Cars
are a funny thing. Everything on them can be in perfect working order except
for one little switch or fuse and your car still may not run. That’s exactly
the case if you have a broken ignition switch or one that’s going bad. If your
ignition switch will not engage when you turn your key in it then your car will
not run no matter what else you do.
So, what do you do when an ignition switch fails on your vehicle and leaves you stranded? Most people would probably make an emergency call to a locksmith to get this situation resolved. A mechanic might also be an option or a friend with more than average mechanical ability.
One
of the best ways to avoid getting stranded because of an ignition
cylinder that has gone bad is to get it worked on or replaced before it
fails. That is why we are taking the time to write this article. We will point out
some of the warning signs that your ignition switch is about to fail and also
give you some reasons why a locksmith is the best person to call to resolve
your ignition cylinder emergency.
Signs
Your Ignition Cylinder is Going Bad or Broken
- Main Relay Does Not Click When Key Is Turned
If
you don’t hear a click when you turn your key in your ignition cylinder just
before the engine starts to turn over this can be a sign of a problem. That
click is the result of the switch inside your ignition cylinder telling your
car it’s ok to turn over and start running.
- Key Turns Hard in Ignition or Won’t Turn at All
If
you have to really force your key hard when turning it in your ignition
cylinder that is not a good sign either. Chances are you have some pretty worn
out mechanical parts inside your ignition cylinder and it’s about to fail.
- Ignition Cylinder Gets Hot
If
your ignition cylinder gets hot to the touch when you turn your key in it
that’s a bad sign too. This could mean that the cylinder is starting to develop
an electrical short inside it. An electrical short develops when two electrical
contacts no longer come together fully and the electricity arcs across then and
causes a heat buildup.
- You Have Trouble Unlocking Your Steering Wheel
If
you have trouble getting your steering wheel to unlock as you turn your key in
your ignition cylinder this can be an indication that wear and tear on that
cylinder is starting to show itself.
- Accessories Won’t Power on When the Ignition Switch Is Activated
If
you have your ignition cylinder in the ‘on’ position but your car’s radio or
other accessories won’t come on, that generally indicates and ignition cylinder
problem is starting to rear its ugly head.
- Your Car Suddenly Stalls While Driving It
This
is rare but an engine stall could be traced back to the inside of your ignition
cylinder acting as if you had turned your key to the off position. This can be
very dangerous when you are driving to say the least.
Why
an Ignition Cylinder is nothing to Mess Around with when it’s Failing
There
is a reason why we pointed out to you these signs that your ignition cylinder
might be failing and shouldn’t be ignored.
When
your ignition cylinder fails that’s it; your vehicle will not run again until
you get it fixed. This can leave you stranded someplace that you may not want
to be. There is definitely a safety factor that comes into play if your
ignition cylinder goes bad.
If
you are stuck in a parking lot late at night that certainly is not the most
comforting feeling in the world. Not to mention, there is a chance if your
ignition cylinder fails when driving your car will stop running and you will
also lose your power assisted steering.
