Lock cylinder replacement · Ignition switch repair · Broken key extraction · Mobile and workshop service
Key won’t turn? Stuck in the ignition? Snapped off in the lock? Engine cranks but the cylinder feels rough? We are the Lower Mainland’s specialist mobile ignition repair service — Toyota, Honda, Ford, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and every other major make. Same-day, on-site, with the right tools and replacement parts in stock.
What is car ignition repair — and what’s the difference between the cylinder and the switch?
When people say “my ignition is broken”, they usually mean one of three different (but related) parts:
1. The ignition lock cylinder
The mechanical part you put your key into. It contains a series of pin tumblers (or wafer tumblers) that match the cuts of your key. Symptoms of a failing lock cylinder:
- Key turns but feels rough, gritty, or sticks at certain points
- Key won’t turn at all — even though it goes in
- Key gets stuck and won’t come out without jiggling
- Key snapped off in the lock
- A different key (or a screwdriver) will turn the cylinder
- Worn-out keys no longer turn cleanly
2. The ignition switch
The electrical part behind the cylinder that actually sends power to the starter, ignition coils, fuel pump and accessories. Symptoms of a failing ignition switch:
- Key turns through all positions but the engine cranks intermittently or not at all
- Dashboard lights flicker, accessories cut out when starting
- Engine starts then immediately dies
- Steering wheel buttons / radio cut out at random while driving
- “ACC” or “ON” position doesn’t power up dashboard
3. The transponder / immobilizer link
On every modern vehicle (≈2002+), the ignition is also tied to the immobilizer system — even if the cylinder turns and the switch works, the engine will not run unless the transponder chip in the key is recognized. Symptoms of an immobilizer-related ignition fault:
- Engine cranks for 1–2 seconds, then dies
- Immobilizer warning light stays on
- “Key not recognized” message on dashboard
- Vehicle starts with one key but not another
We diagnose all three layers — most generic shops only handle the mechanical part, then send you to a dealer when it turns out the electronics also need work. We do the whole job in one visit.
Symptoms that mean you need ignition repair
If any of these sound familiar, call us:
- Key won’t turn — stuck in the cylinder, no rotation
- Key turns but engine won’t start — most often a worn switch or immobilizer fault
- Key broke off in the ignition — common, fixable, do not try to extract with pliers
- Steering wheel locked, key won’t turn — usually a steering-column lock issue, not the cylinder itself
- Engine starts then dies after 1–2 seconds — classic immobilizer symptom
- Cylinder feels gritty / rough — wear, dirt, or worn key cuts
- Different keys will turn the cylinder — major security issue, immediate cylinder replacement needed
- Vehicle won’t shut off, key won’t come out of “ON” — switch or shifter-interlock fault
- Dashboard lights flicker when starting — switch failure
- All accessories die at random while driving — switch failure (dangerous, fix immediately)
- Locked the keys inside the car / lost the keys — see our car key locksmith service for these specific cases
We are an automotive locksmith and electronics specialist, so we work on virtually every make and model sold in Canada from approximately 1995 onward. Our six most-requested platforms: Toyota, Honda, Ford, BMW, Mercedes, Audi.
Other makes we service
Nissan, Infiniti, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Subaru, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Volvo, Land Rover, Porsche, Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, Ram, Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Buick, Tesla, Volkswagen — full ignition diagnosis, lock cylinder replacement, switch replacement, key extraction and immobilizer pairing.
Pricing — typical Vancouver / BC market ranges
Honest 2026 Lower Mainland pricing. Every job is quoted firm before work starts, but here are realistic ranges:
| Service | Typical range (CAD, parts + labour, before tax) | Dealer comparable |
| Diagnosis only | $80–$140 (credited to the repair if you proceed) | $150–$250 |
| Broken key extraction | $80–$160 | $200–$400 |
| New key cut + transponder programming after extraction | $180–$350 | $350–$600 |
| Ignition lock cylinder replacement & rekey | $220–$450 | $500–$900 |
| Ignition switch replacement (no coding required) | $180–$380 | $400–$700 |
| Ignition switch replacement (with coding — BMW / Mercedes / VAG) | $300–$600 | $700–$1,400 |
| BMW CAS module replacement & coding | $600–$1,200 | $1,800–$3,500 |
| Mercedes EIS / EZS replacement & personalization | $700–$1,400 | $2,000–$3,800 |
| Audi / VW ELV (steering column lock) replacement | $450–$800 | $1,500–$2,500 |
| All-keys-lost recovery + ignition rekey | $450–$1,000 | $1,200–$2,500 |
Why we are typically 40–60% less than the dealer: we don’t carry franchise overhead, we don’t replace whole assemblies when a component swap will solve the problem, and we don’t bill flat-rate hours that don’t match real labour. Same equipment, same outcome, independent pricing.
Book your ignition repair today
📍 Vancouver Key Rescue — 19705 Fraser Hwy, Langley, BC V3A 7E9 ✉️ info@vancouverkeyrescue.com 🕐 Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Whether your key snapped in a Civic ignition in Surrey, your BMW CAS module is dead in Vancouver, your Mercedes EIS won’t recognize the key in Burnaby, your Audi ELV failed in Langley, or your F-150 cylinder finally gave up after 200,000 km — we come to you, with the right tools, and get you driving the same day.
Related services:
- Car key locksmith services — keys, fobs, all-keys-lost
- Volkswagen electrical repair — VAG immobilizer, CP, ELV
- Audi electrical repair — BCM2, MMI, comfort modules
- Instrument cluster repair — when cluster faults block ignition
- Airbag crash data service — post-collision SRS reset (this is the page that handles “SRS” queries — separate from ignition repair)
- Frequently asked questions — full FAQ
- Completed case studies
