Lost Ignition Key? Here's What to Do
If you lost your ignition key, it's important to find out where you could have seen it. Follow your steps and try to remember what you were doing the last time you recall seeing the keys.
Replacing a car key is easy and affordable. A locksmith can create a new car key without the original. A key that is more advanced in technology, such as a smart key, transponder or switchblade will require assistance at the roadside.
1. Check the ignition
There are a variety of reasons your car key won't turn in the ignition. It could be due to worn. As time passes the pins within the cylinder may become worn out, stopping it from turning. This is the most common cause of people not being able to start their car.
A dead battery inside the key fob may also need to be replaced. If this is the case, it's an easy fix and is done at home. Purchase new batteries for the key fob and check if it works with your car.
It could be that your ignition switch has malfunction. The ignition switch is an electrical component that supplies power to certain components when you insert your car keys into the ignition cylinder. It is important to remember that the ignition switch will not start the car; it only allows the engine to be started.
If you own a standard ignition key that is made of metal, it has a shaft that is inserted into a head made of plastic, or cylinder, within the ignition of your vehicle. When you turn the key into your ignition, it pushes tumblers in a precise order and shuts off the circuit for ignition, which will then provide power to the starter motor in order to start the engine.
Modern cars use an electronic chip in the key head to guard against theft of cars. These keys are also known as transponder keys. When you insert a key that has a transponder inside your ignition, it sends an identification code to your car's antenna. This unique code will activate the engine's computer, allowing the starter motor to rotate.
If your car is equipped with a transponder key, there is no way to start it when the battery of the key fob fails. This is the reason it is always recommended to keep an extra key in your car, just in the event of a problem! However, many auto manufacturers have a failsafe feature to ensure that your car is started if the key with the chip is lost.
2. Check the Locks
When you are in a rush or doing something else that demands your attention, it is more likely that you will lose your car keys. If you're not careful they could easily get lost which can lead to an unsettling situation. There are ways to get from panic and frustration to finding your keys again.
It's possible to think that traditional keys are a thing of the past but they're still around and are available for purchase at your local auto dealer or an automotive locksmith. These are standard keys that secure your ignition and door and also start the engine when you turn it. They can also be used to unlock a trunk or glove box. The traditional keys are the most affordable and easy to replace. A locksmith at your local can cut you a key while you sit.
Key fobs were first introduced in the late '90s and are made of made of plastic with buttons that can lock and unlock your car (and in certain instances activate the alarm or open the trunk). Some of these devices include physical keys. Fobs can be programmed by your local automotive locksmith however, only after a new transponder chip and a transmitter have been added to the key.
We've all had the misfortune of not having our keys when we are in a hurry or distracted. It's probably not an issue even if you put keys in your car in a taxi, subway or bus, or even a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft. If you lose them at home or at work it could put your family's belongings and personal belongings in danger.
If you have an extra key, take it out first. It might be hidden somewhere in your home or bag, making it worth an initial search. Also, consider returning to the place you left the vehicle to get to your workplace or home.
You can also run your VIN through the key database. However, if your locks have been modified or replaced or rekeyed, running your VIN number through the key database won't produce an entirely new key that functions. Guardian Safe & Lock recommends that new automotive locks be re-keyed in accordance with the original key cut as often as is feasible.
3. Check the Door Locks
If you're experiencing difficulty getting your car started, it may be an issue with the door locks. The door locks could be locked or opened with the key inside. If you have lost your car keys, you should have a spare key that was included with the vehicle. Keys can be found in the key fob, or as a backup you use to unlock your vehicle. You can also use a device like the Slim Jim in order to gain access to your vehicle without causing damage the ignition switch or door locks.
The battery may be dead If the key fob functions but won't turn on the ignition. It is necessary to replace the batteries in the keyfob and reprogram the device, if necessary.
Over ignition lock repair services , the edges of car keys can wear away and break off in the ignition cylinder or lock. The wafers on the keys might not be fully engaged making it difficult to turn the ignition.
Another common problem with a car key is that it might switch off and on when it's in the ignition. The internal components of the ignition switch are deteriorating, causing intermittent issues.
When people try to start their car, they typically grab the wrong key by mistake from their key table or ring. This could be a problem because some keys are very similar, and you may accidentally insert the wrong key into the ignition.
This is a simple fix you can perform at home: just wipe down the key with an alcohol-based swab or cotton swab, and then rubbing alcohol. This will remove any foreign material from the surface of your key that could hinder it from turning the ignition on or unlocking doors.
If you're having difficulty take a note of your VIN (vehicle identification number) before calling a locksmith. This will give you a better chance of finding someone who can assist you with replacing your car keys. You can find your VIN on your insurance card. It's also on a panel above the driver's seat, on the engine block's back or in the trunk or on the door jamb.
4. Contact for a locksmith
Being locked out of your car can be terrifying, especially in the dark of night. If you don't know where your keys went, or if your key is lost or stolen, the best thing to do is call a locksmith to come unlock your door.
A locksmith is a skilled contractor with specialized knowledge in all things related to locks and access control. They are trained in the installation, removal, repair and disassembly of locks ignition cylinders, doors and.
Most people who find themselves in this kind of situation attempt to save money and then call their dealership to get an upgrade. This is typically an unwise choice. The majority of dealerships will charge much more than other shops or car parts stores, and it may take a while to obtain your keys.
Luckily, you can also locate locksmiths in the event of an emergency and have them decode your lock or design the new one for you. If you have a spare key the locksmith will probably only need to use it to decode the lock so that they can create a new key that will work with your vehicle. The locksmith will remove the old key and then program a new one to start the vehicle.
If you own an transponder key locksmiths will require to gain entry into your vehicle, then use a special device to reprogram your car's computer to be able to connect with the new key. This is a procedure known as "all key lost" or "key fob replacement".
Transponder keys are utilized in most cars today. They use a small plastic key that has a computer chip to communicate with an immobilizer. The chip in the key can be damaged by heat, water and battery problems, as well as other factors that cause it to not function properly. In this instance, you'll need to replace the key and re-program the computer in your vehicle to accept it. A good mobile locksmith can do this for you and make an appropriate key that will function well in the future.