my car wont turn on 0_0

[d94]

not that the starter doesnt work, but when i stick my key into the ignition i can only turn it half way, aka the point where the radio is on! iv tried 3 diff sets of keys, turning the steering wheel all sorts of ways with ZIPoo luck
and now im late to work lol.

anyone have a clue what would be causing this?

btw its a manual and i can turn the steering wheel (no power steering on tho)

 

[jme5343]

What kind of car? Is it a newer model with the chip in the key?

 

[Hyperlite]

Originally posted by: jmebonner
What kind of car? Is it a newer model with the chip in the key?

 

[d94]

Originally posted by: jmebonner
What kind of car? Is it a newer model with the chip in the key?

96 corolla

 

[Hyperlite]

ok, i think that rules that out....so can you turn the key to ON or to ACC?

 

[LordUnum]

Well, that sucks. About a year ago, my dad had the reverse problem on his Hyundai Elantra. The key would get stuck at the same point, only while attempting to take it out. Turned out to be some safety mechanism that was malfunctioning, I guess something that is supposed to keep you from removing the key in anything other than Parking or Neutral. I just removed that little pin & spring that locked the cylinder in that position and the car was fine afterwards. You may want to take a closer at the steering column (behind the steering wheel) and lock cylinder area. Maybe a similar/related issue in your case...

Here's a mini-bump for more insight into your prob.

 

[0]

You may have a bad starter switch inside the steering column. The switch is sticking and not allowing full rotation.

 

[MichaelD]

Something is obviously broken either on the steering column or in the lock cylinder. A 11-year old car isn't a technological nightmare like a 2007 model is. The wheel turns, but the key won't turn all the way..something mechanical is wrong in there somewhere.

Does the wheel tilt? Have you tried moving it up and down/turning it while trying to turn the key?

Either way, you are gonna need professional help to actually FIX the problem. Time to fix and SELL the car.

One thing breaking is an omen of the apocolypse to come for you. Trust me.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: LordUnum
Well, that sucks. About a year ago, my dad had the reverse problem on his Hyundai Elantra. The key would get stuck at the same point, only while attempting to take it out. Turned out to be some safety mechanism that was malfunctioning, I guess something that is supposed to keep you from removing the key in anything other than Parking or Neutral. I just removed that little pin & spring that locked the cylinder in that position and the car was fine afterwards. You may want to take a closer at the steering column (behind the steering wheel) and lock cylinder area. Maybe a similar/related issue in your case...

Here's a mini-bump for more insight into your prob.

*ding* Possible winner. this is exactly what I'm talking about. Break out the flashlight and check.

 

[d94]

Originally posted by: Hyperlite
ok, i think that rules that out....so can you turn the key to ON or to ACC?

ACC

 

[d94]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Something is obviously broken either on the steering column or in the lock cylinder. A 11-year old car isn't a technological nightmare like a 2007 model is. The wheel turns, but the key won't turn all the way..something mechanical is wrong in there somewhere.

Does the wheel tilt? Have you tried moving it up and down/turning it while trying to turn the key?

Either way, you are gonna need professional help to actually FIX the problem. Time to fix and SELL the car.

One thing breaking is an omen of the apocolypse to come for you. Trust me.

going to try doing that right now!

 

[nweaver]

if it turned to "On" but wouldn't crank the starter (past "on") then you could roll start it, or short the terminals on the starter (I started a car like this for weeks)

 

[d94]

Originally posted by: nweaver
if it turned to "On" but wouldn't crank the starter (past "on") then you could roll start it, or short the terminals on the starter (I started a car like this for weeks)

ya i know
can get it past acc

 

[0]

I had a bad ignition switch, FYI. It was $15, and I did it myself. The car has been running perfectly since (2 yrs). It might be just that simple.

 

[AdamK47]

Put it in park.

 

[waggy]

had something like this happen in my escort all the time.

whenever i turned it off witht he tires turned i couldnt turn the key all the way. you have to force the wheels a little straighter and it would work.

 

[d94]

woot, just got off the phone with my manager,
im getting written up and suspended from work till monday

he claims that if his car broke down he'd find a way to get to work even if he had to beg random neighers to drive him, crazy idiot!

 

[jme5343]

Originally posted by: d94
woot, just got off the phone with my manager,
im getting written up and suspended from work till monday

he claims that if his car broke down he'd find a way to get to work even if he had to beg random neighers to drive him, crazy idiot!

I don't know what you do for a living, but I agree with your manager.

 

[jme5343]

Originally posted by: 0
I had a bad ignition switch, FYI. It was $15, and I did it myself. The car has been running perfectly since (2 yrs). It might be just that simple.

I replaced the ignition switch on my Regal GS today. $32 dollars for me. Stealership estimated $450. Little bit of mechanical knowledge = profit

 

[herbiehancock]

Originally posted by: 0
I had a bad ignition switch, FYI. It was $15, and I did it myself. The car has been running perfectly since (2 yrs). It might be just that simple.

Thank you very much for that simple and probably very accurate answer. Replacing ignition switches in autos is actually very simple and the replacement switch will even come with instructions on how to access, remove and replace the old one. Simple fix and a LOT easier than most people think.

Either way, you are gonna need professional help to actually FIX the problem.

I guess when people are faced with the unknown, it's always going to need a professional to do the repair and be expensive which is far from the truth, esp. in this case.

That mysterious shroud surrounding your sterring column.......is probably held on with no more than 4 screws, either Torx head or phillips head screws.

Once you get the shroud off, the ignition switch is probably held in with two or three tamper-resistant Torx screws....a Torx screw that has a little raised "dot" in the center. The appropriate driver/bit for that screw is sold in almost every auto parts store, like AutoZone and Advance Auto/Kragen/Checkers, etc.

Then it's just unscrewing it, unhooking probably a single rod that the switch moves, and a plug of wires or two. Reverse to replace.

My guess is that either the switch has broken internally or the rod has jammed externally. Either way, you're going to have to get in there to fix it........but it's NOT HARD at all. Take a chance and at least take the column shroud off and look. Could be as simple as the connecting rod has jammed/slipped out of one hole or another....it fits into holes at both ends....one on the switch and one further down the column.