Ignition Repair in Milwaukee
An ignition that will not take the key is either worn, jammed or damaged. In Milwaukee, after the theft wave of 2021 and 2022, damaged is more common than it is in most cities.
Three different problems
The key will not turn
Often the steering lock is holding the wheel. Turning the wheel gently while turning the key frees most of these. If it does not, a worn key or a worn cylinder is likely: keys wear their cuts down over a decade of daily use, and a copy made from a worn key copies the wear.
The key broke in the ignition
Leave the stub alone rather than pushing it further in. A locksmith extracts it and cuts a new key from the broken pieces or from a code.
The ignition was attacked
A cracked steering column cover and a cylinder that spins or is missing means someone tried to steal the car. The repair is a new cylinder and often new column trim, and usually a new key to match.
Kia and Hyundai in Milwaukee
Certain Kia models from 2011 to 2022 and Hyundai models from 2008 to 2022 with a turn-key ignition were built without an engine immobiliser, and Milwaukee was where the thefts first spiked. In 2021 roughly two thirds of the vehicles stolen in the city were one of the two makes. Milwaukee police and the makers handed out steering wheel locks at district stations for the affected models.
Both makers now offer a free software update at their dealers that adds an ignition-kill feature to eligible turn-key cars, and a class settlement offered money toward anti-theft devices for cars that cannot take the update. If your car has been attacked, the order is: get the ignition repaired so the car runs and locks, then get the software update done at a dealer, then consider a steering wheel lock as a visible deterrent. Hyundai says every model it built after November 1, 2021 has an immobiliser as standard.
Locksmith, mechanic or dealer
A damaged ignition cylinder is lock work, and an automotive locksmith often does it for less than a dealer, because the job is the cylinder and its housing rather than the steering column as a whole. If the column itself is broken, the wiring is damaged or the airbag light is on, a mechanic or dealer is the right call. A locksmith who tells you that is being honest.
What it costs
Local companies generally quote roughly $150 to $400 for an ignition cylinder repair or replacement, depending on the car, whether parts are in stock and whether new keys are part of it. Theft damage that reaches beyond the cylinder costs more and may be an insurance claim, so photograph the damage before anything is touched.
Car came back with the ignition broken? Call with the year, make and model and a description of the damage. You will hear whether it is a locksmith job and roughly what it costs.
Common questions
Does my insurance cover an ignition damaged in a theft attempt?
Comprehensive coverage often does, less your deductible. File a police report, photograph the damage and ask your insurer before paying for the repair, and keep the invoice.
Is the Kia and Hyundai software update really free?
Yes, for eligible turn-key models at authorised dealers. Check your VIN with the maker first. The update does not repair physical damage, so a broken cylinder still needs fixing.
Can I drive with a damaged ignition?
If the car will not start with a key, no. If it starts but the cylinder is loose or the column is open, it is easier to steal again and may not lock the steering. Get it fixed before it spends another night on the street.
My key turns but nothing happens. Is that the ignition?
Not necessarily. A dead battery, a failing starter or a key the immobiliser no longer recognises can look the same. Say exactly what happens when you turn the key, and the company can tell you whether it is their job.
Other lock and key work in Milwaukee
- Locksmith in Milwaukee, WI
- Car Locksmith in Milwaukee
- Car Key and Fob Replacement in Milwaukee
- House and Apartment Lockouts in Milwaukee
- Rekeying and Lock Changes in Milwaukee
Also serving
Ignition Repair is available beyond Milwaukee, across Wauwatosa , West Allis , Shorewood & Whitefish Bay and Greenfield .
Ask for a price: ignition repair
Give the year, make and model of the car, or the kind of door, and where you are. One local locksmith company reads it and calls you back with a price. Call any time · overnight cover is set by the locksmith on call Or call (414) 296-3124 — if you are locked out right now, calling is faster than the form.