Signs Your Car Key Lock Cylinder Requires Replacement

People often confuse it with a car’s ignition cylinder, both work with the same key. The car’s ignition cylinder turns over the engine, whereas the car door lock cylinder is a metal, tubular shape where you insert your car keys. Using the right key in the lock will actuate the latches, which keeps the car door locked.

Just like any other lock, your car key lock cylinder loses functionality with time and requires replacement. Thus it is necessary to know the signs to look for when it is time for a replacement. The most common causes are listed below:

1. Key Doesn’t Turn In The Car Door

Key not turning in the car door doesn’t mean that you need a replacement. It might be because your key has worn out. In that case, use a spare key to check whether the problem is with the key or the lock. If the spare key does not solve your issue, you might need to go for a replacement.

Another solution can be testing the key with other locks in your car, including the trunk lock and the ignition. If it fails to unlock either, then the key is likely the culprit.

In either case, you can call the best and trustworthy locksmith in Chicago to get your business done.

2. You Replaced Your Ignition Cylinder

Maybe you got your ignition cylinder replaced, but your technician forgot to rekey your door lock. It leaves you with two keys, one for the ignition and the other for the door. Unfortunately, for some car door locks, you don’t have the option to rekey them. So the only solution the situation leaves with you is to replace the car door lock cylinder with a specific key code preassigned.

3. You Lost Your Car Keys

Losing car keys will not necessarily lead to replacing your car door lock. You can have a car key replacement, but make sure that you lose your keys where the probability of someone else finding them is zero. When you are not sure where you lost them, it would be wiser to go for a door lock cylinder replacement since you don’t want to lose your car.

4. Decreased Functionality

Often, your door lock cylinder functions less than perfectly. It might include incomplete rotation of the key into the lock. Sometimes it might get stuck in the lock, and the need to wiggle it arises to get your door unlocked. Or there might be partial locking or unlocking. These are signs warning you to get your car door lock cylinder replaced. Or the lock might also jam in a way that the key snaps. You don’t want to lose access to your car when you need it the most, so it will be wise if you get your cylinder replaced as soon as the signs show.

5. You bought a previously owned vehicle

When you buy a second-hand vehicle, there is a possibility that someone else also has the keys to your car without your knowledge. For safety issues, you can get a cylinder replacement. To reduce the chances of getting burglarized, to up the level of security.

Contact a professional locksmith

Replacing the car door lock cylinder is a part of the car’s natural cycle. If you need a door lock cylinder replacement, do not hesitate to contact a professional. Chicago Locksmith will inspect and replace the locks professionally, quickly with reasonable price. We are just a call away, contact us, and our professional service will be on the way to assist you.