Ignition Repair in Torrance · 24/7 mobile
Ignition Repair in Torrance, California
Crenshaw Lock Company provides mobile ignition repair in Torrance, California, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We come to your car to repair or replace ignition cylinders and fix keys that won't turn. Call (323) 997-8867 to describe the problem and get help.
- Mobile to your Torrance location
- Available 24/7
- Price quoted before we start

A key that won't turn in the ignition rarely picks a convenient time. In Torrance it tends to happen in the Del Amo Fashion Center parking structure, on a Hawthorne Blvd shoulder, or in your own driveway in Southwood before a morning commute on the 405. The cause is usually a worn cylinder, a damaged key, or a steering-column lock that has bound up. Each of these has a different fix, and we start by working out which one you have.
Crenshaw Lock Company is fully mobile. We have no storefront, so there is nothing to tow your car to. We bring our tools and work where the vehicle is parked, whether that is a curb in Old Torrance, a lot near Torrance Blvd, or a garage in West Torrance. David Shar has run the business since 1987, and ignition work is part of the automotive side of what we do.
Ignition repair is not always a replacement. Sometimes a worn key is the real culprit, and cutting a fresh one solves it. Sometimes the cylinder needs to be serviced or swapped. Sometimes the problem lies in the electronics around the switch or the key's transponder, and we will tell you plainly if that is the case so you do not pay for the wrong repair.
How it works in Torrance
- 1
Call and describe the symptoms
Call (323) 997-8867 any time. Tell us the make, model and year, where the car is, and what happens when you try the key. Does it refuse to go in, go in but not turn, turn but not start, or stick in place? Those details tell us what to bring.
- 2
Confirm ownership
Before we work on an ignition we ask for proof that the vehicle is yours, such as registration and a matching ID. This protects you and is a normal part of responsible automotive locksmith work.
- 3
Diagnose on site
We check the key for wear or bending, test the cylinder, and look at whether the steering lock is binding. We also consider whether the trouble is mechanical or related to the key's chip or the car's electronics.
- 4
Repair, rekey or replace
If the cylinder can be saved, we service it. If it is worn or damaged, we replace it and fit it so it works with your key. Where a new key is needed, we can cut one, and program it where the vehicle requires that.
- 5
Test thoroughly
We try the key repeatedly in every position, confirm the car starts, and check that the steering column locks and releases as it should before we consider the job done.
- 6
Advice to prevent a repeat
We tell you what caused the failure. Heavy key rings, a badly worn key, or a debris-clogged cylinder are common causes, and small changes can extend the life of the repair.
Need ignition repair in Torrance?
24/7 Mobile Locksmith across Greater Los Angeles & Ventura County. We answer 24/7.
What affects the price
- The type of repair: servicing a cylinder, cutting a new key, or replacing the cylinder entirely are different amounts of work.
- Vehicle make, model and year, since some ignitions are simple mechanical units and others are tied to anti-theft systems.
- Whether the key has a transponder chip or smart-key components that need programming.
- Whether you have a working key to copy or all keys have been lost.
- The condition of the surrounding parts, such as the steering lock or ignition switch, if they have also been damaged.
- Time of day and location, since we provide service around the clock and travel to you.
Why Torrance chooses us
- We are fully mobile and do the work where your car sits, so you never have to arrange a tow to a shop.
- We have been in business since 1987, which means decades of hands-on experience with locks and keys.
- We diagnose before replacing. If a worn key is the real problem, we say so rather than selling a cylinder you don't need.
- We are available 24/7, including nights, weekends and holidays.
- The owner, David Shar, leads the business, so there is clear accountability for the work.
- We explain what we find and what the options are before starting.
Ignition Repair across Torrance
Torrance is a car-dependent city, and ignition problems show up in every part of it. In Southwood and West Torrance, the 1950s and 60s tract homes often have cars parked on driveways and curbs for years, and older vehicles with worn keys are common. In Walteria and Hollywood Riviera, hillside streets and tight parking mean it helps to have a technician who comes to you and can work in awkward spots.
We serve all of Torrance, including ZIP codes 90501, 90502, 90503, 90504 and 90505. That covers the busy retail area around Del Amo Fashion Center, the commuter routes along Hawthorne Blvd, Crenshaw Blvd, Sepulveda Blvd and Pacific Coast Hwy, and the approaches to the 405 and the 110. If your car stops cooperating after a beach day at Torrance Beach or a walk at Madrona Marsh Preserve, we can meet you in the lot.
Old Torrance, with its El Prado historic district, has plenty of street parking and a mix of older vehicles. Wherever you are, call (323) 997-8867 and we will come to the car.
- Old Torrance
- Walteria
- Hollywood Riviera (South Torrance)
- Southwood
- West Torrance
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
24/7 Mobile Locksmith across Greater Los Angeles & Ventura County. We answer 24/7.
Other Torrance 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 Torrance services, or our citywide ignition repair page.
Ignition Repair in Torrance — FAQs
Why won't my car key turn in the ignition?
Can you repair the ignition at my location in Torrance?
Do I need a new ignition cylinder or just a new key?
Do you work on keys with chips in them?
What if my key is stuck in the ignition?
Are you available at night or on weekends?
How is the price determined?
Do I need to prove the car is mine?
Reviewed by David Shar — Owner & Lead Technician
Crenshaw Lock Company has served Greater Los Angeles & Ventura County since 1987.
Last updated 2026-10-12.