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If you’re having any trouble starting your vehicle, there are a number of reasons it’s happening. One possibility is that your car’s ignition switch is malfunctioning. If so, then you should investigate. In some instances, you can find the nature of the issue yourself. A worn-out ignition can be a hazard, so don’t ignore it.
When you start up the car, the ignition coil takes its power from the battery, sending it to the sparkplugs, which ignites the fuel so the car will run. If you turn the engine over too many times, it’s possible you’ll drain the battery. If so, there won’t be any power left to start it up again.
An ignition often fails because it’s been faulty from the beginning. Check with the manufacturer. If your car is still under warranty, then the dealership will probably replace your ignition cylinder for free. If it’s not under warranty, then contact an automotive locksmith.
Your transponder key isn’t communicating. This could mean that the computer chip has lost its programming. You can reprogram your existing key; or, you can hire a professional locksmith to duplicate the existing cuts to program a completely new one. An accomplished professional automotive locksmith specialist will be able to provide the exacting work needed to carry out this precise service.
Is a broken key or other foreign object lodged in the lock mechanism? Don’t attempt to fix this problem unless you’re a mechanic! Instead, contact an automotive locksmith technician. Otherwise, you could cause irreparable damage. The broken key, or whatever the object is, can be removed by a professional, so you won’t have to replace the entire ignition switch.
Your car key might have sustained too much wear and tear. Over the years, a car key will gradually become ineffective, and eventually it may stop functioning. In that case, it will have to be remade, applying the factory key cutting codes, to ensure that the key is accurately cut and fully functional.
Did you mistakenly insert the incorrect key in the ignition switch? If you stuck the wrong key into the ignition, then don’t even try to get it out! You might cause irreparable damage. Instead, call a dependable automotive locksmith expert.
Your ignition’s set of wafers, which index with corresponding cuts on the car key, are worn-out, or jammed up with grime, which will cause the ignition switch to fail. Simple cleaning, or individual wafer replacement, will be effective, making a full replacement unnecessary.
Is the switch overheating? If your ignition switch is hot to the touch, then there might be a short, which means the issue originates in the electrical system. Because your ignition switch is connected to high-resistance wires, any of the terminals where these wires are connected can overheat, and may even melt the insulating base. If this occurs, your car will jerk violently and won’t start at all.
Has a car thief attempted to steal your vehicle? An aborted theft can wreck havoc on your ignition switch and steering column. If this has happened to you, then the whole ignition assembly has to be replaced.
One sure sign of a faulty ignition switch is that your instrument panel doesn’t illuminate when the key is in the second position.
1 The “off” status position: No power is being transmitted to the system.
2 The “on” status position: The dashboard lights turn on, but the engine stays off.
3 The “start” position: This is when you exert full key pressure; the engine fires.
Regular wear and tear leads to ignition switch malfunction, especially if you own an older model. If your ignition switch begins to fail, you may not hear any clicks from the main relay. If you stall out, examine your dashboard lights. When you turn the car key to the “on” (position 2), if the brake light, oil light, charge light, and other warning lights don’t come on, then something’s wrong.
When you put the ignition key in the “start” position (position 3), the moment you see it’s starting, let go of the key, allowing it to snap back to the “on” position. If your warning lights go off when the switch snaps back, then the switch is broken, and you’ll need to call an automotive locksmith.
If you have some automotive expertise, you could service the ignition switch yourself. Replacing an ignition switch isn’t easy, particularly in newer cars, because they usually include anti-theft devices. You’ll render your vehicle inoperable if you remove or replace your ignition switch without the proper tools, and without taking the recommended precautions! The electrical current running through your car’s system can even cause bodily harm, so keep all metallic objects away from all electrical wires.
Prior to installing a new ignition switch, the process will involve disconnecting the battery cable from the battery terminal, removing the steering column, removing the wiring harness connected to the ignition switch, and so on.