Car Ignition Repair & Cylinder Replacement in Toronto
Key will not turn, sticks in the ignition, or the car will not start even with the right key? We repair, rebuild and replace ignition lock cylinders where your car is parked, so in most cases you do not need a tow.
- Family owned since 2010
- Licensed and insured
- Free quotes
- Mobile: we come to you
Why ignition cylinders stop turning
An ignition lock cylinder wears out over years of use. The small wafers inside it wear down along with the key, until the key no longer lines them up and the cylinder will not turn. A heavy key ring, a worn or bent key, or forcing the key can speed this up.
Ignition switch or ignition cylinder? The cylinder is the part your key turns, and that is what we repair and replace. The ignition switch is the electrical part behind it. If the key turns freely but nothing powers on, the switch may be at fault, and a mechanic or dealer usually replaces it. We check which part has failed before quoting.
The ignition switch tells the starter to crank the engine and powers most of the electronics in your car. Most newer cars also use a transponder chip in the key. If the car does not recognise the chip, it will not start even when the key turns.
Signs the ignition needs attention
- The key will not turn, even though it is the right key
- You need more force than before to turn the key
- The key sticks and will not come out
- A key broke off inside the ignition
- The dashboard or accessories cut in and out when the key moves
- The key turns but the engine does not start and a security light flashes
A key that is getting harder to turn usually gets worse. Having it checked early often means a repair instead of a full replacement.
What we do at your car
We come to your home, workplace or parking lot with our tools and parts for common makes. Depending on what we find, we:
- Extract a key that is broken or stuck in the ignition
- Clean and rebuild the existing cylinder with new wafers
- Replace the cylinder and match it to your current key where possible
- Cut and program new keys if the cylinder or keys have to change
No towing needed, the work is done where the car is parked, and the price is agreed before we start.
How we repair an ignition
Call or text us
Tell us the make, model and year, and what the key is doing. We give you a free quote.
Diagnosis at your car
We check the key, the cylinder and, on cars with transponder keys, whether the car reads the chip.
Repair or replace
We remove the steering column covers, take out the cylinder, and rebuild or replace it.
Keys and testing
If needed, we cut and program keys, then test start, accessories and steering lock before we leave.
Ignition work involves the steering column, nearby airbag wiring and anti-theft parts. Forcing the key or pulling the cylinder without the right tools often turns a repair into a bigger job.
Ignition repairs we have done
Photos from ignition cylinder repairs and rebuilds by GTA Lockman Mobile Locksmith Services.
