SYMPTOMS OF CAR IGNITION PROBLEMS
Even children know what the ignition does; it starts your car! Who doesn't remember going for a ride in the family car and after climbing in the back seat, seeing your driving parent put the key in the ignition and…off we go! It was like having an on/off switch located in the column of the steering wheel. In the "old days" it was exactly that. The ignition's primary purpose was to supply electrical current to the ignition system circuit at the same time that the engine was being cranked.
More modern ignitions do more; much more! Now the ignition system supplies electricity through an accessory position on the switch so that other components of your vehicle can also function. These include heater blower motors, windshield wipers, radio, power seats, power windows, air conditioning, power door locks, electronic automatic transmissions and many others. What it all comes down to is that your vehicle's ignition system is a complex electronic device that allows you to activate the starting system as well as powers many electrical systems throughout the vehicle.
So what's the bottom line? It's this. The more parts, the more can go wrong! Even new ignition systems can sometimes fail and it's smart to know the main symptoms of car ignition problems and what to do about them.
SIGNS THAT YOUR IGNITION SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING RIGHT
The most obvious - does your engine fail to turn over when the ignition key is turned to the start position?
Idling car - you come up to red light and the car is on but not moving. Does the car stall out? Is the ignition hot when you touch it? Does this happen frequently? Call for repair service as soon as possible as a suddenly stalling car while driving can be highly dangerous!
Jiggle the steering wheel - if your car won't start and the key seems stuck; it may be that your steering wheel is locked. Don't use force to remove the key, the dangers of breakage and additional problems are great. Simply jiggle the steering wheel back and forth a few times to release it.
No radio - With your key in the "on" position, does the radio work? How about the headlights? Many times these symptoms are mistaken for a bad battery when in fact it is the ignition system that is not working.
Leave no stone unturned and assume it's your ignition. Take a moment to see if your radio volume is turned all the way down or even on. If you are inside your garage, see if you can see your headlights shine on the garage wall. If not, you may have to make sure that the car is in "park" and walk around to the front to see if the headlights are working.
Multiple turn-overs - no, not the bakery kind! Does your vehicle need several engine turn overs in order to start? This is another classic symptom of ignition switch failure. Your repair professional will be able to accurately test your vehicle's ignition with the use of a multimeter. A simple diagnostic check will determine if there are shorts in the electrical system that is causing the problem.
TRY THIS TEST
Turn the ignition to the "on" position but don't actually start the car. What do you notice? Did the headlights, dashboard lights, oil and brake lights turn on? Did any warning lights turn on? If not, your ignition switch is the most likely culprit. On the other hand, sometimes these items alone work but the car won't start. Why is noticing all this important? The more symptoms you notice and describe to your Virginia Beach, VA repair person the better. Sure, he or she can figure all this out on his own but time is money and putting your car through these tests just saved a good half hour or repair service.
You may have noticed that many of these symptoms sound like a simple battery problem. So how can you tell? In many cases, you will hear a fast clicking sound when the battery is involved. This signals that your starter motor is trying to engage and it can't. Also, the rest of your dashboard lights will be dim to dead and the electronic system is completely unresponsive. Be sure to check and see if your transmission is the PARK gear and not in any position. Many times Virginia Beach Locksmith has received ignition repair calls and the only problem was a simple gear shift!
WARNING - Your car's ignition system runs on electrical current. Be careful if attempting to repair or replace your starter switch or any wiring by yourself! Make double sure that you have a trusted mechanic or an automotive locksmith in Virginia Beach, VA that you can call on. If not, be sure that metal objects like tools or other keys away from the wires.
THE BEST REPAIR SERVICE
Are you an experienced auto mechanic or locksmith? If not, you may want to work with one as this isn't like changing a tire or adding motor oil, it requires skill and know-how to safely do ignition change service. Consider calling a licensed, bonded and insured automotive locksmith in Virginia Beach, VA instead of going through your car dealer or local auto repair shop. If your ignition system is out, your car won't run and that means involving a tow truck and paying their fees on top of the repair bill.