Lost Ignition Key? Here’s What to Do
It’s important to look in every place you may have seen your ignition key. Retrace your footsteps and try to remember what you were doing when you last saw the keys.
Replacing an old-fashioned car key is easy and inexpensive. A locksmith can make a new car key without the original. A key that is more technologically advanced, such as a transponder, smart key or switchblade will require assistance at the roadside.
1. Check the Ignition
There are several things that can cause your car keys not to turn on the ignition. It could be due to worn. Over time, the pins inside of the cylinder will wear out and prevent it from turning. This is the most common reason that people are unable to start their cars.
A dead battery on the key fob could need to be replaced. If this is the case, it’s a simple fix and can be done at home. Buy a new key fob battery and test it to see if it is compatible with your car.
It could also be that your ignition switch is defective. The ignition switch is a component that provides power to certain components after inserting your car key into the ignition cylinder. It is important to note that the ignition switch does not start the car; it only allows the engine to start.
If you have an ignition key that is standard that is made of metal, it has a shaft that is inserted into a head made of plastic, or cylinder, inside the ignition of your vehicle. When you turn the key into your ignition, it presses a set of tumblers into a precise arrangement and closes the circuit for ignition, which will then provide power to the starter motor in order to start the engine.
Modern cars employ a different method to stop theft of cars, which uses an electronic chip that is embedded into the key head. They are also referred to as transponder key. When you insert a lock with a transponder into your ignition, it transmits an identification code to your car’s antenna. This unique code lets the engine’s computer start the starter motor.
If your car has transponder keys, there is no way to start it in the event that the battery for the key fob is dead. This is the reason it is always a good idea to keep an extra key in your car just in the event of a problem! Most auto manufacturers offer a failsafe to assist you in starting your vehicle if the key with a chip is lost.
2. Check the Locks
When you are in a rush or doing something else that demands your attention, it is more likely that you’ll lose your car keys. They can easily get misplaced when you’re not paying attention and result in stress when it happens. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to go from frustration and panic to find your keys again.
You may think that traditional keys are outdated however, they are accessible from your local auto dealer or automotive locksmith. They are the standard keys that secure the door and ignition and then start the car when turned. You can also make use of these keys to open your trunk or glove box. The traditional keys are the most affordable and easy to replace. The locksmith in your neighborhood can cut you a key while you are waiting.
In the 1990s, key fobs were popular. They are plastic casings that include buttons for locking and unlocking the car (and in some cases, to activate the alarm or open your trunk). Some of these devices come with physical keys that are tucked inside. Fobs can be reprogrammed by your local automotive locksmith however, only after the transponder chip has been replaced and an additional transmitter are added to the key.
We’ve all been guilty of leaving keys in the car when we’re in a rush or distracted. It’s not a big deal when you forgot keys in your seat when you took a subway, taxi, bus or ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft. If you do lose them at home, or at work, you could put your possessions and your family members in danger.
If you have an extra key, you can try that first. It could be in your bag or house. It is worth a quick look. Consider retracing the steps you took from the place you parked your vehicle to your workplace or home.
You can also run your VIN through the key database. If your locks have already been changed or rekeyed then running your VIN through the key database won’t result in a key that will work. Guardian Safe & Lock recommends that new automotive locks be re-keyed to match the original key cut as often as is feasible.
3. Check the Door Locks
If you’re having trouble getting your car started, it could be a problem with the door locks. They could be open or locked with the key inside. If you lose your car keys, you should have an additional key that came with the vehicle. Keys are often stored in the key fob, or as a separate backup you can use to unlock your vehicle. You can also use a tool such as a Slim Jim in order to gain access to your vehicle without damaging the ignition switch or door locks.
If the key fob is functioning, but it won’t turn the ignition, it could be because the battery has failed. If this is the situation, you’ll need to replace the batteries inside the key fob and reprogramme it if required.
Over time, the edges of car keys may wear away and break off in the mobile ignition lock repair services lock or cylinder. The wafers that make up the key may not be properly engaged making it difficult to turn the ignition.
Another issue that is common to car keys is that it may turn on and off when it’s in the ignition. The internal components of the ignition switch are deteriorating, leading to intermittent issues.
When people try to start their vehicle, they usually take the wrong key from their key table or ring. This can cause problems because some keys look very similar and you might be putting the wrong key into the ignition cylinder.
You can fix ignition switch this issue at home using a cotton swab that has been dipped in ruby alcohol. This will remove any foreign substance from the surface of the key that could hinder it from turning the ignition or unlocking the doors.
If you still have trouble, write down your VIN number (vehicle ID number) before you call a locksmith. This will increase your chances of finding someone who can replace your car key. The VIN is typically found on your insurance card however, it’s also found in a few other places on the vehicle itself, such as on a panel just above the driver’s seat and on the back of the engine block, in the trunk, or the door jamb, and on the frame between the carburetor washer and the windshield.
4. Call a locksmith
Being locked out of your car can be a scary situation, especially in the dark of night. If you don’t know the location of your keys, or if your keys are lost or stolen the best thing to do is call an locksmith to help you unlock your door.
A locksmith is a skilled contractor who is skilled in all aspects of locks and entry access. They are trained to install, uninstall and repair doors as well as locks and ignition cylinders.
Many people in this kind of situation try to save money by calling their dealership to get new keys however this is generally a bad idea. The majority of dealerships will charge more than other shops or parts stores, and it may take some time to receive your keys.
You can also contact a locksmith to decode your lock in the event of an emergency. They will then design new keys for you. The locksmith will probably need to use the spare key to decode the lock, so they can create a new key for your car. The locksmith will erase the old key off the car system, which means it will not be able to start the car until a new key is programmed to work with it.
The locksmith must access your vehicle to reset the computer in the car to accept the new key. This is known as “all key lost” or “key fob replacement”.
Transponder keys are found in most cars nowadays. They use a small plastic key that contains a computer chip to communicate with an immobilizer. The chip inside the key can be damaged by heat, water battery issues, or other factors that cause it stop working properly. In this instance, you’ll need to replace the key and then re-program the computer in your vehicle to accept it. A reputable locksmith on the move can do this for you, and also create a key that will work well in the future.
