Last Updated on December, 2024
Imagine being stuck on the roadside, turning the key in the ignition, and nothing happening. This can be frustrating if you’re in a hurry or somewhere inconvenient.
However, if you know how to start a car with a bad ignition switch, you can fix the issue promptly.
In this article, I’ll explain some straightforward steps and DIY methods for starting your car, even if the ignition switch is not cooperating.
We will also discuss the causes of your car’s bad ignition switch to help you prevent such issues.
If you’re ready, let’s get started.
Quick Summary
- You can use jumper cables, hotwiring (for older cars), or the drill and screwdriver method to start the car when the ignition switch is faulty.
- Common causes include worn-out components, environmental factors, and voltage irregularities that damage the ignition system.
- Symptoms include difficulty starting the car, a hard-turning key, flickering dashboard lights, and the car stalling after starting.
How to Start a Car With a Bad Ignition Switch? 3 Best Methods
Let’s discuss three simple methods to start a car with a bad ignition switch. You don’t need advanced mechanical skills to perform these.
Use Jumper Cables
You can use a jumper cable connected to another car or a portable jump starter to start a car with a bad ignition switch. Here’s how you do it:
- Open the car hood.
- Locate the battery, ignition coil, and the starter solenoid.
- First, connect the battery’s positive terminal to the ignition coil’s positive side. Next, connect the starter solenoid to the battery’s positive terminal. This setup provides power to the dashboard to turn over the motor and start your vehicle.
- Unplug the ignition wiring from the solenoid and connect it to the post where the ignition switch connects.
- Finally, turn on the ignition. Press and hold the button on the jumper cable until the car engine starts.
This method is pretty easy and doesn’t damage the ignition switch.
Note: Route the jumper cable away from moving parts for safety, and connect it so that you can easily tug it free. Use your vehicle’s manual to connect the wires accurately.
Hotwiring
Hotwiring is another method to start a car with a faulty ignition switch. This method is suitable for vehicles manufactured before the mid-’90s.
Below are the steps to hotwire your car:
- Locate the steering column beneath the car wheels and remove the plastic cover.
You can do it by removing the screws found on both sides of the steering wheel column using a screwdriver. This will give you access to the internal car parts and wiring harness connector.
- Locate the wire connected to the ignition system and the battery.
Usually, ignition wires come in yellow or brown colour and battery wires in red. However, this is not a universal rule. So, you must check your car’s manual or search online by typing your car model.
- Remove one inch of the insulator from the battery wire and twist them together using your fingers or pliers. Then, connect the ignition wire to the twisted battery wire.
If you connect the two wires correctly, you’ll observe a spark, and the dashboard lights, and other electrical parts will turn on.
- Locate the starter wire, strip off an inch of its insulation, and touch it with the twisted wires. You don’t have to twist this wire; just the contact will start the engine.
Safety tip: Cover the ends of the wires with electrical tape to prevent direct contact with humans and other metals.
Modern cars have various locking features in their steering wheels, so the hotwiring process might not work for them.
Drill and Screwdriver Method
The drill and screwdriver method involves drilling the keyhole and using a screwdriver to start your car.
Drill the keyhole to the same length as your car key.
Then, insert a screwdriver and turn the ignition like you’ll turn a car key. This will start your car even if it has a bad ignition switch.
However, note that drilling will damage the ignition switch completely.
Some DIY Steps to Troubleshoot a Bad Ignition Switch
You can often resolve your car’s defective ignition switch with some simple tricks without any advanced mechanical skills.
Let’s discuss some of these DIY troubleshooting tips.
- Examine your car key. If it’s worn out or comes out of the ignition cylinder, the ignition switch may not function. In this case, use the spare key to start the car.
- Insert the car key into the keyhole and wiggle it. Sometimes, the faulty ignition switch may connect this way.
- Using a multimeter or probe, check if there’s power at the ignition switch. If there’s no power, check the wiring harness for any disconnected or damaged wires. Ensure all the wiring connections are secure.
- Swap the starter relay. The starter relay is a high-current switch that supplies electricity to the starter motor. If the starter relay fails, your car won’t start. So, swap the starter relay and test if your car starts.
- Check whether your car recognises when the transmission is in PARK. To do this, place your foot on the brake. Then, move the gear shifter to neutral and then to PARK.
Signs of a Faulty Ignition Switch
The ignition switch malfunctions due to various reasons.
How do you identify a malfunctioning ignition system? There are many signs, so let’s discuss them in detail.
Knowing the signs of a bad ignition switch will help you to resolve the issue promptly without further damage to your car.
- Inability to start the car: When you turn the key and your car cranks without starting, it’s a major sign of a bad ignition switch.
A defective ignition switch can’t supply current to the motor, ignition system, and engine. Hence, your car won’t start. This may occur due to damages to the internal parts of the ignition system.
