When you get in your car, you expect that when you insert the key into the ignition, it will turn. A vast majority of the time it does, but every once in a while there is a hiccup. Well, actually, hiccup is the mildest form of failure. Hiccups, for the most part, can be cured with a shot of lubrication. Other problems can be much more difficult, requiring time, money and professional help.

The Key May Not Be the Problem.

The key often gets blamed first because it is right there in your hand. But it isn’t necessarily the problem every time. There is a whole line of ignition components that could be causing the problem.

It May Be the Ignition Lock Cylinder.

The key goes into a part called the ignition lock cylinder. This cylinder contains the springs and tumblers that match up with the notches or cuts on the key. These tumblers can and do wear excessively, especially if not lubricated periodically. With too much wear, the key will not rotate the plug in the ignition lock cylinder. Tumblers can also break or jam after excessive wear, bringing all progress to a halt.

Or It Could Be the Ignition Switch.

The ignition lock cylinder is held in the ignition housing. This housing carries the linkage that connects the ignition lock cylinder to the ignition switch.

The ignition switch is what actually controls the electronic portion of the assembly. It has the corresponding electrical positions of Lock, Off, Accessory, On, and Start that the key goes through on the front side. There are several other accessories that connect with the ignition housing, such as the steering wheel locking bolt, the key buzzer, and the shifter interlock.

Time to Call in a Professional!

Didn’t know there was so much in there, did you? Yes, there are a lot of things that your simple key is required to operate and activate. Each of them in their own way can cause the key not to turn. That is when it is time to call in a professional. This is one of the automotive areas that overlap for the mechanic and the locksmith.

You May Need a Locksmith – Or A Mechanic.

Either should be able to diagnose the cause of the key not turning. And yes, either can replace the whole housing assembly if necessary. But if it is just worn keys or a worn or damaged ignition lock cylinder, the locksmith can often make the repair more efficiently and at a lower cost. But in all honesty, problems with the electric ignition switch or with the shifter interlock can best be solved by a qualified mechanic.

Customers frequently jump to the conclusion that their key not working must be the result of a bad ignition and call me to replace their ignition. However, the ignition (i.e., the ignition lock cylinder) may not be the problem. It might be, or it could be the ignition switch, which is normally replaced by a mechanic, not a locksmith, due to its location, etc. Simply replacing the ignition will not solve the problem.

The Symptoms May Suggest Who Can Best Help.

So do not be alarmed or upset if a mechanic or a locksmith sends you to the other service provider. If I send you to a mechanic, it is because experience with certain symptoms allows for a diagnosis of the problem, sometimes over the phone. It is not a brush off; it is out of a sincere desire on my part to have your job done correctly if it is not in my area of expertise. If I replace your ignition cylinder as you have requested, but it wasn’t the problem, it’s a waste of time for both of us, and you still have to go to a mechanic to have the ignition switch replaced (if that was the real problem) .

Call Us at 618-466-9347 for Help With Your Key Problem.

If you are having problems, give us a call, and we will do our best to see that you get the best advice on what the problem really is and whether we can solve it for you or not. We do want your business, but only that part which falls into the category of locksmithing. Call us today at 618-466-9347.