Five Warning Signs Your Ignition Cylinder Is Failing

The ignition cylinder will typically provide warnings months prior to becoming completely dysfunctional, a hard-to-turn key, a double start attempt, these are just a few red flags that will show up before the vehicle owner is left stranded, so if noticing the signs early, there will be plenty of opportunities to repair it on one's own terms rather than under unfavorable conditions.

1. There is resistance when inserting the key

The inability to insert the key without some struggle or forcing shows the wafers in the ignition cylinder to be worn, the condition will get much worse without repairs, meaning action must be taken immediately.

2. Start requires some jiggling

This symptom suggests that the cylinders are no longer operating properly, once the trick stops working, expect the ignition switch to fail, preventing the start of the engine.

3. Key doesn't come out freely

In case the ignition cylinder starts holding the key, forcing it to come out may lead to breaking the blade off. In case that happens, a more elaborate and costly procedure will follow.

4. Power interruptions upon start-up

Intermittent lighting of dashboard or other electrical problems upon starting the engine suggest that the contacts inside the cylinder have gone bad such a malfunction can easily lead to a failure to start.

5. No start symptoms

The inability of a car to start even when there is sufficient charge shows that either the ignition itself or the key is worn out and in some cases, replacing the key helps alleviate the problem, which is why we recommend checking both.