When you turn a key to start a car what happens that allows the car to start?
When the key is turned, the starter motor “turns the engine over,” which means it turns the crankshaft which in turn gets the pistons moving in the cylinders. This starts the engine cycle. Air and fuel is drawn into the cylinders, it is compressed and the then the spark plugs fire. This begins combustion.
What happens when u turn the key in a car?
Once the engine is running, starter does not have a job – it is resting and doing nothing. When you turn the key, a solenoid, which is coupled with a starter, is activated and it pushes out a small gear. This is essentially as shoving a piece of metal into a running gear – this is what causes that grinding sound.
What does it mean when your car key won’t start?
This is a method to prevent unauthorized keys from starting the car. In other words, keys must be programmed into the car’s computer to start the car. If everything works fine, but the car won’t start, it means that either the key isn’t program or you have the wrong chip value for the key.
What to do when your car won’t start?
If this does not work, rock the steering wheel as you jiggle the key in the ignition. You can mix and match with the methods of turning the wheel and moving the key. As soon as the key turns the steering wheel will unlock, and the car should start. If the key does not turn, then you may have a more severe issue.
What makes a car key turn in ignition?
In older vehicles, your key’d ignition system is entirely mechanical, from the lock cylinder all the way until the cylinder activates the ignition switch. On modern cars with keys, most are equipped with chip-keys that are theft deterrents, and must be properly mated to the car through software usually only available at the dealership.
How does a key turn work on a starter motor?
The key turn completes a small circuit that tells the battery to release power to the starter solenoid. The solenoid ramps up the power given to it and that power causes the starter motor to turn very quickly.