I heard that if you have a heavy key chain, the weight of all those keys, trinkets, etc. will eventually wear on your starter and damage your car. Is this true, or just an urban legend?
2007-01-30 08:03:57 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
In many vehicles it can. It's not an urban legend. They build the cylinders to withstand thousands of turns a year, but not the constant tug of a dozen key chains or several dozen keys.
And considering that most cylinder replacements run several hundred dollars, I personally think it crazy to find out for sure.
2007-01-30 08:10:00 · answer #1 · answered by Lemar J 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My ex-wife use to have a couple of pounds of key chains she let dangle.
It did break the ignition switch in the steering column.
The car had to be towed and after sitting at the side of the road for 3 hours and a mechanics bill of $150 plus towing she still didn't learn.
After our divorce she did it again.
I had a laugh about it because she still didn't believe me.
The ignition switch was not engineered to be a coat hook.
It won't hurt your starter, it will wear out the tumblers in the lock on your steering column.
2007-01-30 08:17:38 · answer #2 · answered by dyke_in_heat 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, It can. I just had my car's ignition switch fixed a few days ago. Granted there was a recall on my car so it was likely to go bad. But having a "heavy" key chain helped to losen everything. The egnition switch going bad actually made my car start stalling. (98 Honda Accord). I would be driving and the engine would just stop and I would have to put my car in park and start it back up. It got worse with time and continually did it. If you look at my questions section... you will see more info on it...
2007-01-30 08:15:06 · answer #3 · answered by lilbobo1980 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does not wear on your starter but after a while....probably quite awhile it could prematurely wear out your ingnition switch where you insert the keys. It won't do nothing to your car just your key switch. I wouldn't worry about it too much unless your key chain is ridiculous heavy or you already have trouble sometimes turning your key to start the motor.
2007-01-30 08:15:50 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will cause wear in the ignition cylinder (where the key goes) not the starter. The repair for this is about $75-100. Lighten up your key ring.
2007-01-30 08:11:09 · answer #5 · answered by J.R. 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes over time it does cause excessive wear on the switch. I don't know what it has to do with the starter if anything.
2007-01-30 08:11:14 · answer #6 · answered by parkmistyred 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
relies upon on how previous the vehicle and ignition cylinder is. The older the vehicle, the greater worn the cylinder already is and particular it may impression it with the aid of the years. whether that is worn sufficient, it may particularly turn the swap off in case you hit a stressful bump.
2016-11-01 22:00:19 · answer #7 · answered by hinch 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some fords it can wear the key ignition assembly.
ase tech
2007-01-30 08:09:23 · answer #8 · answered by moe h 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ive never heard of it doing anything, and i myself would not worry about it. If its true i would think it would effect more older cars than newer.
2007-01-30 08:11:36 · answer #9 · answered by cloud9vr4 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
where do u insert your keys? ignition switch or starter switch? lol
2007-01-30 08:09:41 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