The One Lost Ignition Key Trick Every Person Should Know
Lost Ignition Key? Here's What to Do
If you've lost your ignition key, it's vital to find out where you could have seen it. Follow your steps and try to recall what you were doing when you last saw the keys.
Replacing a car key that is old-fashioned is easy and inexpensive. Locksmiths can create an entirely new car key without the original. However, a more technologically advanced key such as a switchblade, transponder, or smart key will require roadside assistance to replace.
1. Check the Ignition
There are many reasons your car key doesn't turn in the ignition. The first reason is that it could be worn out. As time passes, the pins inside of the cylinder may wear out and prevent it from turning. This is the most common reason why people are unable to start their vehicles.
A dead battery inside the key fob may also need to be replaced. This is a simple fix that you can do at home. Purchase new batteries for the key fob and test it to see if it is compatible with your car.
In the end, it could be that your ignition switch is faulty. The ignition switch is an electrical component that supplies power to certain components when you insert your car key into the ignition cylinder. The ignition switch isn't the one that will start the car; it's only the one that allows the engine to start.
If you have an ordinary ignition key that is made of metal, it has a shaft that is inserted into a plastic head or cylinder, inside your vehicle's ignition. When you turn your ignition key, it forces tumblers in a specific arrangement and then closes the ignition circuit. This will then supply power to the starter motor so that the engine can begin.
Modern cars use an electronic chip that is embedded in the key head to guard against theft of cars. They are also referred to as transponder key. When you insert a lock with a transponder in your ignition, it sends an identification code to your car's antenna. This unique code will allow the engine's computer start the starter motor.
If your car has a transponder key, there is no way to start it if the key fob battery dies. This is why it is always recommended to keep a spare key with you, just in the event of a problem! However, most auto manufacturers build in a failsafe to ensure that your car is started if the key with the chip is lost.
2. Check the Locks
Car keys are typically lost when you're in a rush or performing something that requires your attention. If you're not careful they are easily lost, leading to a stressful situation. There are ways you can avoid panic and stress to finding your keys again.
It is possible to think that traditional keys are obsolete however, they are accessible from your local auto dealer or automotive locksmith. car key stuck in ignition are standard keys that lock your door and ignition, and start the engine when you turn it. They can also be used to unlock a trunk or glove box. Traditional keys are generally the cheapest to replace and your locksmith is likely to cut one while you sit.
Key fobs first came into use in the late '90s, and they are plastic casings that have buttons that allow you to lock and unlock your car (and in certain cases, set off the alarm or open the trunk). Some of these devices include physical keys. Fobs can be reprogrammed by your local locksmith however, only after a new transponder chip and a transmitter have been added to the key.
We've all been guilty of forgetting our keys while stressed or distracted. If you were in a taxi or another ride-sharing service such as Uber or Lyft It may not have been an issue if they were left on the seat. If you lose them at work or home you could put your family and belongings in danger.
Try your spare key first. It may be hidden in your home or in your bag, so it's worth doing a quick search. Also, think about going back to where you left the vehicle to the place of work or residence.
You can also run your VIN through the key database. However, if your locks have been changed or replaced or rekeyed, running your VIN number through the key database will not generate an original key that functions. Guardian Safe & Lock recommends that replacement automotive locks be re-keyed to match the original key cut as often as is feasible.
3. Check the Door Locks
You may have a problem with your door locks if you are having trouble starting your vehicle. They may be open or locked with the key inside. If you have lost your car keys, there should be a backup key that was included with the vehicle. The keys are usually kept in the key fob or as a separate backup that you can use to unlock the vehicle. You can also use a tool like a Slim Jim in order to gain access to your vehicle without damaging the ignition switch or door locks.
The battery might be dead if the key fob works but it isn't turning on the ignition. If this is the scenario, you'll have to replace the batteries inside the key fob and re-programme it if needed.
Over time, car key edges can wear away and break off in the lock or cylinder of ignition. The wafers on the keys might not be fully engaged making it difficult to turn the ignition.
A car key may occasionally switch on and off while in the ignition. This is due to the fact that the internal components are wearing out, causing intermittent problems with the ignition switch.
It's not common for people to take the wrong key off their table or from their key ring while trying to start the car. It can be a problem because some keys are very similar and you could accidentally insert the wrong key into the ignition.
You can fix this issue at home with a simple cotton swab that has been dipped in ruby alcohol. This will remove any foreign material from the surface of your key, which could hinder it from turning the ignition on or unlocking doors.
If you're still having issues make a note of your VIN number (vehicle ID number) before you call a locksmith. This will increase the likelihood of locating someone to replace your car key. Your VIN is usually found on your insurance card however, it's also in other places on the vehicle itself, including 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 and windshield washer.
4. Call for a locksmith
It's terrifying to be locked out of your car especially at night. If you don't know the location of your keys, or if you think your key has been 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 has specialized skills in all aspects of locks and access to. They are certified in the installation, removal, repair and disassembly of locks, ignition cylinders, and doors.
A lot of people in this kind of situation will try to save money by calling their car dealer to make new keys, but this is usually an unwise choice. The majority of dealerships will charge more than other shops or car parts stores, and it may take some time to receive your keys.
It is possible to find a locksmith in an emergency and let them decode your lock or design the new one for you. If you have a spare key the locksmith may only require it to decode the lock so they can create a brand new key that works with your vehicle. The locksmith will take out the old key and program a new one to start the vehicle.
The locksmith must access your vehicle to reset the computer in the vehicle to accept the new key. This is known as "all key lost" or "key fob replacement".
Transponder keys are utilized in the majority of cars nowadays. They utilize a tiny plastic key with a computer-chip to communicate with an immobilizer. The chip in the key may be damaged by heat, water, battery problems, or other factors that cause it to stop working properly. If this happens, you'll need to replace the whole key and the vehicle's computer has to be changed to accept it. A locksmith on the move who is skilled can create an appropriate key that will function in the future.