Ignition Repair in Port St. Lucie

Why People Call Us About Broken Ignitions

You're about to head to work. Stick the key in the ignition. Won't turn.

You try wiggling the steering wheel. Still nothing. You force it harder. Key snaps off in your hand.

Now you're standing in your driveway with half a key, a car that won't start, and a meeting in 45 minutes.

I've been fixing ignitions across Port St. Lucie since 2009. Honda Civics in Tradition. Ford F-150s in St. Lucie West. That BMW sitting in Jensen Beach right now with a stuck ignition. Every single one has the same issue: something in that ignition cylinder wore out or broke.

The 5 Ignition Problems We Fix Every Week

Key Won't Turn At All

This is the big one. Key goes in fine. But when you try to turn it? Nothing. Locked solid.

Usually it's worn wafers inside the cylinder. Every time you turn your key, tiny metal wafers lift up to match your key's cuts. After 100,000 key turns, they wear down. Eventually they bind up.

Sometimes it's the steering wheel lock. Your wheel's turned at just the wrong angle, and the lock pin is stuck. Try wiggling the wheel while turning the key. If that doesn't work, the cylinder's the problem.

Fix? We can rebuild the cylinder if it's not too far gone. Or we replace it with a new one and program fresh keys. Takes 45-60 minutes on-site.

Key Stuck in the Ignition

Car's off. You want to remove your key. Won't budge.

On automatic transmissions, this usually means the shifter interlock isn't working right. Your car thinks you're not fully in Park. Sometimes the button on the shifter is stuck.

Could also be a dead battery or low voltage. Your car's electronics need enough juice to release the key lock mechanism.

Or the ignition cylinder itself is binding. The release mechanism that should let your key slide out has failed.

We diagnose which one it is. Fix the actual problem. Get your key out without breaking anything.

Broken Key Stuck in There

Keys break. They're metal. They wear down. You force it one too many times and snap - half your key is now stuck in your ignition.

We extract broken keys without damaging the cylinder. We've got specialized tools that grab the broken piece and pull it straight out.

After extraction? We cut you a fresh key, test it, make sure the cylinder isn't damaged. If the break damaged the wafers, we might need to replace the cylinder.

Ignition Feels Loose or Wobbly

Your key turns too easily. The whole cylinder wobbles. Sometimes you can turn it without a key.

This happens after break-in attempts. Someone tried to pry or drill your ignition. Didn't get it started, but they damaged the cylinder housing.

No fixing this one. The cylinder's compromised. We replace it, install a new housing, program new keys. Your car's more secure than before.

Car Starts Then Dies Immediately

Key turns fine. Car cranks. Fires up. You release the key and the engine dies.

This isn't the cylinder. This is the ignition switch - the electrical component behind the cylinder.

The switch has a "run" position that powers your fuel pump and ignition system. When it fails, releasing the key cuts power and your engine dies.

We replace the ignition switch. It's more labor-intensive than a cylinder (we have to get behind the steering column), but we do it on-site. Takes 1-2 hours.

Ignition Cylinder vs Ignition Switch (They're Different)

Most people think these are the same thing. They're not.

Ignition Cylinder

This is the mechanical lock part. Where your key goes in. It has wafers or pins that match your key's cuts. When you turn your key, you're turning this cylinder.

Problems: Key won't turn, key stuck, wafers worn out, cylinder loose.

Cost to replace: $150-350 including programming new keys.

Ignition Switch

This is the electrical part behind the cylinder. When you turn the cylinder, it rotates the switch. The switch sends power to your starter, fuel pump, and ignition system.

Problems: Car won't start even though key turns, car starts then dies, electrical components don't work in certain key positions.

Cost to replace: $200-450 (more labor-intensive, requires steering column disassembly).

Sometimes both fail. Sometimes just one. We diagnose which one's the problem before we start work.

How We Fix Ignitions Without Towing

Dealers want you to tow your car to them. Leave it overnight. Come back tomorrow. Pay $600.

We show up where you are. Your driveway. Work parking lot. Side of the road.

Our Mobile Ignition Repair Process

Step 1: You call. Tell us what's happening and where you are.

Step 2: We dispatch a tech with a fully stocked van. Average response time: 20-35 minutes in Port St. Lucie.

Step 3: Diagnose the problem. Is it the cylinder? The switch? Both? Electrical issue? Steering lock?

Step 4: Fix it on the spot. We carry common ignition cylinders and switches for popular vehicles. If it's unusual, we might need to order a part, but we'll secure your car and get you mobile.

Step 5: Program new keys if needed. We have transponder programming equipment on board.

Step 6: Test everything. Make sure your car starts, key comes out, all positions work properly.

Time? Most ignition repairs take 45-90 minutes. You're usually back on the road within an hour.

What Ignition Repair Actually Costs

Dealers will quote $500-800. We're usually $150-450 depending on what's broken.

Ignition cylinder replacement: $180-350. Includes new cylinder, cutting keys, programming transponder chips.

Ignition switch replacement: $220-450. More labor because we have to access behind the steering column.

