Ignition Cylinder Problems
Your vehicle’s ignition switch plays an important role when it comes to starting your vehicle and maintaining power to its battery and electrical systems. The ignition cylinder is the part of your vehicle where you insert your key. The top part of the cylinder usually has a small, circular shape with a key slot in the center. The rest of the cylinder sits embedded in the vehicle. Whenever you insert your key into the ignition cylinder slot, depending on the position you turn the key to, the ignition cylinder will alert the vehicle's interior to light up or the vehicle’s engine to turn on.
Even though ignition cylinders are small, they must be working properly in order for your car to drive at all. There are several problems that can occur with ignition cylinders that will either make it impossible, difficult, or even dangerous to drive. If you are experiencing any of the problems described below, it is important to resolve the problem as quickly as possible before you attempt to drive again.
Problem 1: The Steering Wheel is Locked
Most vehicles have a steering wheel lock mechanism. This mechanism helps to keep the vehicle key in place while you are driving, but also prevents the wheels from moving while your car is parked. Sometimes, this mechanism can activate at the wrong time and may leave you with a stuck key in your ignition cylinder. Luckily, this particular issue is fairly common. An easy fix to try before you call a professional is to make sure the car is in park, gently turn the wheel back and forth, and try to extract the key while doing. Usually this trick is enough to alert the locking mechanism that all is in order and you should be able to release your vehicle key from the cylinder.
Do not try to force the vehicle key out if this does not work after several tries. It is possible that your key may be stuck for some other reason, or some other kind of damage within the ignition cylinder is causing the key to remain stuck. Attempting to force your key out of the cylinder is not recommended and could result in further damages.
Problem 2: The Cylinder or Key is Worn Out
As with any other car parts, ignition cylinders and keys are both prone to wear and tear. Ignition cylinders are activated every time you turn on, use, and turn off your vehicle. Since this may happen multiple times a day over the course of several years, it makes sense that ignition cylinders may eventually wear out.
One primary reason why an ignition cylinder will wear out is due to heavy key chains. We may not realize that the decorative key chains that accompany our car keys on a key ring may actually cause damage to our ignition cylinders. It is not the best idea to have heavy or oversized key chains or other items on your keys since you may end up needing to replace your ignition cylinder sooner rather than later.
Problem 3: Faulty Wiring or Circuits
Ignition cylinders have a series of wires and internal mechanics that communicate to various parts of your vehicle. If one of these wires is faulty or unable to function, your ignition cylinder may not turn or you may be unable to start your car. Since it can sometimes be impossible to tell if there is a wiring issue without looking at the rest of the ignition cylinder embedded in your car, you should ask for professional assistance if you think this may be the problem.
Problem 4: Your Vehicle Will Not Start or Stalls
Having a vehicle that will not start or stalls is a common, but dangerous symptom of a faulty ignition cylinder. If an ignition cylinder has been knocked out of place, is loosely fitted, or some other kind of mishap is occurring, you may only be able to drive your car for so long before it stalls, if at all.
Repair Your Ignition Cylinder ASAP
In order to get your ignition cylinder working properly again, you will need to hire a professional. Ignition cylinders can be complex to work with because they are tucked away in your vehicle. The right tools and knowledge will be necessary to replace it without causing any excess damage to the other parts of your car.
It is recommended that you work with a mobile locksmith if you suspect that your ignition cylinder is the source of your vehicle problems. Locksmiths are able to diagnose, repair, and assist with vehicle lock and key replacements of all kinds. Mobile locksmiths, in particular, are able to travel from location to location to help with on-site vehicle locksmithing repairs and more. No matter what particular problem you are experiencing with your vehicle’s ignition cylinder, a mobile locksmith will be able to offer you the fastest services at the most affordable price. By allowing an expert locksmith to come to you, rather than relying on a tow truck and other services to help you, you will save time, money, and a whole lot of hassle.