subject: Troubleshooting Your Cars Ignition System [print this page] An ignition switch is the first component of the whole car that you use to start a car, by inserting and turning the ignition locks key to the ON configuration. While you can make do with a broken bonnet, a malfunctioning headlight, as well as a broken door, you absolutely cannot postpone the solution of your ignition switch problems! Once the ignition switch goes bad, you just cant do anything to start the car! Thus, the thing about cars you should know next to driving is how to analyze and repair the cars ignition switch and associated components. Here we teach you how to take care of your cars ignition switch system, so that you can deal with the problems if and when the need arises.
Functioning of the ignition switch system
To be able to troubleshoot any machine or component, you must have a detailed technical knowhow of its intricate structure and functioning. Ignition switch system of a car has either two separated components or both integrated into a single unit. These components are a delicate electronic switch, in case of a separated arrangement at the back of the other component, the cylinder which is the ignition lock. The key is inserted into the ignition cylinder, which is responsible for giving corresponding mechanical feedback to the electronic switch. In the integrated arrangement, the electronic switch is an internal component of the ignition switch cylinder.
The ultimate function of the ignition switch system is to relay the signal of the turned key to the engine of the car, thereby turning it on or off. A complex electric relay mechanism is used to put an intermediary gear into action, ultimately conveying the signal to a flywheel. The start configuration of the ignition switch is spring loaded. On inserting the key and turning it from the off/lock configuration to the start position, the starting gear gets engaged temporarily for a moment, and the car gets into a standby configuration. On releasing the hold on the ignition key, the spring automatically takes the key to the ON configuration. At the final step, the starter gear automatically gets disengaged. Given the complexity of the ignition system, problems may be with the cylinder, the electronic switch, the electrical relay mechanism or any other component.
Even a dead battery or a loose cable that connects it to the ignition system can cause a whole load of trouble, while you might be thinking of the intricate electrical relay system! So you dont have an alternative to doing an elimination check for all the defects possible. You must check the functioning of the car battery using a voltmeter of appropriate range. Then the working of the ignition switch system must be checked. If it so happens that the feedback is not relayed correctly from the ignition lock cylinder to the flywheel, that is changing the configurations of the ignition key doesnt have the desired results, though it gets turned ON at some point, the problem is surely with the ignition switch!.
