| $ Labor costs: $50 - $120 per hour. | $ $ Replacement parts: $10 - $700. | $ $ $ Professional replacement: $100 - $1,000+ (parts and labor) |
If you have ever started a car using a key, you used the ignition lock cylinder.
An ignition lock cylinder is the car’s component where the key slides into to turn the car on.
When the correct key is inserted in the ignition lock cylinder, it will allow the small actuators to rotate, letting you start the car; here’s a video by Donut Media that explains in detail how an ignition lock cylinder works.
Without the ignition lock cylinder, it’s impossible to start the car unless your vehicle uses another mechanism like a start button or a key fob.
Table of Contents
What Are The Symptoms Of Ignition Switch Problems?
It’s easy to know when an ignition lock cylinder has problems or is damaged.
This article made by Your Mechanic explains in detail which are the most common symptoms of a bad or failing ignition lock cylinder, which are:
- Issues powering on the vehicle
- Car not starting
- Problems inserting and removing the key
How Often Does Ignition Lock Cylinders Need Replacement?
Actually, ignition lock cylinders don’t usually need replacement, as they don’t fail that often; many people don’t experience issues with there are many cases where car owners have never replaced them.
But due to time, use, wear, driving habits, and the care you give to it, the ignition lock cylinder can start to fail, needing a replacement sooner or later.
What Affects The Costs Of Replacing An Ignition Lock Cylinder?
The factors that can affect the cost of replacing an ignition lock cylinder are labor costs, if it comes separate or as a unit with the ignition switch, the type, year, make, and model of the vehicle, the place you take your car to repair, and whether the replacement part is an aftermarket product or OEM.
Buying a replacing ignition lock cylinder part can cost $10 to $700, and labor costs usually go from $50 to $120 per hour, and it’s a job that can take up to 3 hours.
So, the total costs of replacing an ignition lock cylinder, including parts and labor, can be $100 to $1,000 or more.
Top Companies
Ignition lock cylinder can be replaced at a locksmith, car dealership, independent repair shop, and car repair chains like Pep Boys, Meineke, Midas, or Sears; online retailers like Amazon and AutoZone have ignition lock cylinders available (just parts).
Here’s a comparison between the prices and type of work auto repair shops and other retailers offer:
| Company | Type of Work | Price Range |
| Midas | Parts and labor | $210 – $440 |
| Mr. Tire | Parts and labor | $265 – $460 |
| NAPA | Parts and labor | $270 – $410 |
| Walmart | Parts | $90 – $310 |
| Amazon | Parts | $80 – $320 |
Things To consider
Before Buying
- First, check the car’s manual to know which type of ignition lock cylinder it has and if the ignition switch comes with it as a combined unit. Knowing this is important to buy the exact replacement part that matches your car.
When Buying
- Replacing the ignition lock cylinder is a straightforward job. Still, it is not recommended to attempt a DIY installation at home as some cars come with complex anti-theft devices, and without the proper tools, you could make your vehicle inoperable. Here’s a video by Ratchets And Wrenches that shows how an ignition lock cylinder is replaced.
After Buying
- Taking care of the ignition lock cylinder is one of the things people can do to prevent it from failing. Keeping it clean is one of the simplest measures to keep your ignition lock cylinder from going bad.
- How Much Does an Acetylene Tank Refill Cost? - May 20, 2022
- How Much Does an Acre of Land Cost? - May 20, 2022
- How Much Does an Acorn Stair Lift Cost? - May 20, 2022