- Hard turning key: If your key is stuck and you must jiggle it multiple times to start the car, it’s a sign of a bad ignition switch.
Additionally, hard-turning keys will make the engine run even after it’s removed. Usually, this is caused by issues in the ignition lock cylinder.
- Stuck steering wheel: The steering wheel has a mechanical lock inside it, which is a part of the ignition switch. It locks the vehicle when it’s in the parking mode.
When there’s an issue with the ignition switch, the steering wheel can get stuck.
- Starting and stalling vehicle: Sometimes, a bad ignition switch can supply power just to start your car and then stop.
In this case, your car will die sometime after starting, and you won’t be able to restart it. Faulty spark plugs in the ignition system cause this issue. This can also lead to your car stalling while in motion.
- Silent starter motor: When you turn the key in the ignition switch, you’ll hear a clicking sound. If you don’t hear it, it indicates a faulty ignition system or an issue with the neutral safety switch.
To confirm, put your car transmission into neutral and check whether you hear the clicking sound from the motor.
- Flickering lights on the dashboard: Bad ignition switches cause intermittent power loss to the electrical systems and dashboard lights.
This may cause your dashboard lights to flicker or shut off completely. Furthermore, you may see warning lights such as the low battery or oil level change without any apparent issue.
- Unresponsive car accessories: A faulty ignition system may cause your car accessories, such as the wiper, radio, power door locks, power windows, air conditioning system, etc, to work intermittently or not at all.
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What Causes Ignition Switch Problems?
Several factors contribute to your car’s bad ignition system. Below are some of them:
- Worn-out components: The components of the ignition switch, such as the springs and internal contacts, wear out over time due to regular use, leading to ignition switch problems.
- Accidental key removal: The ignition switch is not designed for movement while it is under load. Therefore, if you remove the key while your car is in motion or parked, but not fully in the off position, the ignition switch will wear out prematurely.
- Accumulation of contaminants: Moisture, dust, and dirt inside the ignition system may disrupt its smooth functioning, leading to a bad switch.
- Environmental factors: Extreme weather conditions, such as high temperatures, harsh winters, etc, affect the lubricants and may corrode the components of the ignition system.
- Heavy keychain: If you have attached many keys and accessories to your keychain, it will add extra pressure on the ignition switch when inserting the key. This will cause the ignition switch to wear off.
- Voltage irregularities: The car’s electrical system experiences voltage spikes due to a dead battery, faulty alternators, and jump-starting your car incorrectly. These voltage spikes can damage the components of the ignition system.
To find the solution, you must identify the cause of the bad ignition system. Sometimes, you can fix a bad ignition by cleaning or repairing it. In other cases, you will have to replace the ignition switch.
Tools Required to Start a Car With a Faulty Ignition System
Keeping the tools required to repair a bad ignition system can come in handy during emergencies.
Following are some essential tools you must have in your car repair kit.
- Screwdriver.
- Electrical tape.
- Wrench set.
- Plier.
- Jumper wire.
- Multimeter or test light.
Pro tip: The repair tools you have must suit your vehicle model. Disconnect the battery when working on the ignition system to prevent electrical shocks.
How to Check Whether the Ignition Problem is Resolved?
There are two methods to check whether your ignition switch is working correctly.
Method 1: Using a multimeter
- Switch off the ignition system.
- Connect the positive probe of the multimeter to the power feed wire, and the negative probe to an unpainted metal in your car.
- Turn on the ignition, start your vehicle, and observe the reading.
Readings less than 90% of the battery voltage indicated a faulty ignition switch.
Method 2: Using a 12V test light
- Turn off the ignition system.
- Disconnect the module’s wire connector and the starter motor solenoid’s terminal.
- Turn the key to the running position.
- Probe the red wire to the test voltage and the ignition coil battery terminal.
- Rotate the key to the start position.
- Probe the module’s white wire connector and the ignition coil’s battery terminal.
- Examine the lamplight.
If the lamplight turns on, the ignition switch works well. If not, there’s an issue.
Should You Call in a Professional for Help?
The above methods and the DIY solutions can usually help to start a car with a bad ignition.
However, several issues with the ignition switch require mechanical expertise, especially when dealing with the internal components of the ignition system.
If you’re not confident to try the above methods, or if any of the above are not working, take your vehicle to a professional mechanic as soon as possible. They can identify the issue and resolve it.
Final Words
Your car’s ignition system may malfunction for several reasons, such as worn-out components, environmental factors, extra stress, and voltage spikes.
Cranking of the car without starting, difficulty turning the key, car stalling, and flickering dashboard lights are common signs of a faulty ignition switch.
You can repair a faulty ignition using jumper cables, hotwiring, or drilling. If none of these methods work, you must take your car to a professional mechanic.
