Top 7 Annoying Causes of a Faulty Ignition Switch

You may be great about keeping track of your keys, but you are still going to find yourself stuck if you can’t turn over the ignition on your car. There are many reasons why your ignition switch might fail – some of which you can prevent and some of which you can’t. Good car maintenance and having a Mesa autolocksmith on speed dial can help get you out of most jams.

Knowing what can cause the problem can also help you know what to do in case of an emergency. Here are seven of the top annoying causes of a faulty ignition switch:

1. Broken Key

If the ignition is having a hard time turning over or your key has weakened, there’s a chance you could break off the key when you put it in the ignition and try to turn it over. Once the key is broken off inside the lock, you won’t be able to do anything to drive the car until you get a technician to remove the key or repair the ignition. Make sure you know a Mesa emergency car locksmith you can trust to call in these situations.

2. Worn Out Key

Today’s ignitions are finely tuned, and the keys have many features
to increase security. The ignition and key are designed to work closely together so that thieves can’t use tricks to get the car started. So, if the key starts to wear out, there is a good chance that the ignition won’t recognize it, and you won’t be able to start the car.

This scenario is an excellent reminder to get a spare set of car keys before you need them. You shouldn’t wait until you are locked out of your car or aren’t able to start it to get a spare set. If you already have a spare on hand, you can use it and avoid any delays.

3. Failed Transponder Key

A transponder key has extra layers of security to ensure that no one but the owner of a vehicle can start it. A transponder key has a programmed chip inside that communications with a chip inside the ignition. If the ignition does not recognize the chip in the key, it won’t start.

Transponder keys can fail for a variety of reasons. If your ignition won’t start and you have a transponder key, first make sure that the battery is working, and then talk to a locksmith who can either reprogram or replace your key. It’s also a good idea to have a spare copy of your transponder key made so you can have it available in an emergency.

4. Key Stuck in Ignition

Your key should come out of the ignition easily after you have turned off the vehicle. If it doesn’t, it could be because the steering lock column is experiencing binding. You may be able to jiggle the steering column slightly to unlock it. However, if that doesn’t work, you may have some damage in the steering column that needs to be repaired.

5. Ignition Fails to Turn

Perhaps you put the key in the ignition and it doesn’t turn. You may be experiencing the same problem with the steering column. You can try jiggling the steering column a bit to get the ignition to turn, or you can check to see if your wheels are turned against a curb and then straighten out the wheels. If neither of these options work, you may need to lubricate the binding switches or you might need other repair to the steering column.

6. Problem with the Wafers

Inside the vehicle’s ignition is a set of wafers that intersect with
the grooves on the key. If the wafers are jammed up or worn out, they won’t fall in place with the key properly and the ignition won’t start. Sometimes, even built-up dirt and grime can get in the way of the wafers working properly. You will need to either have the wafers cleaned or repaired, depending on the what the issue is.

7. Manufacturer Defect

Many quality control steps are built into the vehicle manufacturing process, but mistakes still happen. Defective parts used right from the start can cause your ignition to fail at any time during your ownership. If it happens relatively early on, repair or replacement may be covered under your warranty. If not, you’ll need to work with an experienced locksmith to have the repairs done.

You never know when your ignition or key can fail. Rather than waiting until it happens and being stuck on the side of the road for who knows how long, you should plan ahead and have a spare set of car keys available, as well as the number of a good Mesa mobile auto locksmith. Even if you have to call in help, you’ll be on your way quickly.

U.S. Key Service is an experienced Mesa auto locksmith that can replaced lost Mesa car keys, repair worn out car ignitions, replace worn out car locks, and more. We can help you get back into your car and on your way quickly so that you don’t have to bake in the hot, Arizona sun. Call us today to learn more about our services, or put our number in your phone so you have a locksmith ready when you need one. We can also make you a spare set of keys now before you are facing an emergency.

Published by:

Thomas Thilgen – US Key Service