Bethlehem Emergency LocksmithMobile locksmith, Bethlehem, PA
Ignition repair in Bethlehem, PA
Key will not turn, will not come out, or spins without starting the car? We repair and replace ignition cylinders at your location, and we check the cheap causes first.
What goes wrong in an ignition
An ignition cylinder is a lock, and like any lock it wears. The wafers inside lose their edges, the key gets worn to match, and one day the combination stops lining up. Heavy keyrings speed it along by levering on the cylinder every time you drive. Dirt, a bent key or a broken-off piece inside do the rest.
The symptoms people describe most are: the key goes in but will not turn; the key turns but the car does not respond; the key is stuck and will not come out; or the key turns freely with no resistance at all. Each points to something different, which is why we ask you to describe it exactly when you call.
How we diagnose it
The key first
A worn or bent key causes most "ignition" problems. We try a freshly cut key before anything else, because that is the cheapest fix there is.
Then the cylinder
If the key is fine, the cylinder is worn or jammed. We can often repair it in place; otherwise we fit a new cylinder keyed to your existing key.
Then everything else
If the key and the cylinder are both good, the fault is electrical or in the switch behind the cylinder. We tell you plainly when a job belongs at a mechanic.
Keyed to your existing key
When a cylinder is replaced, we key the new one to match the key you already use for the doors, so you are not carrying two keys for one car. On older cars that is done with wafers; on newer ones the transponder side is programmed as well.
Steering column work varies a lot by make. Some cylinders come out in minutes, some mean removing the column shroud and a few fasteners. The pricing structure for your car's setup is explained before we start.
Ignition questions
The key is stuck in the ignition. Can I leave it?
Do not force it. Make sure the car is in park, wiggle the wheel gently to release the lock, and if it still will not come out, call. We remove it without breaking the blade off inside.
Is it the ignition or the battery?
If the dash lights come on and the key turns, it is not a locksmith problem. If the key physically will not turn or go in, it is. Tell us which and we will steer you right, even if that means not sending a van.
Can you replace an ignition on a push-button car?
Push-button cars do not have a keyed ignition cylinder. If the car will not recognize the fob, that is a fob or programming issue, which we also handle.
Related services
Key will not turn?
Call 484 891 1922 and describe exactly what it does.