When you cannot start your car, there are many reasons it could be happening. One likelihood is that your automobile has a malfunctioning ignition switch. If so, then investigate further. A worn-out ignition can actually become a hazard, so don’t ignore it. In some cases, you will be able to discover the nature of the issue yourself.
Possible Causes for Ignition Problems
There may be too much wear and tear. If so, your car key will grow increasingly ineffective, and stop working altogether in the end. If so, the key must be remade, applying the factory key cutting codes, to make sure it’s correctly cut and completely functional.
One typical reason ignitions fail is that they’re defective from the beginning. Check with your vehicle’s manufacturer. If you are still under warranty, the dealership will replace your ignition cylinder. If you’re no longer under warranty, then it’s time for you to hire a dependable automotive locksmith specialist.
Did you put the wrong key in the ignition switch? If it went all the way in, don’t try pulling it out! You could cause irreparable damage. Call a locksmith right away.
The battery might be drained. When you start up your car, the ignition coil takes its power from the battery, sending it to the sparkplugs. This ignites the fuel so the car will start up. If you ever have to turn the engine over too many times to get it started, you could drain your battery until there isn’t any power left.
Did you break the car key off, or is there any other object lodged inside the lock mechanism? Don’t attempt to handle this yourself! Contact a trusty automotive locksmith expert instead. Otherwise, you might wield irreparable damage. Normally, any foreign object such as a broken key can easily be removed by a professional automotive locksmith, without having to replace the entire ignition switch.
Take a look at your dashboard lights. Natural wear and tear on your vehicle can eventually lead to ignition switch failure, especially in older model cars. If your ignition switch is malfunctioning, you may not be hearing any clicks from the main relay, which fires it up. If you’re stalling out, check your dashboard lights. Turn the key to position 2, and if the charge light, oil light, brake light, and other warning lights don’t turn on, then something is wrong. You can also test the ignition switch’s integrity: When you get the car key to the “start” position, as soon as it begins to start up, let go of the key, and then let it snap back to the “on” position. If your warning lights turn off as the switch snaps back, then the switch is definitely bad.
Your ignition’s set of wafers, which index with corresponding cuts on your car key, can get worn out. Your ignition switch will malfunction if it gets gummed up with dirt and grime. Individual wafer replacement, or good old cleaning, will be your best bet. You shouldn’t have to pay for a complete ignition replacement.
Is your ignition switch overheating? You might have a short in your system. If your ignition switch is overly hot to the touch, then the problem is probably in the electrical system. Because the ignition switch is connected to high-resistance wires, any of the terminals where the wires are connected can overheat, which could melt the insulating base. If it indeed does get fried, your vehicle will jerk violently, and certainly won’t start.
Your transponder key may not be working right. Usually, this means that its computer chip has lost its programming. You can get your existing transponder key reprogrammed; or, you can ask a professional to duplicate the existing cuts to program a whole new key. This precise task needs to be carried out by a reliable expert automotive locksmith.
Has there been a failed attempt to steal your automobile? What often happens in this case is that an amateur car thief will mess up your ignition switch and steering column. If so, you need to replace the entire ignition assembly.
Be on the lookout for these warning signs:
• the car key comes out, even if the car’s still running
• you’re observing car battery problems
• you may see higher auto emissions or increased fuel consumption
• you cannot even put the key in the ignition at all
• the steering wheel sometimes sticks, or even becomes immovable
• your vehicle might be prone to stalling while idling
Check the Status
When you stick the car key in the ignition switch and turn it, typically there are 3 status positions:
1. In the “off” status position, no power is transmitted to the engine or the system.
2. In the “on” status position, the dashboard lights turn on, but the engine is still off.
3. In the “start” status position, you exert full key pressure, and that’s when the engine fires up.
DIY
If you want to replace the ignition switch yourself, make sure you know exactly what you’re doing. It’s not an easy undertaking, particularly with newer vehicles, because they generally include anti-theft devices. Removing or replacing your ignition switch without taking the correct safety precautions, and without using the proper tools, will easily render your car inoperable! The electrical current running through the system can actually cause bodily harm. Therefore, keep all metallic objects away from the electrical wires. Before you can install a new ignition switch, the process involves removing the wiring harness that’s connected to the ignition switch, taking out the steering column, disconnecting the battery cable from the battery terminal, and so forth. So unless you’re a mechanic, it’s better to hire a professional. If you’re located anywhere in Menifee, California, it’s a good idea to hire a professional automotive locksmith specialist, such as the mobile technicians on staff at Secure Menifee Locksmith.
