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Crenshaw Lock

Ignition Repair in Van Nuys · 24/7 mobile

Ignition Repair in Van Nuys, California

Crenshaw Lock Company provides 24/7 mobile ignition repair in Van Nuys, California. We come to your car to repair or replace worn ignition cylinders and fix keys that won't turn, whether you're at home, work, or the airport area. Call (323) 997-8867 any time, day or night.

  • Mobile to your Van Nuys 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 sticks, grinds, or refuses to turn rarely fixes itself. Usually the cause is a worn cylinder, a key whose cuts have rounded off over years of use, or debris and wear inside the lock. In Van Nuys, where so many people depend on a car to cross the Valley every day, a failing ignition becomes a real problem quickly, and it tends to pick the worst moment to give out.

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, so there is no shop to tow your car to. We work on the vehicle where it is parked: in a driveway off Sherman Way, a apartment garage along Van Nuys Boulevard, a lot near the airport, or on the street.

This page explains how ignition repair works, what affects the cost, and what to expect from us. We do not quote prices here because the right answer depends on your vehicle and the actual fault, and we would rather diagnose it properly than guess over the phone.

How it works in Van Nuys

  1. 1

    Call and describe the symptoms

    Call (323) 997-8867 and tell us what the ignition is doing: key won't go in, goes in but won't turn, turns but won't start, or sticks in the on position. Give us the make, model, and year. Those details help us decide what to bring. We are available 24/7.

  2. 2

    We come to your vehicle

    Because we are fully mobile, our technician drives to you with tools and parts. That could be a street in Sylvan Park, a parking structure near the Van Nuys Government Center, or a business lot near Van Nuys Airport. We confirm the vehicle is yours before starting work.

  3. 3

    Diagnose the real cause

    A key that won't turn is not always a bad cylinder. We check the key for wear, test whether the steering column lock is binding, look for debris, and see whether the problem is mechanical or related to the vehicle's anti-theft system. Sometimes a worn key or a stuck steering lock is the whole story.

  4. 4

    Repair, rekey, or replace the cylinder

    If the cylinder is salvageable, we may repair or rebuild it. If it is badly worn or damaged, we replace it and cut keys to match. Where it makes sense, we can match the new cylinder to your existing door key so you carry one key instead of two.

  5. 5

    Key cutting and transponder check

    Many newer vehicles use transponder keys that must communicate with the car. After the cylinder work, we make sure the key turns smoothly and, where applicable, that the car recognizes it and starts reliably.

  6. 6

    Test and hand-off

    We run the ignition through repeated test turns and starts before we leave. You get working keys, an explanation of what failed, and advice on spare keys so the next problem is less stressful.

Need ignition repair in Van Nuys?

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 integrated with security electronics.
  • Whether the cylinder can be repaired or has to be replaced outright.
  • Whether you need new keys cut, and whether those keys are plain metal or transponder keys that need programming.
  • The time of day and your location, since we work around the clock and travel to you.
  • Whether the steering column lock or other nearby parts are also damaged, for example from an attempted theft.
  • How many keys you want made, including a spare so you are not stranded again.

Why Van Nuys chooses us

  • Fully mobile service: we repair the ignition where your car is parked, so you avoid towing and a shop visit.
  • Operating since 1987, with owner David Shar leading the work rather than handing it off to an unknown crew.
  • We diagnose first. Sometimes a worn key or stuck steering lock is the cause, and replacing a cylinder you do not need helps nobody.
  • Experience with the mix of vehicles common in the Valley, including older cars, daily commuters, fleet vehicles, and work trucks.
  • We can often match the new ignition cylinder to your existing keys, which cuts down on keys to carry.
  • Available 24/7, so a stuck ignition at night or on a weekend is not left waiting for business hours.

Ignition Repair across Van Nuys

Van Nuys is a central Valley community with heavy daily car traffic. Residents move along Van Nuys Boulevard, Sepulveda Boulevard, Victory Boulevard, and Sherman Way, and commuters rely on the I-405 and US-101 close by. Cars here work hard, and ignition wear from years of stop-and-go driving and heavily loaded key rings is common. If your key has started to feel gritty or needs jiggling, that is often an early warning worth addressing before it fails completely.

We work across the neighborhoods of Van Nuys, from the Van Nuys Civic Center area near the courthouse and the Valley Municipal Building, to the older streets around Sylvan Park and the original townsite, to Kester Ridge. In ZIP codes like 91401, 91405, 91406, and 91411, we see everything from residents whose cars are parked in bungalow driveways to tenants in the dense apartment corridors along Sepulveda and Van Nuys Boulevard, where a car is often parked in a shared garage or on the street.

Van Nuys also has a strong auto and aviation-adjacent business presence, with dealerships along Van Nuys Boulevard and many businesses around Van Nuys Airport. Employees, fleet drivers, and visitors sometimes find themselves with a car that won't start or a key that won't turn far from home. Since we are mobile only and have no storefront, we meet you at the vehicle. Call (323) 997-8867 and we will come to you.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

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Other Van Nuys locksmith services

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

Ignition Repair in Van Nuys — FAQs

Why won't my key turn in the ignition?
Common causes include a worn key, a worn cylinder, or a steering column lock that is binding. Try turning the steering wheel gently while turning the key. If that does not help, call (323) 997-8867 and we can diagnose it.
Do you repair ignitions at my location in Van Nuys?
Yes. We are fully mobile and come to your vehicle, whether at home, at work, in an apartment garage, or in a lot near Van Nuys Airport. We do not have a storefront to visit.
Do I need a new ignition cylinder, or can it be repaired?
It depends on the wear and damage. Some cylinders can be repaired or rebuilt, while badly worn or broken ones should be replaced. We check the cause before recommending either option.
Can you make keys at the same time?
Yes. After repairing or replacing the cylinder, we can cut keys, and we can program transponder keys for vehicles that need them. A spare is worth having.
What if my car turns over but won't start?
That may not be an ignition cylinder problem at all. It could involve the anti-theft system, the key chip, or other electrical parts. Call (323) 997-8867 and describe what happens, and we will tell you whether we can help.
Is ignition repair available at night or on weekends?
Yes. Crenshaw Lock Company is available 24/7, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Can you fix an ignition damaged by a theft attempt?
Often, yes. Attempted theft can damage the cylinder, steering column lock, or surrounding parts. We assess the damage and repair or replace what is needed so the car starts and locks securely again.
How much does ignition repair cost?
Cost depends on your vehicle, whether the cylinder can be repaired or replaced, the keys needed, and your location and timing. Call (323) 997-8867 with your vehicle details and we will talk through the options.
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