What happens when you turn the key when the car is already on?
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.
Why does my car keep running at idle?
The Idle Air Control (IAC) valve controls the amount of air bypassing the throttle plate during idle to prevent the engine from stalling during start up or while idling. In most modern vehicles, the amount of air that bypasses the throttle bore is preset from the factory and controlled by the car computer, so it can’t be adjusted.
What to do if your engine keeps running after turning off the ignition key?
If your engine keeps running after turning off the ignition key, try to troubleshoot and repair the fault as soon as possible. Dieseling can cause serious engine damage if the problem worsens. Check the different systems and components as outlined above. The sections are developed to help you find and repair the fault as soon as possible.
Why does my car not start after I hold the key?
The only possible reason that the starter doesn’t operate after the engine is started and you hold the key in the start position is that there is a vacuum lockout that kills the current to the starter after engine starts and is producing vacuum.
What happens to the ignition switch when a car dies?
Since your car dies, the ignition switch is a likely suspect since the ignition and/or fuel supply is being killed.
What happens if you turn off the engine without a key?
The ignition cylinder is mechanically connected to the steering wheel lock, so a potential thief cannot steer the car without the key. If you turn off the engine with the steering wheel turned or turn the steering wheel after turning off the engine, the steering wheel lock can bind and prevent you from turning the ignition.
How often should you insert and remove the ignition key?
You may insert and remove the ignition key thousands of times every year, wearing the key and tumblers ever-so-slightly every time. Heavy keychains can add more stress to the ignition cylinder, increasing wear. After a while, the key may fall out of the cylinder or be unable to turn out of the lock position.
The only possible reason that the starter doesn’t operate after the engine is started and you hold the key in the start position is that there is a vacuum lockout that kills the current to the starter after engine starts and is producing vacuum.
Can a unworn key turn an ignition cylinder?
Or, an unworn key may not turn a worn ignition cylinder, as they haven’t “worn together.” How To Fix It: The best way to do this is to get a new lockset, with new keys and a new cylinder. You might consider getting a matched lockset that includes the door and trunk cylinders.