Northside Car Keys are brisbane's go-to locksmiths for ignition repairs
Ignition faults are a frustrating issue that can leave you stranded. Fortunately, with the right parts and know-how, most ignition problems can be fixed with minimal wait time. Northside Car Keys are experts in ignition repairs. Our mobile service can come to your car, or our Herston workshop has tow-truck access and vehicle storage space if needed. We carry a wide range of replacement parts for ignition repairs of all kinds - whether it be worn wafers, a steering lock issue or ignition switch failure. Read on for more details on symptoms of ignition repairs, common problems and how we can help.
Do I need an ignition repair?
An ignition repair is required when one of the components making up the ignition breaks or wears out. There are some telltale signs that can tell you if something in your ignition is not working, and an ignition repair or replacement may be needed.
Both your keys and the ignition have multiple components that get mechanically worn down over time. Here's what to look for to tell if the problem lies with the keys or the ignition:
Faulty ignition symptoms
Does the key get jammed or stuck?
Is the key overly resistant and difficult to turn through the On, Accessories and Run positions?
Does the key turn too freely, not clicking into the Accessories/Run positions?
Does the key fail to spring back into position when starting the car?
Can the key be removed from the ignition from any position other than Off?
Does the key unlock but not start the car?
Does the car fail to respond to the key being turned ('no reaction' to being started)?
Faulty Key symptoms
Are the blade cuts on the key worn down?
Are the peaks and troughs in the key rounded/flattened instead of relatively sharp?
Is the key blade bent or twisted?
Is your remote key casing broken or cracked?
If the casing is broken, are you missing the transponder chip that allows the car to start?
If you answered yes to any of these, it's likely the key needs replacing. We can help! Call or click below for information on replacing the key or the casing.
What's going on with my ignition?
Several things could be going wrong within your ignition to cause it to fail. There are many small moving parts within the lock and associated modules around the keyway.
Most commonly, ignition fixes are needed when the key or wafers are worn down or damaged. Ignition barrels usually have 8-12 wafers within them (sometimes referred to as pins, discs or "tumblers") that must fall on the shear line when the key is inserted for it to turn. If either the wafers or key are worn down or damaged, the pins will not fall on the shear line and stop the key from turning (ie, it might 'jam' or get stuck at a particular point whilst turning). It may only take one damaged or worn down wafer to stop the key being able to turn completely.
If the key is turning too freely, it can indicate a break in one of the deeper turning parts of the ignition. If there is none of the usual resistance felt when turning the key in the ignition, or it is not clicking into any of the positions (Accessories, On or Run). The break means that the car cannot sense the key turning, and the ignition switch cannot be activated to start the car. This problem requires the ignition to be removed and broken part replaced.
Sometimes ignition issues can signal a problem with an associated part of the wider vehicle start system. These are associated with the 'no reaction' symptom described above. Ignition switch failures and steering lock (particularly Electronic Steering Lock) failures are common in certain vehicles, which can involve a more in depth repair within the steering column of the vehicle.
Northside Car Keys can diagnose and repair all of these types of ignition problems, ignition switch problems and steering lock failures. Our mobile service can come to the rescue wherever the vehicle is stuck in Brisbane.
what is involved in an ignition repair?
At Northside Car Keys, we don't cut corners when it comes to ignition repairs. If the problem is with your wafers being worn, we will replace them all and fully service your ignition whilst we've taken it apart. We also provide a new blade for your car key as standard, cut back to your car's keycode so that if a worn key was contributing to the problem, it won't anymore.
For ignition problems where the wafers and key are not the problem, we carry a wide range of replacement parts for common problems we see. That way we can have your ignition fixed and your car back up and running in no time. Our mobile service operates 7 days a week, and our Herston workshop is open Monday-Saturday. The Herston site has space to safely store your car if needed, and easy tow truck access.