Lost Ignition Key? Here's What to Do
If you lost the ignition key, it's vital to look for all places you could have seen it. Follow your steps and try to recall what you were doing the last time you were able to remember seeing the keys.
Replacing a traditional car key is easy and affordable. A locksmith can make an entirely new car key without the original. A key that is more advanced in technology like a smart key, transponder or switchblade, will require assistance at the roadside.
1. Check the ignition
There are several things that can cause your car key to not to turn the ignition. The first reason is that it could be worn out. Over time, the pins inside of the cylinder will wear out and stop it from turning. This is the most common cause of people not being able to start their car.
A dead battery in the key fob might need to be replaced. This is a simple fix that you can do at home. Purchase a new key fob battery and test it to see if it is compatible with your car.
Lastly, it may be that your ignition switch is faulty. The ignition switch is an electronic component that supplies power to certain components when you insert your car keys into the ignition cylinder. The ignition switch is not the one that starts the car; it's only the one that allows the engine to start.
When you turn the ignition key and it pushes tumblers into a precise arrangement and then closes an ignition circuit. When you turn the key into your ignition, it forces a set of tumblers into a specific arrangement and shuts off the circuit for ignition, which will then supply power to the starter motor to start the engine.
Modern cars have a new system to protect against theft of cars that utilizes an electronic chip embedded in the head of the key. They are also referred to as transponder keys. When you insert a lock equipped with a transponder inside the ignition, it transmits an identification code to the car's antenna ring. This unique code will activate the engine's computer, allowing the starter motor to rotate.
If your car uses a transponder key that is not a transponder key, it will be impossible to start it when the battery of the key fob is dead. It is always a smart idea to keep an extra car key available to be prepared in the event of. The majority of auto makers offer a failsafe to aid you in starting your car in the event that the key with a chip is lost.
2. Check the Locks
When you are in a hurry or performing something other thing that requires your attention, it's more likely that you'll lose your car keys. If you're not careful they are easily lost and cause stress. There are steps you can follow to get from anxiety and panic back to your keys.
It's possible to think that traditional keys are a thing of the past but they're still available to purchase from your auto dealership or from an automotive locksmith. They are the standard keys that lock the ignition and door and then start the car when turned. read more can also use them to unlock your trunk or glove box. Traditional keys are generally the least expensive to replace, and your local locksmith will be able to cut one while you sit.
Key fobs first came into use in the early 1990s, and they are plastic casings that have buttons that lock and unlock your car (and in certain instances they can set off the alarm or open the trunk). Some of these devices include keys that are actually made. The locksmith at your local auto shop can reprogram fobs, but only after adding an additional transponder and transmitter chip to the key.
We've all made the mistake of leaving keys in the car when we're in a hurry or distracted. It might not be a big deal if you left keys in your seat in a taxi, subway or bus, or even a ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft. However, if you lose them at home, or at work, you could put your possessions and your family members in danger.
If you have an extra key, test it first. It may be hidden in your home or bag, making it worth doing a quick search. You might want to retrace the steps you took from the place you parked your vehicle until your workplace or home.
You can also run your VIN through the key database. However, if your locks have been changed or rekeyed and rekeyed, running your VIN number through the key database will not produce an original key that functions. This is why Guardian Safe & Lock recommends replacing automotive locks with keys that are re-keyed to the original key cuts whenever possible.
3. Check the Door Locks
If you're experiencing difficulty getting your car to start, it may be an issue with the door locks. The door locks could be locked or open by using the key inside. If you lose your car keys there should be a spare key that came with the vehicle. These keys are often stored in the key fob, or as a separate backup that you can use to open the vehicle. You can also try an instrument like a Slim Jim to gain entry into your vehicle without damaging the locks on your doors or the ignition switch.
If the key fob is functioning, but it won't turn the ignition, this could be because the battery is dead. If this is the case, you'll need to replace the batteries in the key fob and re-programme it if needed.
Over time, car keys wear down and their edges may break in the lock or the ignition cylinder. The wafers on the keys might not be engaged properly, making it difficult to turn the ignition.
The car key can sometimes turn on or off while in the ignition. The internal components of the ignition switch are deteriorating, causing intermittent problems.
It's not common for people to take the wrong key off their table or rings when trying to get their car started. This can lead to problems since certain keys look similar and you could be putting the wrong key into the ignition cylinder.
You can fix this problem at home using a cotton Swab that is dipped into rubbing alcohol. This will remove any foreign substances from the surface of your key, which could stop it from turning the ignition or unlocking doors.
If you are still having trouble take a note of your VIN number (vehicle ID number) before calling a locksmith. This increases the chances of finding someone to replace your car key. Your VIN is usually located on your insurance card however, it's also found in other places on the vehicle, such as on a panel that is 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. Contact a locksmith
It's scary to be locked out of your car especially at the dark. If you aren't sure where your keys are or if they've been stolen or lost, it is best to contact a locksmith.
A locksmith is a skilled contractor who has specialized skills in everything related to locks and access to. They are certified to install, uninstall, fix and take apart doors locks, locks, and ignition cylinders.
Most people who find themselves in this situation try to save money by calling their dealership to get the new set. This is typically a bad decision. Most dealerships will charge you more than other shops or parts stores, and it might take a while to obtain your keys.
You can find a locksmith in an emergency and have them decode your lock or create a new one for you. The locksmith will most likely need to use your spare key to decode the lock, so they can make a new key for your car. The locksmith will erase the old key off the car system, meaning it won't be able to start until it is programmed to work with it.
The locksmith will have to enter your vehicle in order to reprogram the computer of the vehicle to accept the new key. This is a procedure known as "all key lost" or "key fob replacement".
Transponder keys are utilized in most cars nowadays. They use a small plastic key with a computer-chip to communicate with an immobilizer. The chip may be damaged due to water, heat or battery problems or any other cause. In this instance you'll need to replace the key and then re-program the vehicle's computer to accept it. A mobile locksmith who is skilled will be able create a key for you that will function in the future.