Ignition Switch Locksmith S Winebiddle St, Pittsburgh, Pa

A driver on S Winebiddle Street found themselves stuck in a frustrating spot. They had just finished running errands, went to turn off the car, and the key wouldn’t budge. No lights, no clicks, no crank. The ignition felt frozen in place. No matter how they turned it, the car stayed completely unresponsive. After a few failed attempts, they gave us a call at Sherlock’s Locksmith, looking for a skilled ignition switch locksmith in Pittsburgh who could come to their exact location and fix the issue without towing the car.

When the Key Won’t Turn, and the Car Won’t Start

We have seen this type of problem often around Pittsburgh, especially in older vehicles or those with high mileage. The good news? It is easy to fix and doable on-site with the right tools and experience.

Once we arrived, we removed the lower dashboard panels and loosened the steering column cover to gain full access to the ignition switch. We saw signs of internal wear right away. Nothing was broken outside, but the key tumblers inside were out of alignment. That explained why the key wouldn’t turn.

We also ran a check on the battery and fuses just to be sure it was not an electrical issue. Once we ruled that out, we knew it was a mechanical problem inside the ignition itself.

Since the key wouldn’t turn at all, we couldn’t remove the cylinder the usual way. Instead, we used a special tool to release the locking tab from behind, making sure not to damage the steering column. Once the ignition was free, we pulled it out and showed the client where the wear had caused the failure.

It’s always helpful to show what went wrong, so the client knows they are getting a real solution, not just a guess.

We replaced the ignition switch with a brand-new cylinder. To keep things simple for the client, we rekeyed the new cylinder to match their original key. That way, they didn’t have to carry two keys or replace the door locks.

We put everything back together neatly, from the wiring to the column cover. The repair looked seamless, with no signs of tampering or damage.

With everything installed, we tested the ignition several times. The key turned without resistance, the dashboard lights came on, and the engine started as it should. No more sticking, no false starts—just a smooth ignition every time.

Our auto locksmith finished the job cleanly, with no scratches, no damage, and no mess left behind. The client had their car back in working condition in the same driveway where it broke down.

The client told us they were relieved they didn’t have to tow the car or wait days for a dealership fix. They appreciated that we explained each step and finished the job the same day. Best of all, they could now turn the key with confidence, knowing the problem was fixed for good.

Is your key stuck in the ignition, or does the cylinder refuse to turn? Let Sherlock’s Locksmith handle it with fast, on-site service anywhere in Pittsburgh, PA. We’re open 24 hours, licensed, and hold an A+ rating with the BBB. Whether you’re at home or work, we come prepared to fix it right the first time.

Don’t waste time trying to fix it yourself. Call (412) 960-1250 to get a quote and get back behind the wheel.