Why won't my key turn in the ignition?
Most of the time it's one of four things. Some take two minutes to sort out yourself, so try these before you call:
| What you notice | Likely cause | What to try first |
|---|---|---|
| Key won't turn and the steering wheel is stiff | Steering lock is engaged | Turn the wheel gently left and right while you turn the key. This is the most common one. |
| Key turns on some days, not others | Worn key or worn wafers inside the cylinder | Try your spare key. If the spare works, the original key is worn and needs replacing, not the ignition. |
| Key goes in but won't turn at all, even with the spare | Damaged or jammed cylinder | Don't force it. Forcing snaps keys. Call us. |
| Key turns but nothing happens, or the ignition spins freely | Broken cylinder or ignition switch | Call us. We'll check whether it's the lock or an electrical problem before quoting. |
Never use oil or WD-40 in an ignition. It collects grit and makes the problem worse. A locksmith uses a dry lubricant made for locks.
Can a locksmith fix an ignition without towing the car?
Yes, in most cases. We carry the tools to remove, rebuild and replace ignition cylinders in a parking spot, a condo garage or your driveway. That's the main difference from a dealer, where the car usually has to be towed in and booked for a service slot.
What we can do on-site:
- Extract a key that's stuck or snapped inside the ignition (see broken key extraction)
- Clean and rebuild a worn cylinder so the original key works smoothly again
- Replace the cylinder and cut a new key to match
- Program a new chip key if your car needs one (see transponder key programming)
If the problem turns out to be electrical, like a failed ignition switch behind the cylinder or a starter issue, we'll tell you straight away instead of selling you a lock you don't need.
Need ignition repair now? A real person answers 24/7.
Call (647) 367-8113Repair or replace: which one do I need?
We always try repair first because it's cheaper and you keep your existing keys.
- Repair makes sense when the wafers inside are worn or dirty but the cylinder housing isn't damaged. Your current keys keep working.
- Replacement is needed when the cylinder is cracked, has been forced (for example after a theft attempt) or parts are no longer available. You get a new cylinder and new keys. Your door locks keep their original key, so you may carry two keys for a while.
How much does ignition repair cost in Toronto?
It depends on the make, the year and what's actually wrong, so we don't quote a flat number before we know those three things. What we do promise is that you'll hear the price before any work starts, and there's no call-out fee.
Things that move the price:
- Repair vs full replacement of the cylinder
- Whether the car uses a chip key that needs programming
- Push-to-start systems, which are mostly electronic and handled differently
- Time of day, since late-night calls can cost more
Have the year, make and model ready when you call, plus whether you have a working spare key. It lets dispatch give you a much more accurate price on the phone.
Which cars do you work on?
Most cars, SUVs, pickups and vans you see on Toronto roads, including Honda, Toyota, Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Mazda, Volkswagen and Jeep. Some European luxury models with locked electronics have to go to the dealer. If yours is one of them, we'll tell you on the phone so you don't waste a visit.
What happens when you call?
Tell us what the key is doing
Stuck, won't turn, turns but no start. Give us the year, make and model and where the car is.
Get a price and an ETA
Dispatch gives you a price and a realistic arrival time before anyone drives out.
Diagnosis at the car
The technician checks whether it's the key, the cylinder or something electrical and confirms the final price with you.
Fix and test
We repair or replace the cylinder, cut and program keys if needed, and test start the car with you before we leave.
Page reviewed October 2026 by the LocksmithGT team.