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Crenshaw Lock

Broken Key Extraction in San Fernando · 24/7 mobile

Broken Key Extraction in San Fernando, California

Crenshaw Lock Company provides broken key extraction in San Fernando, California, 24 hours a day. Our fully mobile locksmith comes to your door, car, or storefront, removes the snapped key piece, and cuts a working replacement. Call (323) 997-8867 and tell us where the key broke.

  • Mobile to your San Fernando location
  • Available 24/7
  • Price quoted before we start
Call (323) 997-8867or tap to call — we answer 24/7
Broken key stuck in a lock cylinder next to an extractor tool
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A key that snaps off in a lock is one of those problems that feels small until you are standing outside with half a key in your hand. In San Fernando it can happen at a bungalow front door off Maclay Avenue, in a car ignition after a long drive on the I-5, or at a shop door on the San Fernando Mall just before opening. The good news is that a broken key is usually fixable without damaging the lock, as long as it is handled carefully and not poked at with whatever is lying around.

Crenshaw Lock Company has served Greater Los Angeles and Ventura County since 1987, and David Shar and our technicians have pulled out a great many broken keys over the years. We are fully mobile, with no storefront to visit. We bring the extraction tools and key-cutting equipment to you, so the whole job happens where the lock is.

Our goal is simple: get the broken piece out, check that the lock still works properly, and leave you with a new key that turns smoothly. If the lock is worn out or the key broke because the cylinder was binding, we will tell you plainly and explain the options, whether that means repairing, rekeying, or replacing.

How it works in San Fernando

  1. 1

    You call and describe what happened

    Call (323) 997-8867 at any hour. Tell us whether the key broke in a door, padlock, storefront, or ignition, and whether any of the key is still sticking out. That helps us bring the right tools.

  2. 2

    We assess the lock and the break

    On arrival we look at the lock type, how far the fragment sits inside, and the condition of the cylinder. Older mortise hardware, common in early-1900s San Fernando homes and downtown buildings, is handled differently from a modern deadbolt or a car ignition.

  3. 3

    We extract the broken piece

    Using thin extractor tools made for this job, we remove the fragment without forcing the lock. If part of the key is still visible, we may be able to grip it directly. Otherwise we work it out from inside the keyway.

  4. 4

    We check the lock's condition

    Once the piece is out, we test the cylinder for smooth operation. A lock that was sticky or worn before the break is a common reason keys snap, so we look for that before handing it back.

  5. 5

    We cut a replacement key

    We make a new working key on site, using the broken pieces or the lock itself as a reference. For vehicles, we confirm whether the key needs additional programming or only cutting.

  6. 6

    We test and explain next steps

    We try the new key several times and make sure the lock operates properly. If the lock should be repaired, rekeyed, or replaced, we explain why and let you decide.

Need broken key extraction in San Fernando?

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

Call (323) 997-8867

What affects the price

  • Where the key broke: a standard door lock, padlock, storefront cylinder, or car ignition each take different tools and different amounts of work.
  • How deep the fragment sits and whether any of the key is still accessible, which affects how involved the extraction is.
  • The type and age of the lock, including older mortise or commercial hardware that needs more careful handling.
  • Whether the replacement key is a simple cut key or a vehicle key that requires transponder programming.
  • Whether the lock is damaged or worn and needs repair, rekeying, or replacement beyond the extraction itself.
  • The time of day and location of the call, since we are available 24/7 and travel to you.

Why San Fernando chooses us

  • Fully mobile service: we come to the lock wherever it is, and there is no shop for you to drive to with a half-broken key.
  • Available 24/7, so a key that snaps late at night or on a weekend does not have to wait.
  • In business since 1987, with hands-on experience across modern deadbolts, older mortise sets, storefront hardware, and car ignitions.
  • We aim to save the existing lock whenever it is reasonable, which matters for vintage doors you want to keep.
  • We cut the replacement key on the spot, so extraction and a working key happen in one visit.
  • We tell you honestly if the lock itself is the problem rather than pushing a replacement you do not need.

Broken Key Extraction across San Fernando

San Fernando is a small city of about 2.4 square miles, completely surrounded by Los Angeles, and that compact layout keeps most of the city easy to reach by road from San Fernando Road, Truman Street, Brand Boulevard, Maclay Avenue, the I-5, and CA-118. Our mobile service covers ZIP code 91340 and the surrounding area, and a broken key is handled right where it happens.

Downtown, around the San Fernando Mall and the corner of Truman Street and San Fernando Road, many buildings are early-1900s brick with older storefront doors and transoms. Keys in worn commercial cylinders can snap, especially after years of daily use or following an ownership change when locks are due for rekeying. We can extract the key, and if needed, rekey the lock so the old keys stop working.

In the residential streets near Las Palmas Park and the Layne Park and Recreation Park area, you find early-20th-century bungalows, craftsman and Spanish-style homes, and postwar single-family tracts. Some of the older homes still have original mortise or skeleton-key style hardware. A brittle old key or a stiff lock can break easily, and we take care to preserve the vintage door where possible. Whether it is near Lopez Adobe, City Hall, or a quiet street off Maclay, we come to you.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

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

Call (323) 997-8867

Other San Fernando locksmith services

See all of our San Fernando services, or our citywide broken key extraction page.

Broken Key Extraction in San Fernando — FAQs

Can you remove a broken key from my San Fernando home without replacing the lock?
Usually, yes. Most broken keys can be extracted without damaging the lock. We check the cylinder afterward, and if it is in good shape, you keep it. Call (323) 997-8867 to get started.
Do you work on broken keys in car ignitions?
Yes. We can extract a key fragment from an ignition and cut a replacement. Some vehicles also need the new key programmed, and we will tell you what yours needs. Call (323) 997-8867 any time.
Is there a shop in San Fernando I can bring the lock to?
No. Crenshaw Lock Company is fully mobile with no storefront. We bring tools and key-cutting equipment to your door, car, or business.
Can you help a downtown business on the San Fernando Mall?
Yes. We work on storefront and older commercial locks, including extracting broken keys and rekeying afterward if you want fresh keys for the space.
My house has an old mortise lock. Is it risky to extract a broken key?
It takes care, since older hardware can be worn or delicate. We work gently to protect the lock and the vintage door, and we will explain if repair is wiser than replacement.
Should I try to pull the broken key out myself?
It is best not to. Pliers, glue, or pushing the piece deeper can make extraction harder and damage the cylinder. If part of the key is sticking out, leave it and call us.
Do you offer broken key service at night and on weekends?
Yes. We are available 24/7. Call (323) 997-8867 whenever the key breaks and we will help you figure out the next step.
Why did my key break in the first place?
Common causes are an old, worn key, a copy cut from another copy, or a lock that binds. We look for the cause after extraction so it does not happen again.
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