Broken key extraction: $85-150. If the cylinder's still good, we just extract and cut a new key.

Cylinder repair (if possible): $120-200. Sometimes we can clean it out, replace worn wafers, get more life out of it.

Emergency after-hours service: Add $75-100 to regular pricing.

We give you the price before we start. You approve it. Then we fix it.

Real Ignition Repairs We've Handled

The Monday Morning Honda Disaster

Woman in Tradition. Monday at 7:30 AM. Sticks her key in her Accord's ignition. Snaps in half.

She's got a presentation at 9 AM in Fort Pierce. Completely panicking.

We got there at 8:05. Extracted the broken key. Ignition wafers were worn but functional. Cut two new keys. Programmed the transponder chips. She was on the road by 8:35.

She made her meeting. Sent us cookies the next week.

The Beach Parking Lot F-150

Guy at Jensen Beach. Spent the day fishing. Gets back to his truck. Key won't turn at all.

He tries forcing it. Steering wheel's locked at an angle. Nothing works.

We arrived. Ignition cylinder was completely worn out (truck had 180,000 miles). Replaced the cylinder, rekeyed it to match his door key, programmed the transponder chip.

Done in 55 minutes. He paid $220. Drove home happy.

The Break-In Attempt Aftermath

Someone tried to steal a Nissan outside a Port St. Lucie apartment. Didn't get it started, but they wrecked the ignition trying.

Owner found it in the morning. Ignition cylinder destroyed. Housing bent. Key wouldn't even go in.

We replaced the entire ignition assembly. New cylinder, new housing, new switch. Programmed two new keys. Took about 90 minutes.

Cost $380. Way better than paying a tow plus dealer pricing.

Why Your Ignition Wears Out Faster in Florida

Port St. Lucie's humidity accelerates ignition wear. Moisture gets inside the cylinder. Corrodes the springs and wafers.

If you're near the coast (Jensen Beach, Stuart, Port Salerno), salt air makes it worse. We see corroded ignition cylinders on 8-10 year old cars all the time.

Add the fact that your car sits in 90-degree heat all day, and metal parts expand and contract constantly. Everything wears faster.

Can You Prevent Ignition Problems?

Can't stop them forever. But you can slow them down.

Don't hang heavy stuff on your keychain. That weight pulls down on the ignition when you drive. Wears out the wafers faster. Use a separate keyring for your car key.

Don't force it. If your key won't turn, don't muscle it. Wiggle the steering wheel first. If that doesn't work, call us. Forcing it just breaks things.

Replace worn keys. If your key's visibly worn down, get a fresh cut. Worn keys accelerate cylinder wear.

Lubricate occasionally. A little graphite powder in the cylinder once a year helps. Don't use WD-40 - it gums up.

What If I Lost All My Car Keys?

We can still fix your ignition and make new keys. We use your VIN to cut fresh keys, then program the transponder chips.

If the ignition's already broken, we replace it and program new keys to the new cylinder and your car's computer.

Takes longer (1-2 hours) and costs more ($300-500), but it's doable. You don't need an existing key to get this done.

Common Questions About Ignition Repair

Can you fix my ignition today?

Usually yes. We carry common ignition cylinders for Honda, Toyota, Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan. For less common vehicles, we might need to order a part, but we'll try everything to get you mobile same-day.

Will my new keys work in the doors?

Most cars use the same key for ignition, doors, and trunk. When we replace your ignition cylinder, we can rekey it to match your existing door key. Or we can rekey all your locks to match the new ignition key. You choose.

Do I need to tow my car to you?

Nope. We're mobile. We come to wherever your car is stuck. Driveway, parking lot, roadside, anywhere in Port St. Lucie and the Treasure Coast.

How long does ignition repair take?

Cylinder replacement: 45-75 minutes. Switch replacement: 1-2 hours. Broken key extraction: 15-30 minutes. Lost all keys: 1-2 hours.

What about cars with push-button start?

Those don't have traditional ignition cylinders. They have electronic start buttons and steering column locks. We can fix those too, but it's different equipment and processes. Call us with your specific vehicle and we'll tell you what's involved.

Is this covered by insurance?

Depends on your policy. If your ignition was damaged in a break-in or theft attempt, comprehensive coverage might pay for it. Normal wear and tear usually isn't covered. Check with your insurance company.

Service Areas for Mobile Ignition Repair

We provide mobile ignition repair throughout Port St. Lucie and the Treasure Coast:

• Port St. Lucie
• Saint Lucie West
• Tradition
• Fort Pierce
• Jensen Beach
• Stuart
• Palm City
• Port Salerno
• Rio

Get Your Car Running Again

Stuck ignition? Broken key? Worn-out cylinder? We fix it where you are.

No towing. No waiting days. No $600 dealer bills.

Just fast, professional ignition repair that gets you back on the road.

Related Automotive Services

• Automotive Locksmith Services - Complete car locksmith solutions
• Transponder Key Programming - Program chip keys on-site
• Car Key Replacement - Lost keys, spare keys, broken keys
• Car Lockout Service - Locked out? We'll get you in