Car Engine Key Won’t Turn
When you turn the key in your car’s ignition, you expect the engine to start. But what happens when you turn the key and nothing happens? If your car engine key won’t turn, it can be a frustrating and even frightening experience. Fortunately, there are a few common causes for this problem, and most of them can be fixed relatively easily.
1. The battery is dead.
This is the most common reason why a car engine key won’t turn. When the battery is dead, there is not enough power to engage the starter motor, which is what turns the engine over. To check if the battery is dead, try turning on the headlights. If the headlights are dim or don’t come on at all, it’s likely that the battery is dead. You can try jump-starting the car to get it started, but you will need to replace the battery as soon as possible.
2. The starter motor is faulty.
The starter motor is the electrical component that turns the engine over. If the starter motor is faulty, it may not be able to engage the engine or it may not be able to turn the engine over fast enough to start it. You can try tapping on the starter motor with a hammer to see if that will get it working, but if the starter motor is faulty, it will need to be replaced.
3. The ignition switch is faulty.
The ignition switch is the electrical component that allows you to turn the key and start the engine. If the ignition switch is faulty, it may not be able to send power to the starter motor or it may not be able to turn the key. You can try jiggling the key in the ignition or trying to start the car in the “accessory” position to see if that will get it working, but if the ignition switch is faulty, it will need to be replaced.
4. The steering wheel is locked.
If you have a car with a steering wheel lock, it may be engaged, which will prevent you from turning the key. To unlock the steering wheel, turn the key to the “lock” position and then turn the steering wheel slightly to the left or right. You should hear a click when the steering wheel unlocks.
5. The key is not inserted correctly.
It may seem obvious, but it’s worth checking to make sure that the key is inserted correctly into the ignition. If the key is not inserted all the way or if it is not turned to the “on” position, the engine will not start.
6. The car is in park or neutral.
If you have a car with an automatic transmission, the car must be in park or neutral in order to start. If the car is not in park or neutral, the engine will not start.
7. The car is flooded.
If you have tried to start the car several times and it has not started, the car may be flooded. Flooding occurs when too much fuel is sent to the engine and the spark plugs cannot ignite the fuel. To fix a flooded car, you need to let the fuel evaporate. You can do this by leaving the car turned off for a few hours or by pressing the gas pedal all the way down while starting the car.
If you have tried all of these solutions and your car engine key still won’t turn, it is best to call a mechanic. There may be a more serious problem that needs to be addressed.
