SYMPTOMS OF A BAD IGNITION SWITCH
There are a lot of signs in cars that serve as pointers to a bad ignition switch.
Alongside your vehicle failing to start, some of the other symptoms of a bad ignition switch include;
- Difficulty removing or turning the ignition key, which signals a worn-out ignition switch. It may also hint that the key isn’t connecting properly inside the switch.
- The engine still running after turning the switch off and removing key
- Car stopping while driving, which could be caused by a loss of power from the engine through the switch.
- Car accessories not working even when the ignition key is turned to the run position
- The ignition switch is hot when you touch it. This signals a fault in the electrical system.
If you experience one or several of these symptoms, your ignition switch could be the cause and may need replacement.
When testing electrical components, a multimeter is a valuable instrument.
HOW TO TEST IGNITION SWITCH WITH MULTIMETER
Put the key in the run position, set the multimeter to 20 DC voltage, ground the black lead on any metal surface close by, and place the red lead on a connector at the opposite side of the ignition cylinder. If the multimeter displays a reading far from your battery voltage, the switch is bad.
There is more to this process, as well as other techniques you may use to diagnose your ignition switch.
STEP 1: TAKE OFF THE SHROUD BELOW THE STEERING WHEEL
To test your ignition switch using the first method, you have to take off the casing covering the other parts of the switch.
This is the shroud located below the steering wheel, and you take it off to expose the metal connectors at the other end of the switch.
STEP 2: SET THE MULTIMETER TO THE 20 DC VOLTAGE RANGE
Your car makes use of Direct Current (DC Voltage), and this test takes your battery voltage into account.
With the voltage usually around 12 volts, you set the multimeter dial to the 20 DC voltage range, as this ensures that the reading is accurate.
DC voltage is usually represented by a “V with a dash and three dots beside it”.
STEP 3: POSITION MULTIMETER PROBES ON CAR AND IGNITION SWITCH
Ground the black (negative) multimeter probe on any metal part of your car. This could be a screw nearby or even the body of your car.
Place the red (positive) multimeter probe on any of the metal connectors on the other side of the ignition switch.
This is the opposite end of the switch cylinder to which wires are connected, and these are important when checking if the ignition switch is allowing current to go through or not.
STEP 4: TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND EVALUATE RESULTS
Now, you turn your key to the run position without trying to start the engine and check what the multimeter presents you with.
A reading that is close to your battery voltage means that the ignition switch is working properly.
For instance, if you make use of a 12 volt battery, a reading of 11 volts is still considerable and means the ignition switch is working properly.
If the multimeter presents you with 0 or a reading far from this range, then the ignition switch is bad and needs to be replaced.
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