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Crenshaw Lock

Ignition Repair in El Segundo · 24/7 mobile

Ignition Repair in El Segundo, CA

Crenshaw Lock Company provides 24/7 mobile ignition repair in El Segundo, California. If your key won't turn, sticks, or the ignition cylinder is worn or damaged, we come to your car and repair or replace it on site. Call (323) 997-8867 any hour.

  • Mobile to your El Segundo location
  • Available 24/7
  • Price quoted before we start
Call (323) 997-8867or tap to call — we answer 24/7
Key in a car ignition cylinder with the dashboard glowing
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An ignition that won't cooperate rarely fails at a convenient moment. The key goes in but won't turn, the steering wheel stays locked, the key comes out bent, or the cylinder spins with nothing happening. In El Segundo, that can happen in a driveway on a quiet west-side block, in a parking structure on a corporate campus, or on a side street near Main Street after dinner. In each case the car sits where it is, and a tow to a shop is often an unnecessary extra step.

Crenshaw Lock Company is fully mobile. We have no storefront, so there is nothing to tow your car to. David Shar has run the business since 1987, and our technicians bring the tools and parts to the vehicle. Most ignition problems are mechanical: worn wafers inside the cylinder, a worn key, a damaged lock housing, or a broken part from forced entry or an attempted theft. Many can be handled right where the car is parked.

This page explains how ignition repair works, what affects the cost, and what to expect if you call us from El Segundo. We don't quote prices on a web page, because the right answer depends on your vehicle and what is actually wrong. We'd rather diagnose it first and tell you plainly what it needs.

How it works in El Segundo

  1. 1

    Call and describe the symptoms

    Call (323) 997-8867 at any hour. Tell us the make, model, and year, and what the key is doing: refusing to turn, sticking, spinning freely, or breaking off. Also mention whether the steering wheel is locked and whether the car has a transponder or push-button start. These details help us bring the right parts.

  2. 2

    We come to your vehicle

    We are mobile and available 24/7, so we meet you where the car is, whether that's a driveway, a street, or a parking lot. You don't need to arrange a tow. We confirm the vehicle is yours before we start any work.

  3. 3

    Diagnose the real cause

    A key that won't turn isn't always a bad ignition. A worn key, a locked steering column, a weak battery, or debris in the cylinder can all produce the same symptom. We check these first so you only pay for the repair you need.

  4. 4

    Repair or replace the cylinder

    If the cylinder is worn or damaged, we repair it where possible or replace it with a matching unit. Where the vehicle allows, we cut a key to the new cylinder so the car works with a key you hold in your hand.

  5. 5

    Program and test

    Many modern vehicles use transponder chips or other electronic security. After the mechanical work, we make sure the key and the car communicate properly, then test starting, accessory positions, and key removal several times.

  6. 6

    Review and next steps

    We explain what we found and what we did. If the worn key caused the damage, we'll suggest replacing it, and we'll mention a spare so you aren't stranded again.

Need ignition repair in El Segundo?

24/7 Mobile Locksmith across Greater Los Angeles & Ventura County. We answer 24/7.

Call (323) 997-8867

What affects the price

  • Vehicle make, model, and year, since some ignition assemblies are simple and others are tied into the steering column and security electronics.
  • Whether the cylinder can be repaired or must be fully replaced, including the cost of the replacement part.
  • Whether the key needs to be cut or programmed, particularly for transponder or chip keys.
  • Damage from forced entry or a theft attempt, which can involve the steering column, housing, or wiring.
  • The time of day and the location of the vehicle, since after-hours and urgent service call-outs differ from scheduled daytime visits.
  • Whether additional keys or a spare are needed at the same visit.

Why El Segundo chooses us

  • We are fully mobile, so repairs happen at your car in El Segundo. There is no storefront and no required tow.
  • The business has operated since 1987 under owner and lead technician David Shar, so ignition problems aren't new to us.
  • We diagnose before replacing anything, because a sticking key is sometimes a worn key and not a failed cylinder.
  • We handle both the mechanical cylinder work and the key cutting and programming in one visit where the vehicle allows.
  • Our service is available 24/7, which matters for shift workers, airport travelers, and anyone whose car quits late at night.
  • We explain the cause and the options plainly, without pushing replacement when a repair will do.

Ignition Repair across El Segundo

El Segundo is a small town with two very different parts. West of Sepulveda Blvd, the residential grid of 1920s to 1940s bungalows and 1950s homes has driveways and curb parking where older cars often live. Cars that have been parked outdoors near the coast can develop sticky, gritty ignition cylinders, and a key that has been turned thousands of times wears down the wafers. We get calls from the West Side residential grid, from Downtown and Main Street, where a car may stall after a night out, and from Smoky Hollow, where creative and light-industrial tenants park on the street all day.

East of Sepulveda, the picture changes to large corporate and aerospace campuses, with the Los Angeles Air Force Base, Mattel headquarters, and the refinery area nearby. Employees, contractors, and fleet drivers regularly park in big lots, and an ignition failure at the end of a long shift is a real problem. Fleet and company vehicles with heavy use are especially prone to worn cylinders. We can meet you in a parking lot or garage in ZIP 90245 without you leaving the car to find a shop.

Whether you're near Imperial Hwy, Rosecrans Ave, El Segundo Blvd, Aviation Blvd, or just off the I-105, call (323) 997-8867. We serve El Segundo around the clock, and we'll tell you honestly whether you need a quick repair or a full ignition cylinder replacement.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

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Other El Segundo locksmith services

See all of our El Segundo services, or our citywide ignition repair page.

Ignition Repair in El Segundo — FAQs

Why won't my key turn in the ignition?
Common causes include a worn key, worn wafers inside the cylinder, a steering wheel locked under tension, a weak battery, or debris. We diagnose the actual cause before replacing anything. Call (323) 997-8867 and describe what happens when you try the key.
Can you repair an ignition at my home in El Segundo?
In most cases, yes. We are fully mobile, so we come to your driveway or street, including the West Side residential grid, and do the work on site. There is no need to tow the car.
Do I need a new ignition or just a new key?
Sometimes a worn key is the entire problem, and a freshly cut key works fine. If the cylinder itself is worn or damaged, it needs repair or replacement. We check both before recommending anything.
Can you fix an ignition damaged by a theft attempt?
Often we can, though damage varies. A forced ignition may involve the cylinder, housing, steering column, or wiring. We assess the damage and explain what is needed. Call (323) 997-8867 to start.
Will the new ignition work with my transponder key?
Many vehicles need the key and car to communicate electronically. After the mechanical work we make sure the key is programmed and tested where the vehicle allows, so it starts reliably.
Do you work on company or fleet vehicles?
Yes. If you manage vehicles for an office, campus, or business in El Segundo, we can service ignition problems in parking lots or lots on site. Call (323) 997-8867 to discuss your situation.
Are you available at night or on weekends?
Yes. We operate 24/7 and are fully mobile, so a late-night ignition failure doesn't have to wait until morning.
How much will ignition repair cost?
It depends on the vehicle, whether the cylinder is repaired or replaced, key cutting and programming needs, and the time and place of service. We explain the factors after diagnosing the problem so you know what to expect.
DS

Reviewed by David Shar — Owner & Lead Technician

Crenshaw Lock Company has served Greater Los Angeles & Ventura County since 1987.

Last updated 2026-10-12.

Call (323) 997-8867 · Open 24/7