Quoted $130 to re-key ignition

[Neil Sears]

I got sick durning COVID so my Jeep was at my parents. Somehow my step dad thought I needed a new ignition so he had it replaced and now the keys don’t match.

Ran into this mobil lock smith here in Los Angeles and he quoted me $130 to match the ignition to the rest of my locks.

If I hadn’t read a post a few years ago I would not think much about the price but I do recall one user here had his locks re-keyed for $20 each.

Am I just being cheap or is that price too high? Remember it’s LA so prices can be higher then in other parts of the country.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Seems reasonable, especially for LA.

 

[CreepinDeth]

Its LA, and its a skilled trade
With that said, I would save the $130 and use the 2 keys

Waste of $$$. Both my classic GMs have
an entry key and an ignition key. Not a big deal

 

[L J]

If you have the time and the ability, you can buy a wafer kit (~$35) and DIY. It's not a complicated job.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

$130 to modify two door locks in LA don't sound too bad. I wouldn't be surprised if it was around $100 here in Ohio.

I'm more curious as to what @Zorba thinks about your thumb nail.

 

[SkylinesSuck]

I'm more curious as to what @Zorba thinks about your thumb nail.

Needz moar veil?

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

If you have the time and the ability, you can buy a wafer kit (~$35) and DIY. It's not a complicated job.

Oh yeah, I should have mentioned that @LJ ain't wrong.

Back in my teens I did the door locks on a couple different VWs and didn't even buy a wafer kit, if it even existed, I just used the wafers from other VW door locks I had laying around. For one, maybe two of those locks I just had to put the original wafers in a different order and that's what I'd be hoping would work on any vehicle before I bought the kit today.

 

[TheBoogieman]

I'm more curious as to what @Zorba thinks about your thumb nail.

Dirt doesn't count as glitter.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

$130 to modify two door locks in LA don't sound too bad. I wouldn't be surprised if it was around $100 here in Ohio.

I'm more curious as to what @Zorba thinks about your thumb nail.

If I read his post correctly he's looking to rekey the ignition to match the doors, not the other way around.

I've done this, with a wafer kit it's a 15 minute job. A business has to make money but no way would I pay somebody $130 for this, wherever they were.

I might pay that to rekey the doors because it's a lot more involved, but I bet the locksmith wants more than $130 to do that. Especially since you'd also need the tailgate. But I don't know why you'd do it that way either because then your key wouldn't match the VIN anymore.

 

[mrblaine]

I got sick durning COVID so my Jeep was at my parents. Somehow my step dad thought I needed a new ignition so he had it replaced and now the keys don’t match.

Ran into this mobil lock smith here in Los Angeles and he quoted me $130 to match the ignition to the rest of my locks.

If I hadn’t read a post a few years ago I would not think much about the price but I do recall one user here had his locks re-keyed for $20 each.

Am I just being cheap or is that price too high? Remember it’s LA so prices can be higher then in other parts of the country.

View attachment 446371

Is he coming to you or are you going to him?

 

[Grant Lasson]

Used this one this spring to replace the key cylinder. Very easy and worked well.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D8BKR5M/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

If I read his post correctly he's looking to rekey the ignition to match the doors, not the other way around.

You are right about that and it throws off my price guestimate. I didn't really think about the tailgate and the tough access to all three locks compared to the good old days of one phillips head screw to remove the whole VW door handle with the keylock inside it.

Now if he feels up to it and his step dad has saved the original lock MAYBE that would save the $30. Kinda depends on if there's enough correct wafers between the two locks or not.

 

[Zorba]

$130 to modify two door locks in LA don't sound too bad. I wouldn't be surprised if it was around $100 here in Ohio.

I'm more curious as to what @Zorba thinks about your thumb nail.

Dirt doesn't count as glitter.

Glitter is ALWAYS a good thing - but sometimes non-glitter can look pretty good too. With that said, "more is more"...

 

[Gollywomper]

Used this one this spring to replace the key cylinder. Very easy and worked well.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D8BKR5M/?tag=wranglerorg-20

This^^^^^.
Works great, easy to use. Install takes 5 mins.

 

[Neil Sears]

I'm more curious as to what @Zorba thinks about your thumb nail.

??

 

[Neil Sears]

Is he coming to you or are you going to him?

I saw him im my alley so I assume he will come to me.

 

[sab]

??

Your thumbnail:

Zorba:

 

[sab]

Regarding the cost, the price quoted doesn't seem unreasonable to me based on:

1. You're in California
2. You're in LA, in California
3. Inflation is causing everything, everywhere, to be expensive
4. The locksmith is mobile, and travel-time can't be free

That said, re-keying the ignition cylinder is not terribly difficult to do yourself. So, if money is tight, and you have the time and skills, You could do it yourself for considerably less cost. I've replaced my ignition cylinder because it was worn out, and re-keying was part of that work. I've also re-keyed the half-doors I just installed. The door re-keying is a bit tricky due to the chrome trim ring, but the ignition was pretty easy.

 

[SkylinesSuck]

Your thumbnail:

View attachment 446967

Zorba:

View attachment 446970

Ohhhh! I didn't get it until then. I thought you meant the pic in his profile, not his literal thumbnail

 

[txbemis69]

paid a locksmith $40 to do a toyota after i removed cylinder from car. this was pre biden inflation era.