What are the reasons for the key not turning when starting the car?
3 Answers
Start the car when the key does not turn the reason is: 1, the lock core damage caused by the car key can not be screwed; 2, when parking did not adjust the angle of the vehicle parking, making the steering wheel when parking did not return to the right, resulting in the steering wheel lock stuck turning the key difficult. The basic principle of the key is: from the owner of the weak radio waves, by the car antenna to receive the radio signal, by the electronic controller ECU to identify the signal code, by the system's actuator to perform the opening and closing of the lock action. Keys are divided by use: 1, active working mode; 2, passive working mode; 3, coil induction mode.
I've been driving for over twenty years and have encountered the issue of the key not turning several times. The most common reason is the steering wheel locking, especially when parking if the wheels hit the curb or the road is uneven, the steering wheel will automatically lock. In this case, you need to gently turn the steering wheel left and right while trying to turn the key, and it usually unlocks. Additionally, for automatic transmission models, if the car is turned off in D or R gear, the key may also get stuck, and you must shift back to P gear to start. Wear and tear on the key itself or dust entering the lock cylinder can also cause sticking, and you can spray some WD-40 lubricant. If these methods don't work, it might be due to damaged internal contacts in the ignition switch or a fault in the anti-theft system, and it's recommended to contact a professional technician directly. After all, forcing the key to turn may damage the lock cylinder, leading to higher repair costs.
When I first got my driver's license, I was also tricked by key issues a few times. Once I was in a hurry to go to work and couldn't turn the key no matter what, only to find out later that the steering wheel was locked. A slight turn of the steering wheel solved the problem. Another thing to note is that for automatic transmissions, the gear must be fully engaged in the P position to turn the key. If the gear lever isn't pushed all the way, it can also get stuck. Key wear is another common issue, especially with older cars; when the teeth are worn smooth, the key tends to slip. I've also encountered frozen locks in winter, which can be fixed by blowing warm air from a hairdryer for a few moments. For daily maintenance, applying a bit of graphite powder to the key can reduce metal wear. Finally, a reminder: never use excessive force when turning the key, as it can easily break the key in the lock.
