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Crenshaw Lock

Ignition Repair in Tarzana · 24/7 mobile

Ignition Repair in Tarzana, California

Crenshaw Lock Company provides 24/7 mobile ignition repair in Tarzana, California. We come to your car to repair or replace worn ignition cylinders and fix keys that won't turn, whether you're on Ventura Blvd or in the hills. Call (323) 997-8867 to talk with a locksmith.

  • Mobile to your Tarzana 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 fights you is one of the more stressful car problems, because it usually shows up at the worst moment: leaving a medical appointment, finishing a shift, or heading out early with kids in the back. The key goes in but won't turn, the steering wheel is locked, or the key turns and nothing happens. Sometimes the key comes out bent or worn. Many of these problems come from a worn ignition cylinder, a damaged key, or a steering-column lock that has bound up, and a locksmith can often deal with them without towing the car.

Crenshaw Lock Company has served Greater Los Angeles and Ventura County since 1987, led by owner and lead technician David Shar. We are fully mobile and available 24/7. There is no storefront to visit, so the work happens where your vehicle is parked, whether that is a driveway in the Tarzana flats, a lot behind a Ventura Blvd office building, or the shoulder near a US-101 on-ramp.

On this page we explain how an ignition repair visit works, what affects the cost, and what Tarzana drivers should know. If your car won't start or your key won't turn right now, call (323) 997-8867 and describe what is happening. We will help you work out whether it is likely the key, the cylinder, or something else.

How it works in Tarzana

  1. 1

    Describe the symptoms

    When you call (323) 997-8867, tell us the make, model, and year, and what the key does. Does it refuse to enter, enter but not turn, turn but not start the car, or stick in the ignition? Those details help narrow down the cause before we arrive.

  2. 2

    Confirm ownership

    Before we work on an ignition we ask for proof that the vehicle is yours, such as registration and ID. It protects you and keeps us doing the work responsibly.

  3. 3

    Diagnose at the vehicle

    We check the key for wear or bending, test the steering-column lock, and inspect the cylinder. Often a worn key or a gummed-up cylinder is the culprit, and sometimes the problem is not the ignition at all, such as a dead battery or a security-system fault. We tell you what we find honestly.

  4. 4

    Repair or replace the cylinder

    If the cylinder is worn or damaged, we repair it where possible or replace it. A replacement can be set up to work with your key, or we can cut a new key to match, depending on the vehicle and its anti-theft system.

  5. 5

    Cut and program keys if needed

    Many newer vehicles use transponder or chip keys that must be programmed to the car. If your key is worn out or lost during the failure, we can cut and program a replacement as part of the visit when the vehicle allows it.

  6. 6

    Test before we leave

    We start the car, check that the key turns smoothly, and test the steering lock and accessory positions. You leave knowing it works, and you get any extra keys to keep.

Need ignition repair in Tarzana?

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

Call (323) 997-8867

What affects the price

  • Whether the problem is a worn key, a repairable cylinder, or a cylinder that must be fully replaced.
  • Vehicle make, model, and year, since some ignition assemblies are simple and others are tied closely into the anti-theft system.
  • Whether transponder or chip keys must be cut and programmed, and how many keys you need.
  • Whether the steering-column lock or other related parts are also damaged and need attention.
  • The time of day and the location of the vehicle, since we are available around the clock and travel to you.
  • Whether a broken key is stuck in the ignition and must be extracted first.

Why Tarzana chooses us

  • Fully mobile: we come to your vehicle in Tarzana, so you avoid a tow in many cases.
  • In business since 1987, with owner David Shar leading the work rather than handing it off.
  • Available 24/7, which matters when an ignition fails at night or early morning.
  • We diagnose first and tell you whether the key, cylinder, or something else is the cause, rather than assuming a full replacement.
  • We handle both the mechanical cylinder and the key side, including transponder key cutting and programming where the vehicle supports it.
  • We explain pricing in terms of what affects it, so there are no surprises about what drives the cost.

Ignition Repair across Tarzana

Tarzana sits in the south-central San Fernando Valley, split by Ventura Blvd, and the way people use their cars here varies a lot by area. In the flats north of the Boulevard, in ZIP code 91356, many households park older and newer vehicles in driveways beside 1950s ranch homes and apartment lots. Cars that have been on the same key for years often develop worn ignition cylinders, and we see the classic pattern of a key that needs wiggling before it turns. Streets off Reseda Blvd, Tampa Ave, and Lindley Ave are typical places where that happens.

Along the Ventura Blvd medical and commercial corridor, the situation is different. Staff and visitors at offices and near Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center often park in lots and structures for long shifts, and a failing ignition can strand someone who has no time to wait for a tow. Because we come to the vehicle, we can work in a parking lot or garage as long as access allows.

South of the Boulevard, in the hills toward Mulholland Dr and in ZIP code 91357 near the El Caballero area, vehicles are often newer and more complex, with transponder keys and tight security systems. Narrow, winding streets and gated driveways can make towing awkward, so repairing the ignition on site is a practical option. Whether you are near the El Caballero Country Club, the Tarzana Recreation Center, or just off US-101, call (323) 997-8867 any hour.

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 Tarzana locksmith services

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

Ignition Repair in Tarzana — FAQs

Why won't my key turn in the ignition?
Common causes include a worn key, a worn or dirty cylinder, or a steering wheel locked against the column. Try gently turning the wheel while turning the key. If it still sticks, call (323) 997-8867 and we can help work out the cause.
Can you repair an ignition at my car in Tarzana?
Yes. We are fully mobile and come to your vehicle, whether it's in a driveway, an office lot on Ventura Blvd, or a hillside street. Many ignition repairs can be done on site without towing.
Do I need a new ignition cylinder or just a new key?
Not always. A worn or bent key can mimic a failing cylinder. We check the key first and then the cylinder, so you only replace what is actually broken.
Can you make a new key if the ignition damaged mine?
In many cases yes. We can cut keys and, for vehicles that use transponder chips, program them to the car where the vehicle allows. Call (323) 997-8867 with your vehicle details.
What if my key broke off in the ignition?
Don't keep forcing it. A broken piece can usually be extracted by a locksmith, and then we can assess whether the cylinder is damaged and needs repair or replacement.
Do you work at night and on weekends?
Yes, we are available 24/7. We don't make timing promises, but you can call (323) 997-8867 at any hour and speak with us about your situation.
How much does ignition repair cost?
It depends on the vehicle, whether the cylinder can be repaired or must be replaced, how many keys need cutting or programming, and the location and time of the call. We explain these factors when you describe the problem.
Will you ask for proof that the car is mine?
Yes. We ask for registration and identification before working on an ignition. It is a standard safeguard that protects vehicle owners.
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