I the key won't turn smoothly or seems to be loose inside the ignition, or perhaps there's a problem starting the engine, thenthe ignition cylinder should be diagnosed properly, repaired or replaced and sometimes the replacement units should also keyed like your existing key.
Is it the key or is it the ignition cylinder? When a car is refusing to accept its key, you'd assume the key must be the problem, but more times than not it's actually the cylinder itself. And we'll figure out which one it is before we make any recommendation about repairs.
The key is inserted but will not turn, or it takes a struggle to turn it in.
The key must be jiggled or rocked to get the car started.
The key catches and does not pull out easily.
Dashboard lighting and electronics blink when turning the key on.
The car starts intermittently with no signs of any battery problem.
Read more about this in our article about the signs an ignition cylinder is going bad.
Symptoms of a broken key and those of a failing ignition cylinder can be remarkably similar, so we take a close look at both of them, but if it is the key that causes the malfunction, then purchasing a new one is going to be a lot cheaper than buying an entire ignition cylinder. In the case where the problem is in the cylinder itself, then it would need to be repaired or replaced.
Avoid breaking a stuck key. Twisting or jerking the key will likely result in breaking the metal part in place and necessitating the extraction procedure, which is a much bigger job. Should you have problems removing the stuck key, contact us immediately.
If the cylinder is salvageable and can be repaired, repairing it will allow you to regain control of the vehicle without replacing the cylinder entirely, however if the wear level is high enough, then replacement becomes inevitable. In some cases, we can also match a replacement cylinder to your existing key, meaning you will need only one set of keys per car.
We determine if the problem is with the key, ignition cylinder, or related wiring connections.
We provide the solution that is both the cheapest and most efficient in this particular case.
We replace or repair the faulty cylinder whenever possible at your location.
We key the new cylinder to match your existing key when and if possible, we perform several text and ignition start attempts.
Find out about our other mobile locksmithing services: key replacement and cutting, key fob programming, car locks re-keying. Whether it's in downtown Chicago or any suburb nearby, our technicians will travel straight to your car. For a full list of services, see the Dependable Car Locksmith Services page.
