Our vehicles are made up of various components and parts. There are
some parts of your vehicle that you may be more familiar with than
others. Sometimes, you know exactly what the problem is, but other times
you may find yourself puzzled as to where to even begin if your vehicle
is not functioning properly. One particular small, but very important
part of your car can cause some problems if it is not working. This
piece is known as your vehicle’s
ignition cylinder or ignition switch.
Your ignition cylinder sits on the driver’s side of the vehicle,
usually near or on the steering wheel column on the right-handside. When
you see your ignition cylinder in your car, you will likely only see
the top of the cylinder itself. The cylinder is comprised of a flat,
rounded top with a slot in the center where you insert your key, with
the cylindrical part of the switch being kept out of sight within the
steering wheel column. Because it is kept out of sight, many do not
often think of their ignition cylinder as being the source of the
problem when experiencing vehicle issues.
Potential ignition cylinder issues
There are several indicators and symptoms your vehicle will exhibit
if your car’s ignition switch is not working properly. Remember not to
panic if you are experiencing any of the following vehicle conditions
and know that if your ignition cylinder is the problem, they can be
easily fixed and replaced.
There are several reasons why your car’s engine will not turn on. For
example, you may experience engine, transmission or battery issues that
could cause your vehicle to not respond when you insert and turn your
key. Your ignition cylinder may also be responsible for this symptom. A
faulty, damaged or worn-out ignition cylinder will not properly turn on
the car. If you are unable to start your vehicle, consider that your
ignition cylinder may be to blame.
Similarly, if your car will turn on, but then stalls or eventually
turns off, your ignition switch may be the source of the problem. If the
cylinder is slipping, the will commonly cause the car to stall. The
cylinder may be able to temporary hold the key in place and keep the
engine on, but if it is worn out it may eventually fail while you are
driving or trying to turn on your car and cause it to stall.
- Your car’s electronic system will not turn on
If you are unable to get any response from your vehicle, this could
also signal an issue with your car’s ignition cylinder. Typically, you
can twist your key in the cylinder once or for half a turn and the
electric panels in your car will light up and respond. You may be able
to turn on your lights or your car’s radio without necessarily turning
on the engine. If you fail to get a response, your ignition cylinder
could be to blame.
How to solve ignition cylinder issues
If you are facing one of the above scenarios and you suspect that
your ignition cylinder is to blame for your vehicle’s issues, there are a
couple things that you can and should do to resolve the problem
Read more on: Ignition Cylinder Problems
