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August 12, 2019

3 Car Ignition Issues And How To Fix Them

The ignition switch is an important feature of your vehicle. If it’s not functioning properly we won’t be able to start our cars. Ignition switch issues can go even further – cause problems on the road, such as unexpected shutdowns or electrical issues. So keep in mind that ignition switch problems are very serious and need to be addressed immediately. Some of the car ignition issues can be dealt with easily, while some of them require professional locksmith assistance or even an ignition replacement.

So here are some of the most common ignition switch issues and ways to fix them:

Check The Steering Wheel

The steering wheel lock and the ignition cylinder are mechanically connected. The reason behind this is that a potential thief can’t steer the car without a key. So let’s say you turned off the engine with the steering wheel turned or turned the wheel after turning off the engine. In both cases, the steering wheel lock can bind and therefore, you won’t be able to turn the ignition. So if you’re having trouble turning your car key, make sure this isn’t the case. The solution is easy – just turn the wheel back and forth until the ignition cylinder is freed. 

Worn Out Key Or Ignition 

The nature of our universe is that every mechanical thing through time gets worn out and starts to malfunction. Your car ignition cylinder and key are not exceptions as well. Just imagine how many hundreds of times do you insert and remove the key into the ignition in a year? This wears out both the ignition cylinder and the car key. As a result, one day you may find yourself unable to turn the key. If this is the case the only thing you can do is to get a new set of keys or a new ignition cylinder – that depends which one is actually the problem. To determine it we suggest you calling a locksmith. They’ll be able to tell you whether the key or the cylinder needs the replacement and also provide you with a proper service. 

Immobilizer Problems

Most of the keys that are made nowadays have immobilizers. They use transponder keys to enable or disable the engine. Electrical problems such as broken immobilizer antenna wiring can prevent the engine immobilizer from reading signals sent from the transponder. Another reason behind the unresponsive engine might be as simple as dead batteries in the transponder. In this case, just replace the batteries. If it doesn’t help you, get the mechanic or a locksmith to check if the system is electrically sound.  

Of course, the three ignition issues we described above don’t contain everything there can be wrong with your ignition, however, they are the most common ones. If you need a locksmith to check out your ignition in the Baltimore area, call Star Locks.

For Star Locks’s Ignition Repair & Replacement Services call – (410) 220-4692