Car Ignition Repair in Indianapolis

What causes an ignition to wear out

Ignition cylinders contain small spring-loaded pins that wear down from years of key insertion and turning, or from a worn key rubbing them out of shape. Dirt, road salt, and metal shavings from a worn key also build up inside the cylinder, adding friction that makes turning harder over time.

Repair versus full replacement

Many sticking ignitions can be disassembled, cleaned, and have worn pins reset or replaced without pulling the entire ignition switch out of the steering column. If the cylinder housing itself is cracked, or the electrical switch behind it has failed, that points toward replacement instead.

• Cleaning and lubricating internal wafers/pins
• Replacing worn tumbler pins
• Diagnosing whether the fault is mechanical or electrical

Warning signs worth acting on early

A key that's hard to insert, an ignition that only turns after wiggling the steering wheel, or a key that gets stuck in position after the car starts are all early indicators. Left alone, these often progress to a fully seized ignition that strands the car.