Before installing a new ignition switch, the process involves removing the steering column, disconnecting the battery cable from the battery terminal, removing the wiring harness connected to the ignition switch, and so on. If you have any doubts, hire a professional automotive locksmith.
Hire an Automotive Locksmith
Unless you know exactly what you’re doing, it’s better to hire a legitimate professional. If you’re located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, hire a reliable automotive locksmith specialist, such as the mobile professionals on staff at Locksmith Master Milwaukee.
Aricle source here: HAVING IGNITION CYLINDER PROBLEMS? HERE’S WHAT TO DO!
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