Ignition Repair in San Dimas · 24/7 mobile
Ignition Repair in San Dimas, California
Crenshaw Lock Company provides 24/7 mobile ignition repair in San Dimas, California. We come to you to fix ignition cylinders, free up keys that won't turn, and replace worn parts on site. Call (323) 997-8867 any hour, any day, and describe what your car is doing.
- Mobile to your San Dimas location
- Available 24/7
- Price quoted before we start

An ignition problem rarely announces itself politely. The key goes in but won't turn, the steering wheel seems locked solid, or the key turns and nothing happens. Sometimes the key comes out bent, or the cylinder feels gritty and loose. Each of these points to a different cause, and the right fix depends on which one you have. Crenshaw Lock Company has handled automotive locks since 1987, under owner and lead technician David Shar, and ignitions are a regular part of that work.
We are fully mobile, so there is no shop to tow your car to. In San Dimas that matters. Plenty of residents commute on the 210 or the 57, and a car that won't start in a driveway off San Dimas Ave, in a parking area near Bonelli Park, or behind a Bonita Ave business is far better repaired where it sits than hauled away.
We work around the clock. If your ignition fails late at night after an event, or early before a drive out the Foothill Freeway, call (323) 997-8867. We will talk through the symptoms, tell you what we think is going on, and explain what a repair or replacement involves before we start.
How it works in San Dimas
- 1
Describe the symptoms by phone
When you call (323) 997-8867, we ask what happens when you insert and turn the key. Does it stick, spin freely, or turn without starting the engine? Is the steering wheel locked? Is the key worn or damaged? Those answers help us bring the right tools and parts.
- 2
Confirm the vehicle and ownership
We note the make, model, and year and verify you are entitled to work on the vehicle. That protects you and keeps ignition work from being used on a car that isn't yours.
- 3
Diagnose at your location
On arrival we test the key, the cylinder, and the steering column lock. Many no-turn complaints come from a worn key, debris in the cylinder, or a binding steering lock, and these are often simpler than a full replacement.
- 4
Repair or replace the cylinder
If the cylinder is worn or damaged, we repair it or replace it. A new cylinder can be keyed to work with your door key where the vehicle allows. We explain which route fits your car and why.
- 5
Cut and test keys
After the work we test the key repeatedly in the ignition, doors, and any other lock it should operate. If your vehicle uses a transponder key, we address that programming requirement as part of the job where possible.
- 6
Final check and next steps
We make sure the car starts, the steering column moves freely, and the key feels smooth. We also tell you whether a worn spare key should be replaced so the problem doesn't return.
Need ignition repair in San Dimas?
24/7 Mobile Locksmith across Greater Los Angeles & Ventura County. We answer 24/7.
What affects the price
- Whether the existing cylinder can be repaired or has to be fully replaced
- Vehicle make, model, and year, since some ignition systems are more involved than others
- Whether the key is a basic mechanical key or a transponder or chip key needing programming
- How many keys need to be cut or replaced, including worn spares
- Damage to the steering column lock or related parts found during diagnosis
- Time of day and how far we travel to your location
Why San Dimas chooses us
- Fully mobile service: we come to your driveway, parking lot, or roadside spot, with no storefront and no tow required
- Open 24/7, so a stuck ignition at an odd hour doesn't mean waiting until morning
- In business since 1987, with the owner, David Shar, leading the technical work
- We diagnose before replacing, because a worn key or debris is sometimes the real culprit
- We explain the options and what affects the price before work begins, so there are no surprises
Ignition Repair across San Dimas
San Dimas is a mix of suburban and semi-rural settings, and cars end up in all of them. In the 91773 ZIP code we get calls from homes along the ranch-style streets built in the 1960s and 70s, where a car sits in the driveway for days and a worn ignition finally gives out. Via Verde's hillside homes often have steep driveways, and a car that won't start or won't release its steering lock there is better handled by a technician who comes to you.
Out toward San Dimas Canyon, properties are larger and some have horse-keeping setups, barns, and gated drives. Trucks and older vehicles used for hauling feed or trailers tend to have heavily used ignitions, and the key wear shows. We can service the ignition in your yard and, if you also need gate or padlock work, we can discuss that on the same visit.
Downtown on Bonita Ave, business owners and visitors sometimes find a car that won't start after a day at the western-style shops, or after a trip to Raging Waters or Puddingstone Reservoir. Whether you are near Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park, San Dimas Canyon Park, or a few minutes from the 210, 57, or Arrow Hwy, call (323) 997-8867 and we will come to you.
- Via Verde (hillside planned community)
- Downtown / Old Town San Dimas (western-themed)
- San Dimas Canyon
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
24/7 Mobile Locksmith across Greater Los Angeles & Ventura County. We answer 24/7.
Other San Dimas locksmith services
Access ControlInstall keypad, card and fob access-control systems for business entrances.
Automotive LocksmithMobile auto locksmith for cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs and fleets.
Broken Key ExtractionKey snapped in a lock or ignition? We extract the piece and cut a replacement.
Business LockoutLocked out of a store, office or commercial building? Rapid commercial entry.
Car Key ReplacementReplace lost or broken car keys — cut and programmed on site, even with no original.
Car LockoutKeys locked in the car or trunk? Fast, damage-free vehicle unlocking.
Commercial Door HardwareRepair and replace storefront, aluminum-frame and mortise door hardware.
Commercial LocksmithBusiness locksmith for offices, stores, warehouses and industrial sites.
Deadbolt InstallationAdd or replace single- and double-cylinder deadbolts for stronger doors.
Door Closer RepairRepair, adjust and replace hydraulic door closers on commercial doors.
Emergency Locksmith24/7 emergency dispatch for lockouts and urgent lock failures across Greater LA.
Gate Lock RepairRepair and install gate locks and latches, including keypad and smart gate locks.
High Security LocksInstall pick-, bump- and drill-resistant high-security locks and keys.
House LockoutLocked out of a house, apartment or condo? Damage-free entry on location.
Key DuplicationCut and copy house, office, mailbox and restricted keys on location.
Key Fob ReplacementReplace and program remote key fobs and smart/proximity keys.
Lock InstallationInstall new locks on new doors or where none existed before.
Lock RekeyingRekey existing locks so old keys stop working — ideal after a move or sale.
Lock RepairFix sticking, jammed, loose or misaligned locks, deadbolts and latches.
Lock ReplacementSwap worn, damaged or outdated locks for new hardware keyed to your needs.
Mailbox Lock ReplacementReplace and rekey residential, cluster and community mailbox locks.
Master Key SystemDesign and install master-key and restricted-key systems with key control.
Panic Bar InstallationInstall and repair panic bars, exit devices and emergency-exit hardware.
Residential LocksmithFull home locksmith service — rekeys, replacements, repairs and upgrades.
Safe LocksmithOpen, repair and service home and commercial safes; change combinations.
Smart Lock InstallationInstall, set up and troubleshoot smart, keyless and keypad locks.
Transponder Key ProgrammingProgram chip/transponder keys to your vehicle's immobilizer.
See all of our San Dimas services, or our citywide ignition repair page.
Ignition Repair in San Dimas — FAQs
Why won't my key turn in the ignition?
Can you fix an ignition without towing my car?
Do I always need a new ignition cylinder?
Will the new ignition work with my existing key?
My key turns but the engine won't start. Is that the ignition?
What affects the cost of ignition repair?
Are you available at night or on weekends?
Do you have a shop in San Dimas I can visit?
Reviewed by David Shar — Owner & Lead Technician
Crenshaw Lock Company has served Greater Los Angeles & Ventura County since 1987.
Last updated 2026-10-12.