What to Do Ignition Cylinder Problems

If you ever find yourself in a situation where your key won’t turn in the ignition of your vehicle then there are a number of solutions that you can use to make sure that without a doubt that your vehicle is safe and secure and that the ignition problems disappear altogether.

There are a couple of different solutions and things that you can look for whenever you’re facing this problem. The issue may be the key, or the ignition cylinder or it could be user error. In this article we are gong to go through the different problems it may be and what you need to look for to make sure what the problem actually is.

Ensure the Vehicle is in Park:

Vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission are not designed to start if the transmission are not in park or neutral. So, if your vehicle is in drive then that might be the problem and the indicator on why your vehicle isn’t starting. Trying to start your vehicle in anything else but park can actually cause damage to your vehicle.

Inspect the Key for Damage:

If your key won’t turn when you insert your key in the ignition then one problem may be the key. If the key is damaged just a little bit, like a small bend then there’s a chance that it won’t have capability to engage into the correct pins to the depth necessary to spind the cylinder. The best option to solve this problem is to examine the key for signs of excessive wear and tear or rounding and broken teeth. Any of these problems could be the reason why your ignition cylinder won’t turn.

If the key is damaged then there are a couple of different options that you can take to solve that problem. One solution is replacing the key. Which just means visiting a local locksmith, and they can make the key for you in no time. The second solution to this problem is repairing the key and unbending it yourself, of course this is the solution depending on where your key is damaged.

Find a wooden or rubber mallet and unbend the key with that, and you will be able to use your key in no time. It’s a simple fix that just requires a sturdy surface like a table to be under the key and job is solved.

Sometimes the fix is as simple as making sure that nothing is stuck on the key. Sometimes things get stuck to the teeth of your key causing it not to function properly. For example, sometimes while opening things something get’s stuck to your key and this causes damage to your vehicle.

There are some signs to look out for before your key begins to wear down. You might be able to engage the pins needed to start the vehicle by inserting the key all the way, and just simply pull it back out slightly.
Once this begins to happen then its probably best to start looking for another key.

Check to See if the Steering Wheel is Locked:

When you turned your car off if there was any pressure placed on the steering wheel then that might be the problem that caused your wheel to have locked in the first place. This problem occurs because the wheel ends up locked in place with the steering pin. Check to see if your steering wheel is locked by simply turning the wheel, and if it doesn’t move or only moves slightly then the wheel is locked.

To get your wheel unlocked just simple wiggle the wheel back and forth while turning the key. Apply light pressure to the key and wiggle the steering wheel back and forth until the lock disengages. The key will be able to turn freely once the ignition on the steering wheel is unlocked.

Canned Air:

Another solution to a an ignition problem can be canned air if its proven that the problem exists because of a dirty ignition port. Might as well try this solution, because there’s always a chance that this is the problem. Just take the canned air spray it into the key hole in short spurts, and there is a chance that the problems are solved.

Issues Powering on the Vehicle:

One symptom of a potential ignition lock cylinder problem are issues powering the vehicle. The first go to answer the majority of people go towards whenever their car doesn’t start is that there battery is dead, but sometimes that’s not the case. As the ignition lock cylinder is repeatedly turned on every time you use the vehicle it eventually will begin to wear out. A worn ignition cylinder may not function correctly when the key is inserted correctly.

The issue may grow and will be evident on different parts of the key. Depending on the position of the key it will not work correctly, and to solve this problem may require jostling the key before it works again. This issue will worsen until it’s solved or until it completely fails.

Car Not Starting:

This is another symptom of a possible ignition lock cylinder that is normally blamed on the battery, but sometimes it’s not the battery it’s the ignition cylinder. The ignition lock cylinder is connected to an electronic ignition switch, that works to power and start the vehicle. If there is a wear out or it breaks, there is a chance that it may prevent the ignition from starting in the first place.