Lost Ignition Key? Here's What to Do
It's important to look in all places you may have seen your ignition keys. Retrace your footsteps and try to recall what you were doing when you last saw the keys.
Replacing a traditional car key is simple and affordable. A locksmith can create 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 many reasons the car key won't engage in the ignition. First, it could be worn. Over time the pins within the cylinder can wear down and stop it from turning. This is the most common reason why people aren't able to start their cars.
A dead battery in the key fob could need to be replaced. If this is the case, it is a simple fix and can be accomplished at home. Buy an additional battery for your 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 element that powers certain components upon inserting your car key into the ignition cylinder. The ignition switch is not the one that actually starts the car; it's only the one that allows the engine to start.
When you turn the ignition key, it pushes a set of tumblers into a precise arrangement and then closes an ignition circuit. When you turn the ignition key, it presses tumblers in a specific arrangement and closes the ignition circuit. This then supplies power to the starter motor so that the engine can begin.
Modern cars are equipped with an electronic chip that is embedded inside the head of the key to prevent car theft. Keys with transponders are also referred to as transponder keys. When you insert a key equipped with a transponder inside the ignition, it transmits an identification code to the car's antenna ring. This unique code can let the computer in the engine to start the starter motor.
If your car uses a transponder key it is impossible to start it in the event that the battery for the key fob dies. It is always a good idea to keep an extra car key available, just in case. Many automakers offer a failsafe to assist you in starting your car in the event that the key with chip is lost.
2. Check the Locks
If you're in a hurry or performing something else that requires your attention, it is more likely that you'll lose your car keys. If you're not careful they are easily lost and cause an unsettling situation. There are steps you can follow to get from anxiety and panic back to your keys.
You might think that keys that were traditionally used are a thing of the past but they're still are available for purchase at your local auto dealer or an automotive locksmith. They are the standard keys that lock the ignition and door and start the car when you turn it. You can also use them to unlock your trunk or glove box. The traditional keys are the most affordable and easiest to replace. A locksmith at your local will cut you one while you sit.
In the 1990s, key fobs were popular. They are plastic casings that include buttons to lock and unlock the car (and, in some cases, activate the alarm or open your trunk). Some of these devices come with keys that are actually made. Fobs can be reprogrammed by your local locksmith however only after the transponder chip has been replaced and the transmitter have been added to the key.
We've all been guilty of leaving our keys behind when we're in a rush or distracted. If you were in a taxi or another ride-sharing service such as Uber or Lyft you might not have been an issue if they were left in your seat. If you are unable to locate them at home or at work, you could be putting your belongings and your family's safety at risk.
If you have a spare key, test it first. You might find it in your home or bag. It's worth a quick search. Consider retracing the steps you took from the place you parked your vehicle until your home or workplace.
You can also run your VIN through the key database. If your locks have been altered or replaced and rekeyed, running your VIN number through the key database won't create an original key that functions. This is why Guardian Safe & Lock recommends having replacement automotive locks changed to the original key cuts whenever it is 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 with the key inside. If you've lost your car keys, you must have a spare backup key that came with your vehicle. Keys are often kept in the key fob or as a separate backup that you can use to open the vehicle. You can also try tools like a Slim Jim to gain entry into your vehicle without damaging the door locks or ignition switch.
The battery may be dead If the key fob functions but won't turn on the ignition. If this is the situation, you'll need to replace the batteries inside the key fob and reprogram it if necessary.
Over time, car keys wear down and their edges can break off in the lock or the ignition cylinder. This can make it difficult to turn the ignition because the wafers in the key aren't properly engaged.
Another issue that is common to the car key is that it may turn on and off when it's in the ignition. This is because the internal components are wearing out and causing intermittent issues with the ignition switch.
It's not common for people to take the wrong key off their table or rings when trying to start their car. This could cause problems as certain keys look similar, and you may be accidentally inserting the wrong key into the ignition key cylinder.
You can fix this issue at home with a cotton Swab that is dipped into ruby alcohol. This will remove any foreign material from the surface of your key that may stop it from turning the ignition on or unlocking doors.
If you're still having issues, write down your VIN number (vehicle ID number) before you call a locksmith. This will increase the likelihood of finding someone who can replace your car key. You can find your VIN on your insurance card. It's also on a panel above the driver's seat, on the back of the engine block, in the trunk, or on the door jamb.
4. Contact an expert locksmith
Being locked out of your car is an extremely stressful situation, particularly on a dark night. If you aren't sure the location of your keys, or if your keys are lost or stolen the best thing to do is call an locksmith to help you unlock your door.
Locksmiths are professional contractor who is skilled in everything related to locks and access to. They are trained to install, remove, fix and take apart doors, locks, and ignition cylinders.
A lot of people in this kind of situation try to save money by calling their car dealership to make a new set of keys but this is usually not a good idea. www.g28carkeys.co.uk charge a lot more than other parts stores or shops and it could take an extended time to obtain the keys you require.
You can also contact a locksmith to decode your lock in an emergency. They can then create an additional key for you. The locksmith will most likely need to use your spare key to unlock the lock, so they can make a new key for your car. The locksmith will take away the old key and program an entirely new one to begin the vehicle.
The locksmith must access your vehicle to reprogram the computer of the vehicle to accept the new key. This procedure is referred to as "key fob replacement" or "all keys lost".
Transponder keys are utilized in a majority of automobiles in the present. They are a small plastic key with a computer-chip to communicate with an immobilizer. The chip can be damaged by water, heat or battery problems or any other reason. If this happens, you will have to replace the entire key and the car's computer must be programmed to accept it. A locksmith on the move who is skilled will be able create keys for you that will work in the future.