Ignition Cylinder Problems - What to Do
Things are bound to go wrong with your ignition cylinder and key, even if your vehicle is state of the art. This regrettable fact is part of an unavoidable reality. You noticed that the key wouldn't turn to spark by chance when you went to start the car. Johns Creek 24/7 Locksmiths have seen this situation time and time again. When these things happen it may necessitate replacing an ignition cylinder or a key that has snapped off in the slot. If you are dealing with this issue, have a look at the provided information. It may happen to be that the key has become lodged in place or it may be that you feel the need to prepare with some preemptive knowledge. You could even be a hero to a stranded friend in need.
Given what brand of vehicle that you own, it's possible to find home remedies for this scenario. Different companies use unique ignition cylinder designs, so no one solution will fit all scenarios. If you have a Toyota Camry, which is currently the most popular car in Georgia, you may have heard that wiggling the steering wheel back and forth just the right way will free a key. While that technique is fairly unverified, it is widely accepted that applying liberal torque to the bow (handle) of a stuck key can leave it ripped in two pieces. Snapping off the end of the key is the biggest thing to avoid as it can complicate further efforts for extraction.
Johns Creek, Georgia master mechanics offer solutions...
Present day vehicles are put together precisely by assembly line robotics and contain smaller parts than they have in the past. It is therefore easier than ever to damage these delicate parts by attempting repairs. In fact, the problems caused by a minor error from amateur repair can snowball into a complete breakdown. So it is advised that one only attempt these procedures if they have the comparable technical skills. If friends and family suggest home repair over professional services, remember, that they are not the ones assuming the financial risk of the operation. That being said, the following list may come in handy.
1. One simple method is to make entirely sure that the gear is set in "park" position. If the shifter is still on "drive" or anything other than "park" then a built in safety mechanism will prevent the release. Be certain that pressure is applied to the breaks to avoid any surprise rolling of the car.
2. Often times, the key has been left in the "on" position. A common safety feature disallows the key from exiting when not fully turned off. This is meant to avoid accidently disabling the engine during driving which could lead to a crash.
3. Some of the key release mechanisms found in current cars are electronically powered. A dead battery can account for failure to release. The easiest way to check for this is to activate one the auto's electronic devices, like the head lights or emergency blinkers. If this proves to be the case, you can avoid further time consuming diagnostics.
4. The "steering wheel wiggle" is not entirely impractical if you displace the weight of the frame on the front axle. Using a jack, lift the front end of the car up and attempt to jiggle the steering coulomb to loosen the key. This can be a particularly risky maneuver because putting yourself and your own weight in a car while it is raised at a single point can cause it to tip and fall, which could be disastrous.
5. This next step involves some solid science. The law of thermal expansion states that metals will increase in volume when heated and contract when they are cold. Using this principal it is possible to expand the cylinder and shrink the key simultaneously. A hairdryer would work. Apply heat directly to the cylinder with the hair dryer while chilling the exposed key parts with ice.
6. Based on the same idea as the previous item, apply heat to all parts, the key and cylinder. Metal also has the property of becoming softer and more malleable when heated. Be warned, a heated key is easier to deform and warp.
At the end of the day, these basic steps may not prove effective to your own individual issue. In such case, it would be time to consider what other options are available. Odds are that the problem can't wait. The world keeps moving even when that key will not. It's about the time that the gravity of the situation becomes apparent. Nothing is getting done until that key is freed. At this point a decision must be made whether to pursue another possibly ruinous round of novice tinkering, or to get expert advice from certified locksmiths in John's Creek, Georgia.
Luckily, the answer had been in your hands the whole time. Using a smartphone or desktop, it is quite simple to search for a local locksmith, for instance, Johns Creek Locksmith in Georgia. Professionals can effortlessly pinpoint an issue and solve it accordingly in no time at all. Licensed and qualified locksmiths bring all of the tools that they could need to conduct a mobile key extraction on the spot. It can be a better idea to call them before attempting self-service because many insurance carriers will not cover the cost of auto repair if the damages were caused by the owner themselves. Unfortunately, the tell-tale signs of botched key extraction are evident to auto insurance adjusters with experience in their field.
Being that automobiles are luxuries that many cannot afford to live without, it is of utmost importance to get them back on the road as fast as possible. In this situation, all one needs to do is reach out to an experienced, licensed professional for help.