Automotive
A worn-out ignition lock? We replace it at the car
When the ignition lock is past repair, we replace it and cut keys to match.
Where
South-eastern Pennsylvania
What we cover
Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, Lancaster County and Philadelphia
How we work
We are a mobile locksmith. We come to you.
What this covers
Ignition replacement is for an ignition lock that is past repair: badly worn, damaged in a break-in attempt, or broken inside so that no key will turn it. We take out the old ignition lock and fit a new one, and the keys are cut to match it, so the car has a working lock and a key that fits it.
How we approach it
We look at the ignition first to confirm it needs replacing and not just repairing, because a repair keeps more of the original. When a replacement is the right call, we fit the new lock, cut the keys, and, where the car uses chipped keys, program them so the car recognizes them. Every key is tested by starting the engine.
Where it stops
Replacement covers the ignition lock and the keys that go with it. The starter, the wiring and the car's security electronics are not part of it, and if the car still will not start with a working lock and key, we will tell you where we think the problem lies. We ask for proof of ownership before any ignition work.
What ignition replacement covers
Replace the ignition lock cylinder, cut keys to match the new cylinder.
Worth knowing
An ignition damaged in a break-in attempt deserves attention even if the car still starts. A forced lock may turn with anything, or stop working without warning, and a car that can be started without its key is not secure. If the steering column or the area around the ignition shows pry marks or loose trim, report it to the police and your insurer, and keep photos.
Ask whether the new ignition can use the same key as the doors. Depending on the car and the new lock, it can be set up so that one key opens the doors and starts the engine, rather than leaving you with two keys for one car. It is a question for the start of the job, not the end.
Think about the keys that are still out there. When an ignition is replaced after a theft or a lost key, an old key that worked the previous lock no longer starts the car, and that can be the whole point of the job. Once the new keys are working, collect or discard the old ones so nobody picks up the wrong key.
Ignition Replacement: questions before you call
How do I know if I need ignition replacement when my dash lights come on but the key will not turn to start?
The key's movement is what tells us most. If it stops before the start position, drags, or needs jiggling at the ignition, that points us toward the lock cylinder itself. If the key turns fully to ON and START and the engine still does nothing, that points away from cylinder replacement and toward a starter, electrical, or security-system issue.
What should I tell you on the phone if my key only sticks when the steering wheel is pulled hard to one side?
Tell us exactly where the key stops and what the wheel is doing at that moment. A wheel held tight against its stop can load the ignition and change how the key feels. It helps if you say whether the key will come out, whether it turns back to ACC, and whether the wheel is locked solid or has a little movement.
What should I have ready if my only working ignition key cracked at the plastic head but the metal part still turns?
Have every key and every remote you use with that vehicle together in one place. The cracked head matters because some vehicles have a chip in that part, while the remote buttons are a separate item from the ignition blade. We need to know what still starts the vehicle, what only unlocks it, and what no longer responds at all.
Does it matter if my vehicle has a start button and no place where I turn a key?
Yes, that changes the job. Ignition replacement applies to a vehicle with a lock cylinder that a key goes into and turns. If you have a start button and no turning ignition, tell us that first, because the fault may be in a different part than a cylinder. One clear detail is whether there is any key slot on the steering column or dash.
How is ignition replacement different from just getting a broken key piece removed from the ignition?
The difference is whether the cylinder itself is still the problem after the broken piece is dealt with. If metal is stuck in the key slot, tell us whether you can see the end of that piece and whether the ignition is frozen in ACC, ON, or OFF. A broken piece and a worn cylinder can happen together, but they are not the same repair.
