Car Key Repair Near Me - How to Deal With a Broken Car Key
It can be a stressful experience to break a key in the ignition of your car or door lock. Luckily, there are several ways to have this issue solved quickly and easily.
The first step is to take the remote car key fob apart and carefully inspect it for loose buttons. If they are, applying them back could fix the issue.
Lost Keys
There's nothing more annoying than when your car keys breaks inside the lock and there's no way to get it out. This can be incredibly stressful and a major inconvenience especially if you're late to work or have to find someone else to drive you. Luckily, there are a few ways to fix the problem.
One alternative is to make use of pliers to grab the damaged piece of the key. It's usually simple to accomplish, but you'll need to be careful not to twist the key itself, which could cause it to break even more. A locksmith can help you remove the broken key from the ignition with specific tools. This is a quicker and less difficult than attempting to do it on your own. It will also ensure that your new key functions properly.
If your key is broken, you'll have to get it replaced by a locksmith or a dealership. The dealership will be more expensive, but they'll ensure that the replacement is a good one for your particular vehicle. Locksmiths can usually make you an original key on the spot which will save you time and money.
When a key splits in half, it may be a little more tricky to repair. Depending on the location where the pieces are situated within the lock, you may be able to fix them. Some users have used a bobby-pin or thin wire to remove the broken piece from the lock. You can replace a broken car key by using a spare if you have one. If you don't have a spare, the dealer will be able to provide you with a replacement key, but it could require programming, which can be costly.
Super glue is the ideal method to repair broken keys to your car. Be careful not to damage the ignition or lock with the glue. You could also employ a key extraction tool, but it is dangerous and is only recommended for professionals.
Lockouts
The majority of drivers and car owners have been locked out at some point. This can be a frustrating and stressful situation. To avoid a lockout, you should make sure that you always have your keys on you. It is also a good idea to keep a spare key somewhere secure. Contact a professional locksmith in the event that you're locked out.
It's risky to try to unlock a locked vehicle. This could cause more problems. You could cause damage to your car or even suffer injuries if you choose the wrong tools. Using items such as coat hangers, bobby pins or slim jims to try to unlock your car may cause serious damage to your windows and doors and can trigger the alarm.
A professional locksmith has the tools and experience to take out broken keys, bent keys, or snapped keys. They'll be able to remove the broken pieces and then create a new key which will save you the expense of replacing your entire lock. If necessary, they can also replace the batteries in the car key fob.
A locksmith can fix your vehicle in some instances if the key inside is damaged. If the key is broken in half within the lock or ignition, an experienced locksmith will be able take the two pieces of the original key and join them together, or create an alternative key from the key code. This method is only to be used in an emergency situation and not when there are children or pets inside the vehicle.
If you are unable to get into your car due to an unlocked lock, you must try every door and hatch to see if the key works with any of them. If you are unable to access your car, it could be as simple as trying to insert the key in the right manner or the lock mechanism jammed up by dirt or rust. You could also spray the lock with WD-40.
Key Fobs
No matter how well you take care of your car key fob, the chances that it will cease to function at one point. Fortunately, car key fob repair near me isn't an issue and is usually a simple fix. If you are able to determine what is wrong, you can save yourself the time and money of having to replace your key fob.
Typically, the first thing to do when your key fob isn't working is to replace the battery. You can purchase a brand new battery at a big box retailer or at a hardware store. It only takes a minute to take out the old battery and install the new one. For best results, make sure to purchase the same battery to your current one. Test the fob again to ensure it is working.
If the new battery doesn't solve the problem, you can open the fob and take a closer look. There are lots of tiny electronic components inside, and it's easy to take out of alignment or damaged. Check for cracks in the circuit board, teeny electronic components that are not fully connected to the circuit board buttons that are broken or loose and bent or oxidized contacts on batteries.
You can fix these issues by yourself, but be very careful. If you're not sure of how to fix the issue it is recommended to leave it to the experts.
The car key fobs are extremely fragile and even the slightest bump or knock could cause them to function. You will likely have to deal this problem at some point. Always keep an extra key in your vehicle.
The key fob could stop working if it is not connected to the onboard diagnostics port on your vehicle. This is a problem that will likely need to be fixed by a professional, however it is typically fixable without replacing the key fob. Locksmiths can separate the key from the OBD system by using their tools and software.
Broken Keys
A broken key can be an extremely difficult situation. But, don't panic or resort to drastic measures. Take a deep breathe and remain at peace. This will stop you from making rash decisions that may worsen the situation.
There are a variety of ways to fix a damaged key but the most effective is to use a specific tool. You can find these tools at most hardware stores or locksmiths. They are inexpensive and are designed to grip the broken part of the key so that it can be removed. These tools are also made to ensure that they do not harm the lock the cylinder.
If you don't have an extraction tool for keys then you can take the broken piece and pull it out using tweezers. You could also make use of a drill, however this is risky and could cause more harm than good. If none of these methods work, attempt to remove the broken key by turning it inside the cylinder with needle-nose pliers. This method should only be attempted if the key has not been locked. If you turn the key that is locked, it can jam pins in the cylinder. This can prevent you from unlocking the door.
Another method to fix a broken key is to use super glue to fix the end that split off. However, this technique is not recommended because it could glue the key or cylinder in place and hinder you from driving again. This method should only be used if the key is impossible to remove or other methods aren't working.
You can contact a locksmith when you can't get your broken key to work or if you don't have the money to purchase another one. They can repair the key so you can drive. They can even program chips in newer cars if you need to do that.