Identifying the Signs and Causes of Ignition Switch Problems in Your Vehicle

Vehicles with ignitions problems may fail to start and create issues on the road while driving. So if you experience unexpected shutdowns or electrical problems, be sure to check the ignition system. 

It’s the ignition system that starts an internal combustion engine. To get the electrical system running, the key creates the pathway for electricity. However, if the ignition switch fails, there will be no way to start it. Look out for the following signs that indicate ignition failure and get a proper diagnosis to prevent costly repairs in the future.    

Car Fails to Start

The most common sign of ignition trouble is a vehicle that won’t start. Though you can get your vehicle to start activating its engine, it will generally be pretty slow if there’s a problem with the ignition. This is usually caused due to corrosion in the electrical circuit. The corrosion is directly related to the ignition system and may prevent the flow of the proper amount of electricity.

Key Won’t Turn

A key that won’t turn ignition is another cause of the ignition switch problem. Turn the steering wheel back and forth to ensure that the ignition lock isn’t engaged. If the key still doesn’t turn, it may be because of excessive wear inside the ignition.    

Worn Key or Ignition Cylinder

Since mechanical things tend to wear out, mechanical keys and key cylinders used in vehicles become frayed over time. Moreover, heavy keychains add more stress to the ignition cylinder, causing rapid deterioration of the switch. The key might as well fall out of the cylinder or fail to turn out of the lock position. This is one of the reasons why your ignition switch stops working.

Silent Starter Motor

If you turn the key and it produces no noise, there’s a chance that the ignition switch may not be able to create the required electrical pathway. A dead battery may also fail to get power from the battery to the starter motor. You can test this by checking if the other accessories in the vehicle are working, such as the radio or power windows, when the key is locked in position. If the battery is working fine, there might be an ignition issue.   

At CATECM, we provide the best ECM repair solutions to deal with your vehicle’s ignition problems. In addition, our technicians specialize in Caterpillar diesel truck parts, ECM computers, ECM programming, and more. Contact us today for more information.