We have a 2011 Honda Fit with about 230,000 miles on it. My daughter got in it last night and was unable to turn the key had a locksmith take a look at it and they couldn't really do much with it had it towed to my local Honda dealership and was quoted $1,069 this afternoon for a new ignition with two keys. It doesn't have a keyless remote. We only paid about $2,500 for the car and I'm wondering what alternatives there may be. I was thinking ignition replacement cost would be maybe $300 on the high end and was completely floored to hear that quote. Any help greatly appreciated thanks!

 

" Had it towed to my local Honda dealership "

I'm NOT against dealership service, but what I would do just as a matter of course here, is ask for a print out of exactly what the dealership would be replacing. Then I'd call around to other repair shops, maybe even other dealerships and get their estimates for the work.
I think dealership service is sometimes unfairly maligned, but on the other hand it can be one of the more expensive avenues.

At least getting some other estimates would give you an overall idea of the legitimacy of the cost.

 

Unfortunately I think that might be close to a reasonable offer for a new ignition switch. Cheapest I can find a new ignition switch for an auto Fit is 451 at Parts Geek. That's not counting the labor of it going in and reprogramming. I have the dealer service manual PDF and I'm struggling to even find the procedure to remove it. I'll PM you a link to mine so you can have a look for yourself.

Another alternative is looking in wrecker yards for a similar year Fit and remove it for yourselves.

 

The first thing I would try before attempting repairs to the car is to make sure the steering wheel is not locked hard to one side due to turning the wheel to it's extreme left or right. Put the key in the ignition and pull the wheel hard to the right or left while attempting to turn the key. This sometimes will release the key's ability to move to the start position. It's worth a try!

If that procedure doesn't work, I'd consider replacing the steering column with a wrecking yard complete column that comes with a key. After all, all of our cars are nothing more than a collection of used parts. I did a quick check and found a 2010 column on Ebay- item number:333162654695 with a current asking price of $167.50 shipped. It does not come with airbag or steering wheel, but the steering wheel is still mounted to it and is available for an extra charge. You can use your car's airbag with this complete column. If you don't want to go through the hassle of swapping your steering wheel and possibly disrupting your current turn signal clock spring etc by swapping it over to the replacement column, pay a little extra and buy the steering wheel also. Make sure you confirm a key comes with the column before buying! You will also have to program the "new column" key to your immobilizer/computer by following instructions that can be found on the internet- for replacing a key to your car.

In the end, the only other thing I can think of you needing to consider doing is either keep your current door key with you to open the driver's door or hatch manually if needed, or pull the panels off and the lock assemblies, and have a locksmith match those locks to the "new" ignition lock key.

 

You can find a replacement key lockset with new keys for about $15 on Ebay. That will not be a key identical to the original key. You will then have two sets of keys, the original key for the doors and a new separate key for the ignition. That is the cheap fix for a worn ignition key mechanism. Best of luck. Clay

 

The problem he is describing is the ignition barrel doesn't turn with the key in. Unless he happens to get lucky by taking it apart and mending it somehow he needs a new ignition switch, which you can not find for $15 bucks. I've been comparing part reference between the Fit and other Honda's and the Fit has a ignition switch specific to the Fit, so a switch for a civic or CRV will not work. He also needs a switch specific to an automatic transmission. Honda sold two different ignition switches based on transmission with about a $100 difference

 

Had another dealer quote the same, I work too much to do this myself and needed the repair done soon as my daughter was taking it back to school. So $1,100 and it's back on the road. Thanks for the replies y'all. G

 

Bring it to a trusted mechanic.

You can remove the ignition barrel and replace this part only.

The whole lock is held by 2 security bolts to the column. You slot the bolts with a cutting disc on a rotary tool (Dremel) and remove them with a flat head screw driver. You can replace them with standard bolts later.

Once the lock is out of the car, you can bring it to a locksmith or replace the unit from a junk yard. You do not need to reprogram the key if you swap the electronic part from your old one on the new key.