Ignition Cylinder Problems – What to do about Them!

If asked to name the most important parts of a car, most people will say engine, tires, radiator or exhaust, but how many will think about their car’s ignition cylinder? We all know that without that all-important ignition system, the vehicle won’t start; even little kids know that! The ignition cylinder needs to be in good working order along with the proper use of the right keys. That’s why our Stone Mountain Locksmith Pro technicians offer the area’s finest ignition cylinder service; we understand how vital it is to have a safe and properly working ignition system for your car, no matter what make or model you are driving. 

Now what? 

The sad truth is that we usually don’t discover ignition cylinder problems until it is too late. By the time we find that the ignition key won’t turn or come back out, we are already to get to our destination. Think about it; we get dressed up and ready to go to work or on a date. Maybe we are getting ready to leave for a job interview or to pick up friends at the airport. Our minds are on our destination, and plans, and NOT on whether our car’s ignition cylinder will work or not. It’s only once we are inside the car, buckled in and ready to leave that we sadly discover that the car won’t start. Here’s where the frustration sets in, along with the call to AAA or to a local mechanic for help. Our recommendation is simple; relax and run through our easy to follow checklist first! You might just save yourself some frustration, time and money! 

You mean it’s not my ignition cylinder? 

Motor vehicles are much like human bodies; they often give symptoms of “sickness” that can be interpreted in different ways. Just because your vehicle won’t start doesn’t necessarily mean that the problem is with your ignition system. This is true for drivers here in Stone Mountain, GA and wherever else cars and drivers are found, including your area. Our professional recommendation is this; run through our checklist first and then, if your car still won’t start correctly, call for help. 

Park gear 

First things first; check your gear, your car’s gear that is. You absolutely need to be in the PARK gear and none other. It’s laughably simple to check as it only takes a few seconds to wiggle the gear shift and make sure that PARK is where your gear is and not DRIVE or in-between gears. Be sure to put your parking brake on before you check the gears! This too is a simple step but every year people are injured or killed due to cars rolling forward or backward because the parking brake was not applied and the driver was distracted and thinking of something else when the vehicle started moving. 

Is your steering wheel locked? 

Next, check the status of your car’s steering wheel. Is it locked up? This sometimes happens when a little too much pressure is applied to it. Getting your steering wheel unlocked is easy; just wiggle it firmly back and forth. If you don’t, the key might not come back out of the ignition, leading you to think that the ignition cylinder is damaged, when it is really not. Many a roadside emergency technician has been needlessly called because of this little known issue. You don’t need to make this same mistake; simply apply some pressure to the steering wheel so that it unlocks and moves once again. 

Drained battery 

A drained car battery is a leading cause for engines not starting. This can often be confused with ignition cylinder problems when in fact, it is entirely something else! This check is also simple. Remember to put your parking brake on and then see if your headlights are working. You can also check your power windows and power seats, your car radio, windshield wipers, and your flashers. If they are working, the problem is not your battery and it’s time to move on to something else. 

Wrong key inserted 

It’s entirely possible to sometimes insert the wrong transponder key into the ignition. Obviously the car will not start, and sometimes they key won’t even turn, or come back out! Many transponder keys look somewhat alike and when roommates or co-workers get keys mixed up, it’s easy to grab the wrong one and attempt to use it. This mix-up has nothing to do with ignition cylinder failure but it may seem that way at first. 

A word of caution… 

If none of the above has helped and your car still won’t start, it may be time to call for help but bear in mind that not all help is the same. If you call a mechanic, they may need to tow your car in to the shop in order to work on it there. The same goes for your car dealership. While there is nothing wrong with that, you can save yourself some money and time by simply calling our shop or that of your favorite local automotive locksmith. Since we are mobile, we come to where you need us; no tow trucks ever needed! That alone saves time and money. Bear in mind that the ignition system to a car is very much like a big lock; it has the same internal mechanisms as one and any full service automotive locksmith that is experienced and established will be able to provide you with highly professional locksmith service that includes ignition cylinder repair or replacement. 

Find your locksmith before you need him! 

Be proactive and do a little locksmith research in your local area. Do this before you ever need the services of a home, auto or business locksmith expert. Find an affordable, fully certified locksmith shop that offers mobile service, 24-hour emergency assistance, and licensed, bonded and insured locksmith technicians. Find one or two shops that meet your criteria and add their numbers to your mobile devices for quick access to them at anytime.