Ignition Repair

Ignition repair where the car sits

An ignition that won’t turn leaves the car exactly where it is. Towing it to a shop is one answer. We come to the car and work on the ignition cylinder on site, which for many vehicles gets it started again without a tow.

Signs of a failing ignition:

• The key won’t turn, or only turns after wiggling the wheel
• The key sticks and is hard to pull out
• The key turns but nothing happens
• The key broke off in the ignition

What causes it, and what we do

Usually it’s wear. The wafers inside the cylinder and the cuts on the key grind each other down over the years, and a heavy keyring speeds that up. Sometimes a worn key is the whole problem and a fresh key cut to the original pattern is all it takes.

If the cylinder itself has failed, we repair or replace it depending on the vehicle. If a key is stuck or broken inside, we extract it first. See broken car key extraction for that.

Quick checks before you call

Some no-turn problems aren’t the ignition at all. If the steering wheel is locked hard to one side, turn it gently while you turn the key. Make sure the shifter is fully in park. If you have a spare key, try it, because a worn key is the most common cause.

If none of that helps, stop there. Forcing the key can break it off in the cylinder, and then there are two problems to fix. Tell us what you tried, and we’ll bring the parts for your make and year.

Call (484) 891-1922 with the year, make and model and what the key does when you try it. We’ll go over our pricing structure and give you an estimated arrival time. No extra charge for an emergency.