Start Me Up
July 26, 2026
You have a nice road trip planned out. You’re all packed, sit down in the driver’s seat, go to start your vehicle up and… Nothing! You might hear a click, but that’s it. What do you do now?
Your problem may be a bad ignition switch. There are other symptoms you may notice. A failing ignition switch can cause your vehicle to stall while you’re driving. That presents a significant safety risk. You may notice dashboard lights flickering when the key is in the “on” position. Accessories like the radio, headlights or other electric components may turn on and off at random. And you may notice the Check Engine light coming on intermittently.
If you’re experiencing any of these problems, it’s important to have a technician take a look at it soon. They’ll go through your system thoroughly, checking battery voltage and cables, then make sure your starter is working the way it should.
The technician will conduct tests to make sure there’s continuity and voltage in each of your switch’s terminals in the “Accessories, Power and Start” positions. They will also scan for diagnostic trouble codes designed to narrow down ignition and power issues.
If they determine it’s a bad ignition switch, they’ll remove the old one and install the new one. Many newer vehicles have anti-theft systems, and the new switch and key may require programming. Once the new one is in place, they’ll test all of the switch’s positions and make sure electrical components such as the lights, sound system and dashboard are working correctly.
Elite Tire And Auto Care
33729 Plymouth Rd.
Livonia, Michigan 48150
734.427.3100
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