Key won't turn in the ignition? Repair in Memphis, at your car
Most ignition trouble comes from a worn key, a worn cylinder or theft damage, and all three are fixed where the car is parked. Try the free checks below first; if they fail, we text the all-in price before we drive out.
No surprises
Price first, by text, before we drive.
You never pay more unless you approve a new total by text. How it works.
We text or call you back with the all-in price, before anyone drives out.
- Mobile serviceAt your car, home or business.
- A local Memphis locksmithSent from our team.
- No-damage methods firstPicks and air wedges before any drill.
What should you try before booking an ignition repair?
Turn the steering wheel gently while you turn the key, make sure the car is fully in Park, and try the spare key. Those three free checks solve a lot of stuck keys.
- Turn the steering wheel gently left and right while you turn the key. The steering lock often binds if the wheel was turned when the car was shut off.
- Check that the shifter is fully in Park, or Neutral on a manual. Many cars hold the key until it is.
- Try the spare key. If the spare turns smoothly, the first key is worn, not the ignition. A fresh key costs less than a cylinder.
- Look at the security light on the dash. A flashing key or lock symbol, with an engine that cranks but will not run, points to the chip, not the cylinder.
Do not spray oil or grease into the ignition. It traps grit and makes worn parts stick worse. If you want to try something, use a dry graphite lock lube.
What do ignition symptoms usually mean?
The symptom usually points to the part: a key that won't turn means wear, a flashing security light means the chip, and no dash lights means the car battery.
| What you notice | Likely cause | Usual fix |
|---|---|---|
| Key goes in but will not turn | Worn key, or worn wafers in the cylinder | A new key cut to factory depth, or a rebuilt cylinder |
| Key turns only after jiggling | Wafers wearing out | Rebuild or replace before it fails for good |
| Key stuck in the ignition | Not in Park, steering lock bind, or a worn cylinder | Check Park and the wheel first, then repair |
| Key turns with no resistance, or no key needed | Cylinder broken, often by a theft attempt | New cylinder with keys that match |
| Cranks, will not start, security light flashing | Immobilizer not reading the chip | Test the key, then reprogram or replace it |
| No dash lights at all | Car battery or wiring | A jump start or a mechanic, not a locksmith |
Repair or replace the ignition?
Rebuild the cylinder if it is worn but whole. Replace it if it is cracked, drilled or forced.
A rebuild with new wafers keeps your current key working in the doors. A new cylinder can often be coded to your existing key, so one key still runs the doors and the ignition.
The electrical switch behind the cylinder is a separate part. If the dash flickers or the car stalls over bumps, that switch is the likely cause and it is a mechanic's job. We tell you if we see it.
Can a push-to-start ignition be repaired?
There is no key cylinder to repair. Start trouble there usually comes from the fob battery, the brake switch or the car's electronics.
The battery checks are on the fob programming page.
Kia and Hyundai after a theft
The repair is a new ignition cylinder and two keys that work it, quoted as one all-in job.
Many turn-key Kia and Hyundai models were targeted by thieves who crack the column cover and pull the cylinder out. The make page explains the free manufacturer anti-theft fix that helps prevent a repeat: Hyundai and Kia keys and theft repair.
What should you tell us for a quote?
The car, the VIN, and exactly what the key does now.
- Year, make and model, and the VIN by text
- What the key does now: will not go in, will not turn, turns freely, or is stuck
- Whether the spare key behaves the same way
- A photo of the ignition and the column cover if anything looks broken
Other ignition repairs are quoted the same way: one total by text, once we know the symptom and the car.
Questions people ask
Can you get a broken key out of the ignition?
Yes, with extractor tools, and a new key can be cut on the same visit if you want one.
Will my door key still match after a new cylinder?
It can. Ask for the new cylinder to be coded to your existing key. If your car does not allow that, the tech tells you before any work starts.
Why won't my key turn in the ignition?
Most often the steering lock is binding or the key is worn. Turn the wheel gently while you turn the key, then try the spare. If neither helps, the wafers in the cylinder are likely worn.
My key won't come out of the ignition. What now?
Make sure the shifter is fully in Park and the key is turned all the way back to off. Do not force it. If it still holds the key, the cylinder needs repair, done where the car is parked.
How much does ignition replacement cost?
It depends on whether the cylinder can be rebuilt or has to be replaced, and whether new keys are needed. A rebuild costs less than a new cylinder. We text one all-in total before the tech comes.
My key turns but nothing happens. Is that the ignition?
Not always. Check the battery and the shifter position first. If the dash lights up and the starter stays silent, a mechanic may be the right call.
Send us your details
Tell us what happened and we'll text or call you back with the all-in price. Got a photo of the lock, key or VIN sticker? Reply to our text with it.