Broken Key Extraction
Key snapped in the ignition, door, or trunk — removed cleanly without damaging the lock.
from $85
Service
Ignition Switch & Cylinder Repair in Louisville
Key won't turn, key stuck, or ignition worn out — rebuilt or replaced at your vehicle.
$180–$520
Typical range
1–2
hours
24/7
Answered every day
An ignition cylinder is a mechanical component that gets used several times a day for years, with a key that slowly wears down alongside it. Eventually the wafers no longer align cleanly and the key sticks, binds, turns only at a particular angle, or refuses to turn at all.
It rarely fails suddenly. There is almost always a period of having to jiggle the key, and that is the window where a cheap repair is still possible.
Key Squad repairs and replaces ignition cylinders and switches on site — and where possible we key the new cylinder to your existing key, so you do not end up carrying two different keys for one car.
What’s included
Keyed to your original
We rekey the replacement cylinder to match the key you already carry. One key still opens the doors and starts the car.
Cylinder vs switch
The mechanical lock and the electrical switch behind it are different parts with different failure modes. We identify which one actually failed instead of replacing both.
Key extraction
Broken key snapped off in the ignition, or a key that will not come out of the run position — both are same-visit fixes.
Steering lock release
Where a seized steering lock is preventing the key from turning, we free it without damaging the column.
How the visit goes
- 1
Diagnose the real fault
A key that will not turn is often a locked steering column under load or a worn key rather than a failed cylinder. We check the cheap causes first — sometimes the fix is a freshly cut key.
- 2
Access the column
Column shrouds and, where required, airbag-adjacent components are removed carefully and correctly.
- 3
Repair or replace
We rebuild the cylinder where the wafers are serviceable, or fit a replacement keyed to your original.
- 4
Reassemble and test
Every position — accessory, run, start — is tested, along with the steering lock, key release, and any warning lights.
Ignition Repair & Replacement — common questions
My key won't turn in the ignition. Is the ignition broken?
Not necessarily, and it is worth trying the free fix first. If the steering wheel is under tension against the steering lock, the cylinder physically cannot rotate. Apply firm pressure turning the wheel left and right while gently turning the key. If that frees it, your ignition is fine. If it does nothing, the cylinder or the key is worn.
Can you fix it without replacing the whole ignition?
Often yes. If the wafers are worn but intact, a rebuild plus a freshly cut key restores normal operation for a fraction of a replacement. We assess before quoting a replacement.
Will I need a new key if I get a new ignition?
Not with us. We rekey the replacement cylinder to your existing key, so you keep carrying one key. Dealerships frequently hand you a second key for the ignition and leave your door locks on the old one.
My key broke off in the ignition. Can you get it out?
Yes, that is a routine extraction. Please do not try to dig it out with pliers or superglue — that usually pushes the fragment deeper and damages the wafers, turning a simple extraction into a cylinder replacement.
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Stuck right now? Let's get you moving.
Tell us the year, make, and model and we'll give you a firm price on the phone — before anyone is dispatched.
Answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — including holidays.