When you climb into your car and stick your car key into your ignition, you probably don’t think twice about doing it. It’s something that has become second nature for most car owners. But at some point in time, there is a good chance that you’re going to find yourself with a bad ignition lock cylinder on your hands. And it’s going to wake you up and make you take notice of the importance of having a working ignition lock cylinder. You’re going to need to arrange to have ignition lock cylinder replacement done right away to fix this issue. Learn more about what an ignition lock cylinder is, when you might need to replace it, and how much ignition lock cylinder replacement will cost below.
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What Is an Ignition Lock Cylinder?
There are a lot of people who make the mistake of confusing a car’s ignition lock cylinder with its ignition switch. But it’s worth noting that these are two very different parts. You should understand the difference between the two of them so that you know how each one works.
The ignition lock cylinder in your car is the part that you actually stick your car key into when you go to start your car. Once your car key is in your ignition lock cylinder, that’s when your ignition switch then comes into play. It’s your ignition lock cylinder that allows you to turn your ignition switch and start your car. The ignition lock cylinder is in place to prevent others from stealing your car if they’re ever able to get into it.
Obviously, a bad ignition lock cylinder is therefore going to be bad news. If your ignition lock cylinder isn’t able to do its job, it’s going to prevent you from being able to turn your ignition switch. It’s why you should keep your eyes peeled for signs of problems with your ignition lock cylinder and be prepared to do ignition lock cylinder replacement at a moment’s notice.
How Does an Ignition Lock Cylinder Work?
Although the ignition lock cylinder in your car is one of the most important parts in it when it comes to starting it up, it’s not all that complicated of a part. It’s pretty easy to understand how it works in the grand scheme of things. It’s also pretty easy to see why you’re going to need to have it working the way it’s supposed to at all times.
When you stick the right key into your car’s ignition, there are small actuators in it that will match up with the key and allow you to turn it. This will, in turn, allow your entire ignition switch to rotate. It’s a seamless process that will let you start up your car without any issues.
If, however, you’re in need of ignition lock cylinder replacement, this process isn’t going to play out smoothly. You’re going to find that your car key won’t slide into your ignition lock cylinder smoothly. You’re also going to find that it’ll be challenging to turn your car key and rotate your ignition switch. You’ll have no choice but to arrange to have ignition lock cylinder replacement done sooner than later.
How Long Should an Ignition Lock Cylinder Last?
The good news for those who might be worried about their ignition lock cylinders at this point is that it’s fairly uncommon for them to fail. Most people don’t ever have to do ignition lock cylinder replacement in their vehicles. They’re able to keep on turning their car keys in their ignitions without any issues.
But with that being said, there are some car owners that will experience bad ignition lock cylinders. Typically, these people will be the owners of cars that are on the older side. You’re going to need to be cognizant of the fact that your ignition lock cylinder might give out on you at any time once your car begins to get up there in age. You can reduce the chances of your ignition lock cylinder failing on you by making sure your car key is clean before sticking it into your ignition. But even then, you might still have to worry about doing ignition lock cylinder replacement at some time in the future.
What Are Some of the Signs of a Bad Ignition Lock Cylinder?
When you have a bad ignition lock cylinder on your hands, it should be pretty easy to tell. You’re not going to be able to successfully stick your car key into your ignition and turn it when you’re in need of ignition lock cylinder replacement. But that’s not the only sign that’ll suggest you might need to replace your ignition lock cylinder. There are also some other signs that you should look out for at all times with regards to your ignition lock cylinder.
Here are several signs that might show that you need to have ignition lock cylinder replacement done immediately:
- You’ll have to wiggle or shake your car key when it’s in your ignition to get it to turn
- You’ll notice that you can remove your car from your ignition regardless of which position it’s in
- You’ll find that your car will sometimes keep running even when you’ve taken your car key out of your ignition
If you find yourself facing any of these problems, it should be a cause for concern. You’re going to want to think about having ignition lock cylinder replacement done as soon as you can so that you’re able to start using your car’s ignition like normal again.
Can You Keep Driving With a Bad Ignition Lock Cylinder?
If you find yourself with a bad ignition lock cylinder on your hands, you might not have the option to continue to drive your car around. Your bad ignition lock cylinder might make it literally impossible for you to get your car up and running. You may have no choice but to arrange to have ignition lock cylinder replacement performed on your car.
