Automotive Ignition Service

Here at NorthWest Locksmith Reno we offer a wide range of automotive locksmith services for both imports and domestic make and model vehicles. From unlocking your vehicle, originating new keys, to repairing and replacing ignition switches, we do it all! Our technicians are professional and will explain you exactly what is needed to be done before performing any service.

The most common automotive service we usually perform is for an ignition. We have found that many make and model vehicles in the market have common issues that can cause the ignition switch to malfunction. When it comes to Hondas and Acuras vehicles, we found that many people had issues with the key getting stuck inside the ignition switch. Although it does happen on other make and models, we found it to be more common on Hondas and Acuras. This type of issue can be caused by wafers that got worn out in time and also dirt that may have entered into the switch and caused the malfunction.

Whether if its dirt or normal wear and tear, once the wafers are out of alignment, a key cannot be inserted or will get stuck in the ignition switch. However, these types of issues will not turn out overnight as the user may feel some difficulties over a certain period of time operating the ignition switch with the key. Once the key will get stuck inside the switch, calling a professional locksmith will be the best option.

There is the option of taking your vehicle to the dealer for service. However, not only it will involve an expensive towing charge, in addition to the dealer high rates, you most likely will have to wait for a few days to have the vehicle serviced with a new ignition switch and a key made. Here at NorthWest Locksmith Reno we provide mobile automotive locksmith services which means our technicians will travel to your location with no extra charge and replace or repair the ignition switch on the spot!

Automotive Lock Pick

Automotive lockout services are the most common service a locksmith technician would do during his/her years in the field. The procedure for unlocking the vehicle really depends on the type of security a vehicle would have. Even models from the same manufacturer will have different ways a locksmith technician would need to use in order to unlock a particular model. Most locksmith technicians follow a certain guide for the best way to unlock a vehicle without damaging the lock or the vehicle. However, not all the time the method mentioned in the guide to unlock a vehicle would work.

I got a call a while back from a customer who locked himself out of his 98 Honda Accord. He said that normally he uses his remote to lock and unlock the vehicle, but recently the remote started to malfunction,so he had to start using his keys to lock the vehicle. I've seen it many times before when people are used to using their vehicle's remotes that when they have to use their keys, they often tend to forget them inside the vehicle while locking it.

Normally, when I approach to a lockout service for a vehicle I did not service before, I always check the guide for the best and easiest way to unlock it. With this particular vehicle, picking seem to be the best way to approach it. However, as I started picking the driver's side door lock, it seem to feel a little different and for some reason I had great difficulty picking and turning it. I then tried doing the same on the passenger side lock only to experience even more difficulty picking.

I called a Reno locksmith co-worker of mine who I knew had more experience picking than I did and asked him for some tips. After explaining him the circumstances, he said that it is a very common problem with models that are equipped with fobs to control the locking mechanism of the vehicle. Since the locks are not being used to often, the pins inside tend to freeze up which cause the lock to malfunction. He said that the easiest way to overcome the issue is by lubricating it as much as possible and use a blank key to work the lock at the same time. After about five minutes of working on the lock with WD-40 and a blank key, I made another attempt of picking the lock which luckily was successful.