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What You Should Do When You Have Ignition Problems

Even if you have a newer car, you can still experience a problem with your ignition. This is simply the way things are, not all of the time but sometimes. In some instances, it is just unavoidable. You stick your key in the ignition and nothing! We’ve seen this happen too many times at Locksmith Evanston in Evanston, IL. If you begin to notice problems with your ignition, it is best to address the problem quickly before the problem gets worse. In some instances, you might even have to replace your ignition altogether. Sometimes, the key will even break off in the ignition making the problem even worse than it already is. When you have a problem with your ignition, you may not know the first thing to do. We have put together some helpful information that just might help alleviate some of your anxiety. It could be something as simple as your key in the wrong position. Knowing what to do when there is ignition trouble may also enable you to help a fellow motorist.

Based on the type of car you have; you may actually be able to resolve the matter on your own. There are various ignition cylinder designs. This means that there could easily be different solutions to help remedy your ignition issue. Some ignition cylinders only require that you lightly wiggle the steering column back and forth in order to successfully release a key that is stuck. This is a technique that has proven to work for several motorist and we believe it is worth the effort of trying in order to get back on your way as quickly as possible. The one thing you want to try to avoid is breaking the key in the ignition. It makes the situation more complicated and you might have to depend on the services of a locksmith to extract the key.

We offer a host of solutions for your ignition problems. Cars are built on robotic assembly lines and they have more parts than they used to. This makes it easier to damage the parts that are being applied. A small problem can easily turn into a much larger problem and cause a complete system break down. The suggestions offered should only be applied by someone who has some technical skills. Even when someone is opting to handle the problem for you, remember that they will not likely assume financial responsibility if something they do causes the problem to become worse. The following suggestions might be of use to you.

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  • Always make sure that the gear is in ‘park’ when you are not moving. If the gear is in ‘drive’ when not in use, the built-in safety feature will prevent you from removing your key. Also make sure your break is applied to prevent your car from rolling.  
  • If the car is not turned out but is still in the on position, this will also prevent you from being able to remove the car key. This is a feature that was designed to avoid disabling your engine while in use. This could damage your engine and even cause a crash.  
  • The key release feature in recently designed cars is powered electronically. If you have a dead battery, this might cause your key to remain inside the ignition. To determine if you are experiencing electrical problems, you can turn on the headlights or emergency indicator. If they do not come on, you can assume that there is an electrical problem. You will not have to waste another minute. Simply contact your local locksmith for further assistance.  
  • Wiggling your steering wheel might seem silly but by redistributing the weight of the frame from the front axle, you can get the key out. In extreme cases, you might jack up the front end of your car and then wiggle the steering column. This might just give you the results you need and you’ll be able to easily extract your key. This isn’t something that we would suggest you do if you don’t have some automotive repair experience. This is because you may not know the risks involved. If you are not an auto mechanic, your best bet is to rely on the services of a locksmith.  
  • There is a law that you may not be familiar with. It is the law of thermal expansion. It indicates that metal with heat applied to it will contract when they suddenly become cold. This means that you wouldn’t be able to shrink your key while the ignition cylinder is expanding. However, we have seen the use of a hairdryer work to disengage a key. Heat is directly applied to the cylinder and the exposed part of the key is chilled with ice. This helps maneuver things so that the key will come out without incident.  
  • Applying heat to both the cylinder and the key may also help. Metal is also known to become more flexible when heat is applied to it. On the other hand, a heated key can also become disfigured and warped. This is a method that should be done by someone who has experience in extracting keys, like a professional locksmith from Locksmith Evanston. They will know and understand the precautions that need to be applied when attempting to extract a key with heat.

These are some common ways to help remedy your ignition key problem. As you may have already noticed, there is a measure of risks involved with handling an ignition problem on your own. You might want to learn more about what is done to help with your ignition problems. Consulting with a professional locksmith will allow you this opportunity. This may not be a problem that you will experience too often but when it does occur, we find that most motorists want to know what can be done to remedy the issue without further damaging the ignition. A locksmith can offer you a quick and efficient fix so that you can get on with the rest of your day.


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