Tips For a Broken Car Key Repair
It can be a frustrating experience when a key is damaged in the ignition. To prevent further damage, don't force the key.
Seek professional help as soon as you can. A locksmith can remove the broken piece without causing further damage. In the meantime, you can find another way to get around by taking the bus or getting the ride from a friend.
Damage Assessment
A broken car key can be a real inconvenience. It can hinder you from getting where you must go, causing you to lose time and money and could even result in costly repairs to your vehicle. It's important to remember some of the best practices for fixing keys to your car that are broken to help you solve the issue fast.
First of all, do not try to remove a broken key by yourself. This can worsen the problem and damage your lock or the ignition cylinder. Modern locksmiths are equipped with the necessary tools to extract a damaged car key without causing more damage.
Whether it's due to wear, damage or just a mishandling error there are a myriad of reasons for your car key to break. The key could wear out and cannot fits into the ignition. This could be because of normal usage or after being exposed to harsh weather conditions.
A blockage in the ignition cylinder or keyway can cause your car key to break. This could be due to dirt or debris that has built up over time, and it could cause problems with the grooves of your key. If you own an electronic key with modern functions, the issue can be caused by issues with the battery or how your car connects the keys.
If the car key is damaged in the door lock or ignition it is best to call a professional locksmith immediately. It's best to avoid damaging the car by trying to force the key out.
If you decide to try to repair your car key on your own do not use super glue. This is likely to break apart after a few uses and will not be as effective as a proper tool from a locksmith. Use a thick wire or nail to seal the loop that has broken. If possible you can drill holes at both ends of the wire or nail to the key's width, and then apply glue. Allow it to dry before using the key again.
Take out the broken part
It is possible to remove the damaged car key from a door lock, but it requires careful precision to prevent further damage. You can do this with a good set of needle nose pliers and penetrating oils. A jigsaw blade with downward-facing teeth could be useful in securing the broken piece inside the lock and pulling it out at an angle straight. Avoid twisting the piece because this can cause it to break completely or cause damage to the ignition cylinder.
If the key breaks inside the lock, you will have to call locksmiths for a replacement or visit your dealer. If there's enough of the broken piece sticking out, you may be able to grab it with pliers. Resist the temptation to turn the key using pliers or a screwdriver, because this could cause it to break even more or cause damage to the lock or ignition.
If you want to make a permanent fix you can try using super glue to repair the broken plastic loop on your key. Use a gel glue not a runny one. Allow it to dry before putting your key into the lock. This is not a good idea since a mistake can cause misalignments that could damage the lock and ignition system.
Another option is to use a strong wire or nail for finishing to serve as a temporary key loop replacement. For each end of the wire or nail, drill two holes in the broken loop on the key. Cut the wire or nail to the same length as your key, then apply tiny amounts of super glue to each hole. Then, insert the wire or nail through the holes and then close the broken plastic loop on the car key.
Keep the two pieces of your broken car key. This will make it easier for a professional locksmith to create an exact replica. This will reduce the risk of problems with the new key, thereby saving you time and money in the long run.
How do I obtain an additional key
Sometimes, car keys can break in such a way that it is impossible to start a vehicle. This happens when you put too much pressure when turning the key and it snaps in the ignition. key repair could be the case if you are using the key fob to open the door, and it gets stuck. You'll need a locksmith to help you if this happens.
A broken key in the ignition can be quite a pain because you can't drive your car until it is repaired. The key is used to turn the car on and of the ignition, as well as opening the doors and activating the other features. There are fortunately, a few steps you can take to fix the damaged key in the ignition before it develops into an even more serious issue.
Try to remove the broken section of your key by using pliers. If you're lucky your car key might have been damaged near the top of the lock, and be easy to pull out of the lock. If it broke at the bottom, you'll have more trouble removing it by yourself, and you may need to employ a pair of specialized tools. These tools are flat and narrow with hooks that are small on the end that are able to latch on the key's piece and pull it away. You may also use a lubricant like liquid or powder, to loosen up the key and make it easier to remove.
You can also call a mobile locksmith who will arrive and replace your damaged keys. This is typically less expensive than visiting the dealership, and it could save you lots of time. They can also make keys that match the key that you have already got, which is especially important for newer vehicles that use chip-based programmable technology.
You could also try to reattach the two pieces of your key with super glue. This is a risky option, but it might work. Just be careful not to cause the key to become stuck in the ignition or lock.
The New Key is Programming
You may not be able to change your key yourself, depending on the type. Only the dealer or a locksmith can do that, as it protects the security system of your car from unauthorized access. This is an essential step to stop people from using another key to start your vehicle and possibly stealing it. However, it does make the process more complex especially if you need to replace the fob.
In a hurry it's easy to use too excessive pressure when turning the key to unlock or lock your car. The key may break or snag inside the lock if you apply too excessive force. The key could also become stuck in the ignition and prevent you from starting your car. This is frustrating and can throw off your schedule. There are solutions to this problem before it gets out of hand.
In some cases, you can remove a broken key fragment from the lock using simple tools that you might already have at home. Tweezers work well for tiny fragments, and pliers are great for prying out the key. You can also make use of the key extractor, which is a special tool that is often available at auto parts stores. You may also spray lubricant in the lock to assist in the extraction process.
It's also important to keep both pieces of the damaged key. This allows the locksmith to create a more precise duplicate, which can accelerate the process of replacing it. It also allows you to get back on the road faster. If you don't have any spare keys that work, you can ask the dealership to start your car with the new key, and then use it to program your new one.
You can also purchase an additional key from the locksmith and then insert it into the ignition to put the computer system of the vehicle into programming mode. After a short time you can turn the ignition key to "on" but do not start the vehicle. After that, switch to your new key. The process could take anywhere from a few minutes to some hours, so you'll need to have a way to get to and from the location until the process is complete. This might mean taking public transportation or relying on friends to take you for an ride.