In the event that you can get your car started, though, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you should do it if you suspect that you have a bad ignition lock cylinder. Your ignition lock cylinder could give out on you completely at any time and leave you stranded if you’re not careful. It might also put you into a position where you can’t get your key out of your ignition no matter how hard you try to do it, which could result in your car getting stolen if someone is able to gain access to it.
For these reasons, you don’t want to let a bad ignition lock cylinder linger for too long. You’re just going to be asking for trouble if you do. You’ll be better off scheduling ignition lock cylinder replacement and paying to have a new ignition lock cylinder put into place in your vehicle.
Who Should You Call On to Perform Ignition Lock Cylinder Replacement?
If you believe that your ignition lock cylinder has gone bad on you and you want to have it replaced, there are going to be a couple of good options that you’ll have as far as replacing it. First and foremost, you can call on your regular mechanic to work on your ignition lock cylinder. They’ll be able to set you up with the ignition lock cylinder replacement services that you need in a hurry. More often than not, they should be able to replace the ignition lock cylinder in your car in under an hour and send you on your way.
But there is also another option that you can consider. You can call on an automotive locksmith to work on your car and to replace your ignition lock cylinder for you. This is a really good option to have if your car is stuck somewhere and you can’t get it to your usual mechanic. It’s a way better option than paying to have your car towed to a shop so that a mechanic can fix your bad ignition lock cylinder.
But either way, you’re going to be able to have ignition lock cylinder replacement done so that you can start using your car again. Just make sure that the mechanic or locksmith that you hire to work on your car only uses premium parts when fixing it. It’ll prevent you from facing future ignition lock cylinder problems down the line.
Should You Ever Try to Do Ignition Lock Cylinder Replacement Yourself?
There are some car repair jobs that you might be able to tackle yourself in an effort to save some money. But unfortunately, doing ignition lock cylinder replacement is probably not going to be one of them. While replacing an ignition lock cylinder isn’t the hardest job in the world, it can be tricky getting an old ignition lock cylinder out and putting a new one in its place. You could end up doing damage to your ignition switch or installing your new ignition lock cylinder in the wrong way.
Rather than taking the DIY approach to ignition lock cylinder replacement, you should leave it up to the professionals to take care of it for you. They’ll be able to diagnose your bad ignition lock cylinder and fix it if they find that it needs to be replaced. It’ll be so much easier than trying to take it on yourself.
How Much Is Ignition Lock Cylinder Replacement Going to Cost?
Seeing as how the ignition lock cylinder in your car plays such a key role in getting your car to start, you might be under the impression that replacing it is going to cost you an arm and a leg. But in reality, it’s not usually all that expensive to do ignition lock cylinder replacement. That should make you feel way more comfortable about calling on a mechanic or locksmith for assistance with it.
On average, the ignition lock cylinder replacement cost usually falls somewhere between $200 and $250. That includes right around $130 for parts and anywhere from $80 to $110 for labor. There is a chance that ignition lock cylinder replacement might cost a little more than that if you have to call on a mechanic or locksmith for emergency services. But even still, it shouldn't be a repair job that’s going to break the bank.
Is the Ignition Lock Cylinder Replacement Cost Worth It?
If you plan on continuing to drive your car around, then it should almost go without saying that the ignition lock cylinder replacement cost is, in fact, worth it. It’s going to be the only thing that allows you to get your car starting again. Paying between $200 and $250 will be a small price to pay for this luxury.
The only time you might want to think twice about having ignition lock cylinder replacement done is when you’re considering giving up your car. You don’t want to have to fork over more than $200 to fix your car when you’re planning to get rid of it anyway. It’s not going to be worth it for you.
Can You Sell a Vehicle That’s in Need of Ignition Lock Cylinder Replacement?
Do you think that you’re ready to sell your car rather than fixing the bad ignition lock cylinder in it? You might be a little confused about whether or not you can sell it. It doesn’t seem like you should be able to sell a car that doesn’t start up due to a bad ignition lock cylinder.
But the reality is that you can sell a vehicle that is in need of ignition lock cylinder replacement, provided you’re able to find the right buyer. A company like Cash Cars Buyer has absolutely no problem stepping in and paying you top dollar for your car. We’ll give you cash for it and will even haul it away for you so that you don’t have to worry about how you’re going to get it to us.
Want to find out more about how our process works? Contact us now to get additional information on how much money we’ll give you for your car, even if it has a bad ignition lock cylinder in it.