Signs You Need Car Ignition Repair or Replacement

There are a good number of reasons you may be encountering car ignition challenges. It’s best to pay attention to these issues, because ignoring them means things will only get worse, and could likely become much bigger problems than they ever needed to be.

Here are some basic causes for ignition failure:

The car key itself may actually be defective. Sometimes, an ignition fails because it was faulty from the beginning. In that case, your automobile’s manufacturer should replace it right away, if it is still under warranty. If your warranty period has passed, hiring a professional automotive locksmith will be your best bet. A few vehicles that are notorious for having factory-related ignition problems are: Chevrolet Cavalier, Ford Focus, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the Nissan Sentra.

The car key is basically worn out. You car key sustains a lot of wear and tear. Think about how many times you put it in and take it out of the ignition every day; how many times you drop or throw your keys; and how many other uncommon places your keys may have been. The key very gradually loses material, and thus it will function less and less effectively. Eventually, it will stop working completely. If this occurs, ask your dealership or a reputable locksmith to get your car key remade using the factory key-cutting codes. You want it to be precisely cut so that it will be perfectly functional.

You may have worn-out or jammed-up wafers. Every car’s ignition has a set of wafers, which index with corresponding cuts on the car key. As time goes by, these parts can simply get worn out, or become crammed with grime and dirt. In this case, the switch is bound to fail; but often times the switch can be repaired, so you won’t have to replace the whole thing. A simple thorough cleaning or individual wafer replacement may do the trick.

You may have inserted the wrong key. If you just put the wrong key in the ignition by mistake, this will be big trouble. Do not try to remove it! Instead, it’s time to hire an expert automotive locksmith immediately. If you attempt to pull the key out, you can easily cause damage to the ignition, which may then be irreparable.

The car key has broken off, or a foreign object has become lodged in the ignition. Do not try to get the broken key or object out! Find a reliable locksmith right away. Otherwise, you are likely to cause further damage to the ignition. The good news is, the broken-off key or the object can usually be removed by an automotive professional locksmith without having to replace the entire ignition switch.

Your transponder key has stopped communicating with your car’s computer. If you have a transponder key, its computer chip may have either lost its programming, or is otherwise no longer working. When this happens, you can get your existing key reprogrammed by an automotive locksmith expert. Or, the existing key cuts can be duplicated, for programming a totally new key. Either your car dealership or a dependable automotive locksmith professional will be able to carry out this specialized service for you.

Someone has tried to steal your car. If a car thief makes a failed attempt to steal your automobile, and doesn’t understand how your vehicle ignition functions, the intruder will, more often than not, end up totally ruining the steering column as well as the ignition switch. Unfortunately, you are likely going to have to replace the whole ignition assembly entirely.

Watch for these warning signs that your ignition is too far gone. When an ignition switch goes completely bad, it cannot be repaired. You must replace it. A worn-out ignition can even become a hazard, so be sure to be on the lookout for these indications that your ignition switch is on the blink and has to be replaced:

• When an ignition switch starts to act up, the car often needs to turn over more than once before it will start up.
• The engine will not turn over when you turn the key to the "start" position.
• The radio or the headlights will not work when the key is in the "on" position.
• The car key comes out, even while the car is still running.
• You might see increased auto emissions.
• Your car stalls out often when you’re idling.
• Sometimes the radio, power windows, and windshield wipers will still be functional when the ignition switch is faulty, but the car does not start up.
• Your ignition switch becomes very hot to the touch.
• You can’t put the key in the ignition at all.
• You’re noticing some car battery problems.
• The steering wheel often sticks, or becomes immovable.
• You may observe higher fuel consumption.

You can test your ignition.

1. One way to see if your ignition switch has gone bad is to turn the ignition to the "on" position, but not quite all the way to start. If your dashboard lights - including the oil, brake, charge, and other warning lights - do not come on, then your ignition switch is probably too far gone.
2. Another way to test your ignition switch is to use a multimeter. Ignition switches often fail because of a short in the car’s electrical system; if this is the issue, the replacement of the switch must be done very carefully by a qualified professional. Don’t do it yourself, because you want to avoid any potential damage that could be caused by the electrical current.

If you’re anywhere in Tuckahoe, Virginia, and you’re having difficulties with your ignition, you ought to consult with a reputable local locksmith company such as Tuckahoe Locksmith Services, where the professional mobile automotive locksmith specialists on staff will be able to quickly assess and resolve your particular problem, and get you right back on the road again.