Ignition Repair & Replacement

Many ignition problems can be repaired without full replacement. Repair is faster, cheaper, and lets you keep your existing keys. We favor repair when it's a viable option.

Worn wafers are the most common repairable issue. The wafers inside your ignition cylinder correspond to the cuts on your key. When they wear, they stop engaging properly. We can rebuild the cylinder with new wafers matched to your key - essentially restoring the ignition to new condition. This typically costs $150-250 and takes about an hour.

Stuck or binding cylinders can often be repaired by cleaning, lubricating, and adjusting internal components. Austin's heat and dust accelerate wear, and sometimes accumulated debris prevents smooth operation. A thorough cleaning and service can restore function without replacement.

Full replacement is necessary when the cylinder housing is damaged, when internal components are broken (not just worn), or when the ignition has been damaged in a break-in attempt. Replacement involves installing a new ignition assembly and programming it to work with your car's immobilizer system. This costs more ($250-400 typically) but provides a completely fresh starting point.

We'll explain what we find during diagnosis and give you options. If repair is viable, we'll quote repair. If replacement is necessary, we'll explain why and quote that. No pressure to replace what can be repaired.

Certain vehicles have known ignition problems. If you drive one of these, the symptoms may be familiar.

GM trucks and SUVs from the mid-2000s through 2010s have notorious ignition switch issues. The switch can fail suddenly, sometimes shutting off the engine while driving. GM issued recalls, but many vehicles missed the fixes. If you have a Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, or similar from this era, ignition problems are unfortunately common.

Honda Accords and Civics from 2003-2007 often develop worn ignition cylinders. The wafers wear faster than on other vehicles, leading to keys that turn hard or won't turn at all. Wafer replacement fixes this reliably.

Ford F-150s and Rangers can develop problems with the Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) that manifests as ignition issues. The key turns, but the PATS light flashes and the engine won't start. This is actually a transponder/immobilizer issue rather than a physical ignition problem - we diagnose to distinguish between the two.

Toyota trucks with high mileage often need ignition cylinder service. The cylinders are durable but eventually wear. The good news is parts are readily available and repairs are straightforward.

We're familiar with these patterns and many others. When you describe your vehicle and symptoms, we often have a good idea what we'll find before arriving.

We come to wherever your car is stuck - your driveway, your office parking lot, the H-E-B parking lot, a roadside in Cedar Park. Ignition problems don't require towing to our shop or to a dealer. We carry the tools and common parts to handle most repairs on-site.

Diagnosis takes 15-30 minutes. We'll test the key, examine the cylinder, and check the switch. You'll get a clear explanation of what's wrong and your options for repair or replacement.

Most repairs take 1-2 hours including diagnosis. Simple wafer replacements are on the shorter end; full ignition replacements take longer because we need to program your transponder keys to the new cylinder.

For full replacements, we can either match the new ignition to your existing key (if the key is in good condition) or provide new keys programmed to the new ignition. Matching to your existing key means you keep the same key for doors and ignition. New keys give you fresh hardware throughout.

We test everything thoroughly before leaving. You'll start your car multiple times with us present to verify the repair holds. If anything's not right, we address it on the spot.