Our vehicles are some of our most prized assets.
Having the ability to drive independently to and from where we need to be on a
daily basis is both a convenience and a privilege. Most of the time, we can
count on our vehicles operating smoothly and getting us from place to place
without any difficulty. However, we may occasionally run into problems with our
vehicles that may be caused by even the smallest or seemingly inconspicuous
vehicle part.
What is an Ignition Cylinder For?
One such vehicle part that is small, but critical
when it comes to our ability to actually drive and operate our vehicles, is the
ignition cylinder. Your vehicle’s ignition cylinder sits tucked inside of the
paneling of your car just to the right of your steering wheel. The key slot
where you insert your car key is the top part of the ignition cylinder. Hidden
inside of the paneling lies the rest of the cylinder.
Although this particular vehicle part may not
seem very important, it plays one of the largest roles when it comes to
starting and operating your car. Keep reading to find out what kind of symptoms
may present themselves when your ignition cylinder is failing, as well as how
to go about receiving an immediate repair or replacement at an affordable cost.
Faulty Ignition Cylinder Symptoms You May
Experience
- Issues Powering Your Vehicle
If you put your key in the ignition slot and your
vehicle refuses to turn on after twisting your key, it is possible that
something may be wrong with your ignition cylinder. Wiring inside of your
ignition cylinder alerts the vehicle’s electrical system when the key has been
inserted and turned in the slot. If something is faulty with the wires or there
has been an electrical disconnect of some sort, you will be unable to power on
your vehicle.
- Your Vehicle is Stalling or Stops Suddenly
Similarly, if the wires inside of and near the
ignition cylinder are faulty or failing, you may only be able to turn on your
vehicle for a short period of time before it shuts off. You may even be driving
when all of a sudden, your vehicle stalls and grinds to a halt. This can be a
particularly scary and dangerous symptom to experience. Regardless of whether
or not your ignition cylinder is to blame, if you are experiencing stalling of
any kind, stop driving and contact a professional immediately.
- You Cannot Insert or Turn Your Vehicle Key
Debris and dirt can get stuck in your ignition
cylinder, causing it to wear down faster or block your vehicle key from
entering into the slot in the first place. If you do notice that something
appears to be stuck in your ignition cylinder, do not try and force it out. You
should also never try to force your key into the ignition slot either. If you
are experiencing this particular issue, it is best to wait for professional
help so you do not further damage the ignition cylinder or other parts of your
car.
- Your Key is Stuck in the Ignition Cylinder
Alternatively, you may find that you cannot get
your vehicle key out of the ignition slot. In this case, you will want to not
force the key out. KEys can get stuck in ignition slots for a variety of reasons
and they should never be removed using force. Instead, try wiggling the
steering wheel back and forth with one hand while you gently try to extract the
key with the other. Keys most often get stuck due to certain safety mechanisms,
so it is possible that you may be able to override the mechanism and extract
the key. If you cannot remove the key easily, it is time to call a
professional.
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