Here’s how the ignition switch works
Your car has two basic electrical systems: primary and secondary. The secondary system runs on battery power only. It allows your car’s clock to keep time when the vehicle is turned off.
This second system comes into play when you put the key in the second location. If you’re waiting in your car listening to music, the secondary system is working. The primary system is more powerful. For it to step in, the secondary system must be switched on. When switched on, it closes the circuit in the primary system and allows current to flow.
Power is sent to the starter solenoid and various components of the ignition system, including the starter motor, ignition coil, and spark plugs. That spark ignites the fuel and gets the car going. To use your vehicle’s ignition switch, you must first insert the appropriate key into the switch (usually located on the steering column).
Alternatively, many newer cars use a key fob to communicate wirelessly with the ignition switch; you press the start button instead of turning the key.
In most cases, for security reasons, an immobilizer is also used in the form of a microchip (transponder) in the key or key fob that tells the car’s computer that the vehicle can be started. If the transponder signal doesn’t match what the immobilizer expects (or there is no signal), the vehicle won’t start.
Is an ignition switch the same as a lock cylinder? No, it’s not. Ignition switches and lock cylinders are related but separate components in your vehicle’s ignition system.
The ignition switch is an electrical component that activates the starter and ignition system when turned to various positions with a key. It contains electrical contacts to power accessories, operate the engine, and start the engine.
The lock cylinder is the mechanical housing into which the ignition key is physically inserted and rotated. It is the cylinder mechanism that rotates the cylinder with the precision-cut key. This rotation electrically activates the ignition switch, which provides power to various systems.
Can I start my car if my ignition switch is bad?
You may be lucky and still be able to drive your car. If this happens, go to an auto repair shop or car dealership immediately. This is a problem that needs to be solved as soon as possible, because it’s not just a startup problem.
There is a real risk that the car will stall while driving. This is very dangerous on the highway etc.