The Purpose of an Ignition Cylinder

The primary purpose of your ignition cylinder is to turn on your vehicle. This small, cylinder shaped device is usually found on the steering wheel on the right-hand side. After you insert your key into the cylinder and twist, your car turns on. Because they are used so often, ignition cylinders have a tendency to wear out over time. Remember that this is a common problem and it is unlikely that you did anything specific to damage the ignition cylinder. Many of us drive, enter and exit our vehicles multiple times per day. This means our ignition cylinder is used just as often.

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms with your vehicle, then you may have a problem with your ignition switch. There might be several indicators that your ignition cylinder is not working correctly, but the most common symptoms of a faulty cylinder appear below.

Car Will Not Start

This is the most common indication that your ignition switch is broken. This can be an unsettling and stressful problem to have. It is possible after a few tries you may be able to get the car working again. It is highly advised in this scenario you take it to a locksmith as soon as possible to have the switch looked at. Even if you were able to get the starter working again or are able to every now and then, a faulty ignition switch could leave you vulnerable to a potentially hazardous situation. Driving the car will run the risk of the ignition cylinder failing while you are driving, which may cause even more hassle. Take your car in to a locksmith right away if you notice it does not work at all or only some of the time.

Your Car’s Electrical System Will Not Turn On

If you cannot get your car started at all, are you able to turn on the dashboard and the other electrical systems to your car? Usually with just one rotation on most vehicles, you are able to turn on the interior lights and other features. If this does not work after you attempt to turn the key just enough to typically turn on the power, this could indicate a problem. Your ignition cylinder, in this case, will need to be looked at to make sure it is the ignition cylinder that is the problem and not a different issue.

The Switch Will Not Rotate

This would likely indicate that something is either blocking the entrance of the ignition switch or is damaged within the mechanism itself. It could be that a loose piece is preventing you from inserting your key properly and rotating it. Be sure to examine the ignition cylinder as best you can and check if you can visibly see anything blocking the ignition cylinder entrance.