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Car Question

Desmond1979

The past few days, I found it difficult to start the car. The ignition was stuck solid, whenever I tried to turn on the key.

My mechanic suggested an issue with the ignition spark. However, the issue wasn't so bad, today. Could it just be the colder weather, overnight? I know that the past few nights it got close to Zero.

Anyhow, it's another OMG issue; for me.

  • in reply to I Sperg

    Thanks guys.

    The cause was my keys, for the home and rentals, being too heavy. That destroyed the ignition spark. A man, who lives near me, was at the shop a few hours ago - when it finally gave up the ghost - and he brought me home. With the car awaiting a tow.

    Added bonus, the man who brought me home said, according to his assumption, that Hope moved over to his home; and his neighbour's. Closure, at last.

    I'll let the Mechanic know that probably the WD40 can do the job. The issue also prmpted me to learn, via a YouTube tutorial, where the flap for opening the bonnet, and the button for getting the bonnet open wide, are. Not a complete waste.

  • Desmond1979 said:
    The ignition was stuck solid, whenever I tried to turn on the key.

    Reading this it sounds like you mean you put the key into the ignition switch and try to turn it but it won't turn.

    I would get some of the penetrating oil spray that comes with a straw (like WD40) and use the straw to get some water down the ignition barrel as this is  mechanical part that can gum up, especially when cold.

    The solvents and thin oils in the spray should break up any gummy oil in the barrel within seconds and let you turn it.

    It could also be the steering lock is catching it, so maybe turn the wheel a quarter turn and try again.

    If this isn't the case then let us know exactly what steps you can get to, for example:

    1 - put key in, turn it (the lights come up on the dashboard showing there is power) but when I turn the key nothing happens.

    2 - put key in, turn it (the lights come up on the dashboard showing there is power) and when I turn the key it clicks loudly but nothing happens.

    3 - the engine it turning over on the starter ok but does not start.

    Is it a petrol or diesel? Remember a diesel needs the glow plugs to have time to warm up before turning the engine or it isn't warm enough to start.

    If the engine is turning, is it at normal speed of slowly?

    This will help us diagnose it more accurately.

  • Two things spring to mind: 1: some ingnitions also mechaically stop the steering wheel from being turned, this mechanism can require one to turn the wheel a bit as you turn the key to release that mechanism, and No.2 would a small squirt of wd40 or similar down the key slot possibly offer a solution?

    SMALL squirt though, and only one...