5 Symptoms of a Bad Ignition Switch
If there’s no key in the ignition switch (or starter switch), the steering wheel will lock. This is meant to prevent the car from starting without a key. But it’s not much of a deterrent to thieves who know how to get around it or wire into your car.
You’ll probably never have an issue with this component, but a faulty ignition switch can be a big problem. Luckily, the symptoms of a bad ignition switch are pretty noticeable (especially if you experience multiple signs), and the replacement cost isn’t as high as most people think.
Symptoms of a Bad Ignition Switch
How do you know if your ignition switch or relay is bad? Here are the 5 most common signs that indicate a bad ignition switch. If you have at least two or three of these symptoms, it’s very likely that your ignition switch is to blame.
1) Key Won’t Turn
Excessive wear or damage to the ignition switch often causes the key to not engage properly in the lock. This usually gets worse over time. You may notice the problem gradually worsens until the key no longer goes in as easily as it used to, and then the key won’t go in at all, or the key goes in but won’t turn.
Make sure the ignition isn’t working by turning the steering wheel back and forth while trying to turn the key.
2) Car Won’t Start
The ignition coil draws battery power and uses it to ignite the spark plugs. If there’s a problem with this switch, your car won’t start. There are a few other things to check, including: B. The battery, but the best place to start is with the ignition system.
Listen to the noises your car makes. Is it completely empty and won’t start at all? Then a dead battery is probably the culprit. But you’re not on the safe side. A dead battery can also be caused by a fault in the ignition system.
3) Flickering dashboard lights
In older vehicles, the switch can fail over time due to wear. When the switch wears out, one of the first signs is that you no longer hear the main relay click. Check the dashboard lights just to be sure.
Then put the key in the second position. If there is a problem with the ignition, the dashboard will usually go dark. Move it to the start position and note any warning lights that come on.
If the light goes out when you turn the key back to the second position, then the problem is with the wiring in the ignition switch. While driving, you may notice lights flickering on the dashboard. This is a warning to check what’s going on.
Leave this to a qualified automotive electrician. The current flowing through these cables can cause serious injury if you don’t know what you’re doing.
4) Accessories won’t turn on
If there isn’t enough power to start the car, there won’t be enough power for the accessories in the car. If the radio doesn’t work or the air conditioning won’t turn on, check your ignition system.
5) Car Stalls While Driving
If your car shuts off for no reason while you’re driving, it doesn’t have enough power. This is often an indication of a problem with the ignition system or battery. If your car stalls for no reason, pull over to the side of the road and call for help.
It can’t be emphasized enough how important this is for road safety: if your car loses power while you’re driving, that’s a real emergency.