There is a small, but very important part of your car that helps it start, stop, and drive smoothly. This piece is known as an ignition cylinder and is a vehicle part you probably think little of. That is, until you suddenly find yourself with a broken ignition cylinder and experiencing the unsettling symptoms that arise from it. There are three primary indicators to look for that point to a faulty ignition cylinder. Know that the symptoms of a faulty ignition cylinder can mimic other problems that may arise with vehicles, such as a dead battery. However, it is important to consider if your ignition cylinder may be the source of your trouble. Although ignition cylinders may be small, they can halt the operation of your vehicle altogether if they are broken or worn out.
What is an Ignition Cylinder Exactly?
On the right–hand side of the steering wheel in your vehicle, you will notice the silver disc with a key slot where you insert your key to start your vehicle. This is the top part of your car’s ignition cylinder. The rest of the cylinder sits several inches down into the paneling of your car. When you insert your key into the slot, you are activating your vehicle’s ignition cylinder. The cylinder then knows to hold the car key firmly in place while you are driving so it does not slip out.
Symptom 1 – Your Vehicle Will Not Start
One of the most common symptoms of a faulty ignition cylinder is a vehicle that will not start. While this can be the most jarring or concerning symptom to arise from a faulty ignition cylinder, it is quite common. If your ignition cylinder is broken or damaged in any way, it will not be able to either hold your car key in place or recognize that it is in the slot. This will then result in the car not starting.
Symptom 2 – Your Vehicle Starts, but Stalls
The second symptom may involve actually getting the car to start, but then at some point, it stalls out and stops. This can happen while you are initially trying to get going somewhere in your vehicle, or unfortunately, while you are already on the road and driving. This is why it is important to recognize and address any ignition cylinder issues as quickly as they arise. If a small symptom of a faulty cylinder goes unnoticed, it may result in a frightening ordeal of driving and then suddenly having the car stall. Even at the slightest indication of a stall, you should consider that your ignition cylinder may be to blame and have the issues addressed by a professional as soon as possible.
Symptom 3 – There is No Electrical Response
The final common symptom you may experience if you have a faulty ignition cylinder is a car that will offer no response whatsoever when you insert and turn the key. Typically, you will see the electrical paneling in your vehicle light up with just one twist of the key. If you attempt this and receive no response, it is likely that your ignition cylinder may be to blame.
Time to Call a Mobile Locksmith
If you are experiencing one or more of the symptoms described above, know that there is a sure way to get the help you need fast. To get your vehicle symptoms addressed and the proper repairs made to your ignition cylinder, call a locksmith right away. Locksmiths work with the locks, keys, and their associated components to make repairs, replacements, and upgrades of all kinds. Ignition cylinder repairs and replacements can be performed by a certified locksmith with skill and ease. Thanks to the training that all certified locksmiths are required to undergo, you can trust them with your ignition cylinder repairs.
You should refrain from trying to replace your ignition cylinder yourself. This is a bad idea and could result in expensive damages to your vehicle by your own hand. It is advised that you work with a professional lock and key expert, no matter what the situation is. Ignition cylinders are embedded deep into the paneling of one’s vehicle and are difficult to reach due to their placement. Locksmiths have the tools and skills necessary to reach your ignition cylinder, replace it with a new one, and get you back on the road as quickly as possible.
It is important to know that you should contact a locksmith that offers mobile services if you do, in fact, need a locksmith to help you replace your ignition cylinder. Mobile locksmiths are trained and certified lock and key specialists that can perform locksmithing repairs and replacements on-site or even roadside, as might be the case for a broken ignition cylinder. Since you may be stranded just about anywhere in the event of a failing ignition cylinder, you will want to have a professional come to your location, rather than the other way around. This is possible when you contact a mobile locksmith. Rather than frantically calling around for a tow truck and then to a dealership to squeeze you in for a replacement, you can simply have a professional lock and key repair specialist come right to your location.
Need a Mobile Locksmithing Expert in Your Area?
Locksmith & Key Oak Park is your go-to locksmith in the Oak Park, Illinois area. Our mobile locksmithing services allow us to travel anywhere in and around Oak Park to help customers with vehicle locksmithing issues of all kinds. We can replace the locks on your vehicle, rekey your vehicle locks, help get you back into a locked vehicle, and of course, repair or replace broken ignition cylinders. Our expert locksmiths in Oak Park also help with residential and business locksmithing requests, so do not hesitate to give us a call. No matter what security needs or concerns you have, if you call Locksmith & Key Oak Park, we promise to connect you with a professional and trusted lock and key expert ASAP!
