Five Key Repair Lessons Learned From Professionals
How to Do a Broken Car Key Repair
You're heading to work in a hurry, and jam your car keys into the ignition. Then you try to turn it around, and it breaks in the lock!
Luckily, there are several ways you can try to resolve the issue before calling a locksmith. Here are a few easy fixes:: 1. Super Glue.
1. Contact a locksmith
A broken key in the lock is one of the most unpleasant things a vehicle owner could face. This can be particularly frustrating when the driver is in a hurry to get somewhere, or pick up a kid. In this scenario it is imperative to act fast to try to remove the stuck key.
Calling an experienced locksmith is the best option, as they will have the right tools and know how to take out the keys broken without damaging the lock. A lot of people look around the vehicle for something small and rigid such as a paperclip or toothpick, but these isn't likely to work as it's too heavy to be able to get into the lock.
The best solution is to use a pair tweezers. They are lightweight and easily fit into the lock. They should also be sturdy enough to hold the damaged part of the key and pull it out. If you don't have tweezers then it may be worth searching for keys extractors which are typically sold in auto parts stores. They are thin, flat and have hooks that are small. They can be inserted in the keyhole and take the broken portion of the key.
A magnetic key hook can be used to adhere to the metal inside the lock, and then remove it. This is not always the best option as it could be caught under the lock and cause further damage. In this case it is advised to call locksmith.
Some people try to glue the two pieces of their car key that have snapped together using superglue, thinking that it will help them remove it from the lock. This can be dangerous as the metal pieces could get caught and break later. It is important to not turn the key as it could cause further damage to your lock or the ignition cylinder. Get a locksmith professional to repair the damaged key on the spot.
2. Drill a Hole
Sometimes, a key gets damaged inside the lock, and even if you have a spare, you might not be in a position to gain access to your vehicle. In these instances, drilling out the lock is the best choice.
The first step is to make sure that the key hole is designed to accept a standard tumbler car key. If it's not there, you won't be able to drill the pins out and damage the door or internal lock mechanism.
It is important to note that you'll be drilling through an outer layer of plastic as well as an inner metal layer. You can drill through these layers with a small drill bit, but you should not go any deeper. If you drill too deep it could damage the internal wiring harness or cause the drill bit to become stuck within the hole.
mobile car key repair is also recommended to wear a mask and protective gear when working with drills. This will keep dust and dirt from getting into your lungs.
It's also a good idea in the event that the key fragment is broken and is still sticking out of the lock, to have a pair pliers and tweezers at hand. If there is enough of the key sticking out to grip with tweezers or pliers, this could be sufficient to get it out of the lock. If not, however, you will require an instrument like this one to insert the tool inside the lock, and then turn it towards the key to grasp it and pull it out of the hole.
3. Drill a nail
If you break your car key in half, it can cause you to be trapped. There are a number of options to solve the issue without having to hire locksmith. The first method is to make use of a screw or nail. These are available at your home or at a hardware store. It is recommended to pick nails that are as thin and as long as possible. This way, you can place it into the hole and then use epoxy to connect the two pieces. It is also important to ensure that the back of the nail is level. This will allow it to fit into the slot cut in the key. This will prevent it from moving and potentially breaking again in the future.
4. Super Glue
Many car owners resort to DIY techniques like using super glue try and fix a broken car key, but this is a dangerous option to make. You could end up damaging the lock and be forced to pay more money to get a new one.
You need to check the keys that have been damaged first to ensure they're the same size. This step is essential to ensure that all glued pieces are aligned correctly and that the key will fit inside the lock once they've been bonded. Then, using a piece fine-grit paper or a metal filing, smooth out the edges of the damaged pieces. This will help make the glue bond stronger and decrease the chance of a loose key in the future.
After polishing the edges, apply a small amount (about an amount of pea-sized) of super glue on one end. Use only a small amount of super glue as excessive amounts can make the key too heavy. It will then be difficult to fit into the lock. Then, you can carefully place the two broken pieces of the key and press them together. After some time the glue will begin to set and bind the key fragments together.
Another common household item that can be used to remove a damaged car key is a paperclip or bobby pin that can be made into a pick-like tool and inserted in the lock. This technique is particularly helpful when the damage is located inside or near the keyway or ignition hole.
A broken car key with electronic components will require a new key from a dealer or a professional locksmith. This is because the key will need to be programmed with a new code and the chip must be replaced. If only the metal or shell of the key is damaged it will be necessary to have a new cut. It is not necessary to reprogramme or replace electronic components.