Ignition Repair & Replacement in Raleigh, NC
Key will not turn, turns freely but nothing happens, or snapped off inside? Raleigh Locksmith Group repairs and replaces ignition cylinders and switches at your location in Raleigh, and keys the new cylinder to your existing key so you are not carrying two.
Symptoms of a failing ignition
Ignition problems usually give warning before they strand you.
- Key is hard to insert or remove, or needs jiggling to turn
- Key turns but the dashboard stays dark and the starter does not engage
- Key turns past the start position or spins freely
- Key is stuck in the ignition and will not come out
- Key broke off in the cylinder
- Steering wheel locked and the key will not release it
- Car starts only on some attempts
What we do
First we rule out the cheap causes: a worn key (a new key cut by code often fixes a “bad ignition”), a jammed steering lock, or a shift interlock. If the cylinder is worn we rebuild it with new wafers or replace it, keyed to your existing key so one key still does doors and ignition. If the electrical switch behind the cylinder has failed we replace that. Broken keys are extracted without damaging the cylinder wherever possible.
Vehicles we service
Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, Dodge, Ram, Jeep, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Subaru, Volkswagen and most others, including older vehicles with worn tumblers and trucks with high-mileage ignitions. Push-to-start vehicles do not have a traditional cylinder; for those, a no-start is usually a fob or immobilizer issue, which we also diagnose.
What it costs
A worn-key fix is a key cut; a cylinder rebuild or replacement is quoted by make and model. Call (919) 372-3667 with the year, make, model and the symptom and we quote it before dispatch.
Diagnosed properly, fixed in your driveway
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Worn key checked firstA new key by code solves many “ignition” complaints for a fraction of a cylinder.
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Keyed to your existing keyReplacement cylinders are repinned so your door key still works the ignition.
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Transponder handledOn chip-key vehicles the new cylinder and keys are programmed to the immobilizer.
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Licensed and insuredOwnership verified before any ignition work.
Ignition repair across Raleigh and Wake County
Mobile service across Raleigh and every town in Wake County, including parking lots, driveways and roadside. Typical arrival inside Raleigh is 20–30 minutes.
Ignition questions
My key will not turn in the ignition. What should I try first?
Turn the steering wheel slightly left and right while turning the key (steering lock), make sure the car is in Park, and try a spare key. If a spare works, your main key is worn. If nothing works, the cylinder is likely worn or jammed; call us.
Can you fix the ignition without towing the car?
Yes. Ignition repairs and replacements are done at your location.
Will I need a different key for the new ignition?
No. We key the replacement cylinder to your existing key so one key still works doors and ignition.
My key broke off in the ignition. Can you remove it?
Yes. We extract the broken piece without damaging the cylinder in most cases and cut a new key on site.
Does a new ignition need programming on a chip-key car?
The cylinder itself does not, but if new keys are cut they are programmed to the immobilizer on site.
How long does it take?
A worn-key fix is minutes. A cylinder rebuild or replacement is typically 45–90 minutes depending on the vehicle.
Ignition acting up?
Call with the year, make, model and symptom for a quote before dispatch.