Car Won't Turn Over...

[KCha 10+ year member]

My girlfriends car all the sudden the key wouldn't turn. After waiting a little bit the key turned and the car started right up. After shutting it down and grabbing some dinner we left and the car wouldn't start at all. I opened up the hood and could immediately smell that magic smoke much like subs/amps put out =P.

Had it towed away to a shop and they said it was ignition and replaced it. Two days later the same exact thing happens-- car runs fine then the key won't turn and car won't start.

So they took it back and replaced the ignition again. Now on her way to work she goes to start the car and it does the same **** thing. Unfortunately, my car repair knowledge is limited to the problems I have had in the past so I'm a little lost here. I know we should take it to a different shop but the guy who is doing the work is a friend of her dads.

Does anyone know offhand some other possibilities of what it could be? I don't trust this shop at all and don't want her spending more money than required. They did replace the one that went out after 2 days for free, but now it seems they are just listing off things it could be and making her replace them.

Any help is gladly appreciated =)

Click to read more...

 

[shortyg83 10+ year member]

The key wont turn?

 

[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

tell the mechanic its the ignition AND something else.

 

[KCha 10+ year member]

No, and when it eventually does the car won't even attempt to turn over. With the hood open and my head as close to the engine as possible a small click can be heard...but to faint to distinguish the origin.

 

[TurdFergueson2 5,000+ posts]

Make sure it is all the way in park. I am currently having an issue where mine is not going all the way into park. The cable on my shifter is loose.

What kind of car?

 

[KCha 10+ year member]

Its a 97 cavy lol. Not top of the line...but has been getting the job done for several years without a problem.

Only thing I can think of is maybe a burned out wire somewhere in between the starter and ignition is causing the ignitions to go bad?

 

[shortyg83 10+ year member]

either your stearing lock is bad or the ignition switch would be bad if the key litterally doesn't turn.

 

[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

Its a 97 cavy lol. Not top of the line...but has been getting the job done for several years without a problem.
Only thing I can think of is maybe a burned out wire somewhere in between the starter and ignition is causing the ignitions to go bad?

maybe there's a burnt wire thats grounding out causing a short killing the ignition system

 

[jfink 10+ year member]

if the key won't physically turn you got a problem with your ignition switch which could be your only problem. after replacing that and you still have problems get your starter and battery tested, i am assuming your alternator is fine if you have a system but you might want to check that out too. good chance the shop is replacing some wires and charging your battery in the mean time to temporarly make the problem go away. but my guess would be bad battery or starter, especially if you hear a click sound(should be right around the starter), means the starter is bad or its not getting enough juice to turn the motor over. and by the way, starters and alternators are easily replaced, no need to pay a mechanic to do the work. other than that i'd just locate the starter and fallow the wires to see if one might be burned up, along with the battery and alternator.