Tips For a Broken Car Key Repair
It can be a frustrating experience when a broken key gets into the ignition. Avoid forcefully turning it to prevent further damage to the lock and ignition cylinder.
Instead, seek help from a professional immediately. A locksmith can take out the broken piece without causing further damage. In the meantime, find another method to travel like taking the bus or requesting a ride from an acquaintance.
Damage Assessment
A car key that is damaged could be a real hassle. It can prevent you from getting to where require to go, cause you to lose time and money, or even lead to costly repairs to your vehicle. It's important to remember a few tips for repairing keys that have become damaged to be able to fix the problem quickly.
Never try to remove a key that has broken by yourself. This could cause more damage and damage your lock the ignition cylinder. Modern locksmiths have the equipment to remove a damaged car key without causing additional damage.
It could be due to wear, damage or just a mishandling error, there are many reasons for your car key to break. The most common reason is that the key is damaged and doesn't fit into the ignition any longer. This could be due to regular use or it could happen after being exposed to extreme weather conditions.
A blockage in the keyway or ignition cylinder could also cause your car key to break. This could be due to dirt or debris that has built up over time and obstructed the grooves of your key. If you have a modern key with electronic functions, the issue can also be caused by problems with the battery or how your car connects to the keys.
Contact a locksmith immediately when your car key is broken in the ignition or door lock. It's best to avoid damaging the car by trying to force out the key.
If you do decide to attempt to repair your car key yourself using super glue, do not try it. It's likely to break after a few use and won't work as well as a proper tool from an experienced locksmith. Use a thick wire or nail to close the loop that is broken. If you are able, drill holes in both ends of the wire or nails to the key's width, and then apply glue. Dry it before using the key again.
Remove the broken part
You can take a damaged car key from the door lock. However, you must be careful not to risk damaging the lock further. A good set of needle-nose pliers and penetrating oil can assist you to in this. A jigsaw blade with downward-facing teeth could be useful for latching onto the broken bit inside the lock and pulling it out at a straight angle. Avoid twisting the bit since this may break it off completely or cause further damage to the ignition cylinder.
If the key is damaged inside the lock you will have to call an locksmith to get a replacement or visit your dealer. If the damaged piece is large enough to be grabbed with pliers, it may be possible. Avoid turning the key using pliers or screwdrivers, since you could cause the key to break or cause damage to the lock or ignition.
For a more permanent solution you can try using super glue to seal the damaged plastic loop on your key. Use a gel glue not a liquid type. Allow it to dry before putting your key in the lock. This method is not recommended, as a mistake could result in misalignments that can damage the lock and ignition system.
Another alternative is to use a strong wire or nail to finish to serve as a temporary key loop replacement. Use a drill to make two holes in the broken plastic loop for each end of the nail or wire. Cut the wire or nail to the same length as your key, then apply small amounts of super glue on each hole. Slide the nail or wire into the holes to create a broken loop on your key.
Keep both pieces of the broken car key. This will allow an expert locksmith to make an exact copy. This reduces the chance of issues with the new key, and will save you time and money.
How do I obtain an additional key
Sometimes car keys break in a way that makes it impossible to start the vehicle. This can happen if you put too excessive pressure when turning the key, and it snaps in the ignition. It can also happen if you use your key fob for opening the door, and it gets stuck. You'll need a locksmith to assist you in this situation.
It can be a real trouble to have a damaged key in your ignition, as you can't use your car until the issue is fixed. This is because the key is used to switch the car on and off and also to unlock doors and enable other features. There are some steps you can follow to fix a broken key in your ignition before it becomes more serious.
First, you should try to remove the broken piece of your key using pliers. If car key repair service are lucky the car key could have broken close to the top of the lock, and be easy to remove from the lock. If it was broken at the bottom, you'll face more trouble removing it by yourself, and you may need to use specially designed tools. These tools are narrow and flat with hooks that are small on the end that are able to latch to the key's fragment and pull it away. You could also use a lubricant like liquid or powder, to loosen up the key and make it easier to remove.
Another option is to contact a mobile locksmith to come out and replace your broken key. This service is usually cheaper than going to the dealership, and it can save you a lot of time. They can also design keys that match the car's current key which is particularly important for newer cars with chip-based programmable technology.
In the end, you may try reattaching the two parts of your key with super glue. This is a risky choice however it may work. Just be careful not to get the key stuck in the ignition or lock.
The New Key is Programming
You may not be able to reprogram your key by yourself, based on the type. This is only possible through a locksmith or dealer, since it safeguards your car's security from unauthorized access. This is a necessity to prevent people from using other keys to start your car and be able to steal it. It can make the process more difficult particularly in the event that the fob must be replaced.
In a hurry, it's easy for you to use too much pressure when turning the key to unlock or lock your car. The key can be damaged or stuck in the lock if you apply too much force. The key may also get stuck in the ignition and prevent you from getting your car started. This is frustrating and can cause a disruption to your schedule. There are ways to address this problem before it gets out of hand.
You can extract the broken piece of a key from a lock by using simple tools that you have at home. Tweezers are good for grabbing small fragments and pliers can be useful to remove the key. You can also make use of a key extractor that is a specialty tool that is often available at auto parts stores. You can inject lubricant into the lock to assist in the process of extracting.
It is also essential to keep both pieces of the broken key. This helps the locksmith create a more precise copy that can make the replacement process faster. This can also help you to get back on the roads quicker. If you don't own any spare working keys, you can request the dealer to start your car using new keys and use it to program the new one.
You can also buy an additional key from a locksmith and insert it into the ignition to put the vehicle's computer system into programming mode. After a few seconds, turn the ignition key to "on" however, don't start the car. Then, switch to the new key and drive away. This process can take between a couple of minutes and some hours, so you'll need to have some way of getting to and from the location until the process is complete. This could mean taking public transportation or relying on friends to take you for the ride.