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If you’ve ever gone to put your key in your car ignition and had issues with it starting up, it may not be an issue with the motor. Instead, the culprit could be a faulty ignition lock cylinder. Ignition lock cylinders were at one time an innovative security feature that allowed only one particular key to start your car, working with the electrical components inside.
A quality locksmith can rekey or replace your ignition cylinder if needed so you can regain the ability to use your vehicle. They can inspect your ignition cylinder if you’ve been having issues with starting the car and use their expertise to diagnose any problems related to the ignition lock.
Your ignition is powered by the ignition lock cylinder, which is a cylindrical lock tumbler usually located on older vehicle’s steering columns on the right side. You use it every day, but it’s possible you never really thought much about it. The ignition lock cylinder maintains a connection with an electronic switch that powers the vehicle’s ignition, so that when you turn the key in the lock, that switch is activated and the engine fires up. It’s a very important component to your vehicle’s operation.
Ignition cylinders, like any locks, are prone to wearing out over time because they are used so frequently. All of that turning and movement begins to warp the keyhole after several years, and eventually it will wear out altogether. Once issues start, if they are not addressed, the ignition lock cylinder will just keep degrading until you face one of the problems below.
In recent years, ignition lock cylinders have been replaced by push button and keyless starting systems, which are less prone to issues than these older types. But many cars still have ignition lock cylinders powering them. Read on to learn about trouble signs that your ignition lock cylinder is not functioning optimally. Make sure your car is in park wherever you are before you attempt these fixes.
Your Key Gets Stuck in the Lock
If your keys get stuck when you’re trying to take them out, and require a lot of effort and wiggling to remove them from the cylinder, this could be a sign that the keyhole is wearing out or damaged. It’s important to have the ignition cylinder looked at by a locksmith before the key breaks off in the lock. If you’ve been dealing with the issue of a sticky key for a while, it’s even more important to get it inspected because it will only get worse.
The opposite to the problem above, instead of refusing to let go of your key, the ignition lock won’t accept it in the first place. This is usually caused by damage to metal that makes up the keyhole. It might be visible from the outside or internal damage. If your key won’t go in the lock, there’s no way for it to make the connection that it needs to start the vehicle and so you are effectively locked out. This is when you should call a locksmith to help you out.
Your key slides into the lock, but it won’t turn and the ignition stays silent. You can check for common issues to ascertain what the problem is. Check your key to make sure there isn’t any damage. Keys are tough but they are more prone to damage than you might expect, mostly from wear and tear on the blade’s teeth which can round out or break. If your key is damaged, you will have to get a new one. A locksmith can set you up with a duplicate of your current key.
This could be another sign that your keyhole or a component of the ignition cylinder is worn out. Because the ignition cylinder is connected to the ignition switch inside, issues can arise with the communication of the two. This can be due to normal wear and tear over time, or many other causes. This can probably be traced back to an issue not just with the ignition cylinder, but with the connection or performance of the ignition switch. A locksmith or mechanic can diagnose this problem for you to get you on your way again.
A more severe version of the above problem, in this scenario the key goes in the lock and turns fine, but your engine won’t give so much as a sputter. This can be a very frustrating experience, especially if it happens when you’re away from home. While the car refusing to start could be due a mechanical failure in the engine, the first place to look is the ignition cylinder. A locksmith can consult with you over the phone to identify if this is the problem.
When inserted into the lock, your key should be able to turn to all of the positions, like on and start without any issues. Your key should lock into place and be unable to pull out of the keyhole when engaged in certain positions, like drive. If you can remove your key in all positions that is a safety issue that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. These issues could be due to improper installation of your lock cylinder, which only becomes apparent over long-term use, or a worn key hole. A locksmith can take out the ignition cylinder and assess the tumblers to fix any issues that may be allowing the key to slide out or refusing to turn to the needed positions.
If you’re experiencing one of these issues and you don’t want to involve a pricy mechanic, it’s often less expensive to call in a locksmith to have your ignition cylinder checked. If your ignition cylinder is the culprit, a locksmith has a few options at their disposal, including rekeying the lock all the way up to replacing the ignition cylinder with a completely new one.
Problems with your ignition lock cylinder can leave you stranded, but if you take proactive action at the first sign of trouble, you may possibly prevent that scenario from occurring. Even if you have to have the lock cylinder replaced, it’s better than having to deal with an emergency locksmith service call in the middle of the night in a strange parking lot, and cheaper, too. Pay attention to the performance of your ignition lock cylinder and at the first sign of trouble schedule a professional intervention, like one from your friendly Portsmouth, VA locksmiths at Portsmouth Mobile Locksmith.
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