Ignition Repair — Key Will Not Turn or Is Stuck
Key in the ignition, no movement. Before anyone talks about a starter or a battery, the lock cylinder is worth checking.
The lock side of a no-start problem
An ignition switch has two halves. There is the mechanical cylinder your key goes into, with wafers and springs that wear out like any lock. Then there is the electrical switch behind it that tells the car to crank. Locksmiths work on the first half — the cylinder, its wafers, a key snapped off inside it, or a blade so worn it no longer lines the wafers up. That is the scope of this page.
We say that plainly because the honest answer sometimes is that it is not a lock problem. If the cylinder turns freely to the start position and nothing happens, the issue lies past the lock and belongs with a mechanic or an auto electrician. A technician who finds that will tell you rather than sell you a cylinder you do not need.
Symptoms in our scope
Key will not enter fully
Debris, a bent blade, or a wafer sitting out of position.
Key enters but will not turn
Often worn wafers or a badly worn key — or the steering lock is loaded.
Key spins with no resistance
The cylinder has likely failed internally and stopped driving the switch.
Key snapped off inside
Extraction first, then assessment of the cylinder and a replacement key.
Key sticks in the ACC position
Common wear pattern; the cylinder no longer returns cleanly.
Try this first — it costs nothing
A large share of will-not-turn calls are the steering lock rather than a broken ignition. If the wheels were turned against a curb when you parked, the column lock loads against the cylinder and stops it moving. Rock the steering wheel gently left and right while applying light, steady turning pressure on the key. If it frees up, nothing is broken. If it still will not move, call us.
What we will not claim to do
- We do not diagnose starters, batteries, alternators or fuel systems
- We do not promise every cylinder can be repaired — some have to be replaced
- We do not carry replacement cylinders for every make and model
- If the fault is electrical past the switch, we say so instead of guessing
Why call a locksmith for this
- Cylinder work, extraction and key fitting are core locksmith trade skills
- Mobile service, so a car that cannot start does not have to move first
- Clear scope — if it turns out to be mechanical or electrical, you get told
- Serving Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties
Where we provide this service
NS Locksmith is a mobile service covering Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Palm Beach County. If you are inside those counties, call and give dispatch your exact location so the nearest technician can be routed to you.
Ignition Repair — Questions We Get Asked
Key stuck or refusing to turn?
Try the steering wheel trick above first. If it does not move, call and describe exactly what the key does.
Back to Automotive Locksmith