What to do, ignition cylinder problems

The ignition lock cylinder is the cylindrical tumbler and key that is used to start and turn on the vehicle. While a lot of newer vehicles are being manufactured with push button and keyless power systems, a lot of traditional ignition lock cylinders are still a common use for most vehicles.

The cylinder is placed on the right side of the steering column, just behind the steering wheel. The ignition lock cylinder operates three different jobs every time you use it, first it unlocks the steering wheel, which allows you to turn the wheel to whichever way you want it to.

It then powers the vehicle's accessories, for example, once you turn the key inside of the ignition cylinder you can then turn on the air inside of your car, and control the windows, and open them at your will.

The third power it brings to the vehicle is it turns on the computer and fuel system, and the last crank to turns on the engine.

When the ignition cylinder is locked, or it has issues this could cause real panic, because of how important it is in allowing you to go from A to B. A faulty lock cylinder has a couple of symptoms that alert the driver of potential issues.

Car Not Starting:

Since the entire point of an ignition lock cylinder is to start the engine of a vehicle so the car can go from point A to point B with no issue, then the cylinder is probably the problem that is stopping it from starting. The cylinder is connected to an electronic ignition switch, which works to power and starts the vehicle. If you believe that your lock cylinder is wearing out or is breaking, then that’s probably the problem that’s preventing your car from starting in the first place. A no start can also be caused by a wide variety of other problems, like the battery. So, it’s probably a good idea to have the vehicle properly diagnosed.

Steering Wheel Stuck:

The majority of the time, the main symptom of a potential ignition lock cylinder problem is powering the vehicle. The ignition cylinder wears out a little every time the vehicle is started because this requires the lock to be repeatedly turned over and over. So, if you have a job like a delivery or you drive a lot anyways then the chances are your vehicle is just wearing down slowly, but surely.

A worn Cylinder will not function correctly when the key is inserted, which may lead to issues with some of the positions the key is in. Depending on how the vehicle is turned, the entire wheel will be stuck along with your key inside of the ignition cylinder. If you ever encounter this problem, there is no need to panic since the solution to this problem can be solved quickly.

The first thing you should do in this situation is to make sure that your vehicle is in park. Automatic transmissions are designed to start only if the car is in the park or neutral. If the car is in the drive, then your problem does not lie with the ignition key.

The next thing to check for in these situations when your key won’t turn, and it seems to be stuck. Sometimes the problem doesn’t lie with your ignition but instead lies with your key. If your key is damaged, then it probably doesn’t fit into the ignition cylinder the way it used to. So, in these scenarios, just relax, and find a way to loosen it up without causing any more damage to your key, and/or damaging your cylinder ignition. The solution to a bent key is simple… either get a new one or just use a rubber mallet to flatten the bent key.

Sometimes your key and your ignition are fine, and instead, there’s just something stuck to your key. This is actually more common than you think because the key is a magnet for some things to just attach itself to it. For example, if you just used your key to open a package, then there might be some tape attached to that key, that is preventing the key from working. If this is the problem then you are in luck, because nothing comes out of your pocket for this fix.

If you know for sure that the steering wheel is locked try to unlock it by wiggling the wheel back and forth while turning and trying to pull out the key. Apply light pressure to the key, and just steer the wheel back and forth like you were trying to make sharp turns.

Ignition Turns on but the Engine is not working with it.

If nothing happens whenever you turn the ignition switch to the start position then the problem lies with either a bad ignition switch or a faulty circuity on your car. The next step to find out what it truly is, and to try to get your self out of this truly horrible situation. Check if the light turns on whenever you press them, and then turn on the turning blinker, if both of those aren’t working then the problem doesn’t lie in your ignition switch, but instead with your battery.

There might even be the rare scenario when your vehicle begins to die while driving, most of the time the battery is to blame in these situations but checking the vehicle to make sure that the problem is solved requires a locksmith to ensure that your car does work and will work.

Your ignition cylinder is a lot more important than you realize, and not paying proper attention to it can lead to more problems that you’re probably prepared for. So, if you believe that there are problems with your ignition cylinder then you should call a locksmith serving your area.

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