Lost Ignition Key? Here's What to Do
It is important to check all places you might have seen your ignition keys. Retrace G28 Car Keys and try to recall what you were doing when you last saw the keys.
Replacing a car key is simple and affordable. Locksmiths can create a new key right away without the original. A key that is more technologically advanced, such as a smart key, transponder or switchblade will require assistance from a roadside.
1. Check the Ignition
There are several factors that could cause your car keys not to turn the ignition. The first is that it may be worn. As time passes, the pins in the cylinder can become worn out, stopping it from turning. This is the primary reason why people are unable to start their car.
Another possibility is that the key fob is a dead battery that needs to be replaced. This is a straightforward fix that you can do at your home. Purchase new batteries for the key fob and check if it works with your car.
It could also 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 keys into the ignition cylinder. It is important to know that the ignition switch does not start the vehicle; it is only a means for the engine to be started.
If you own an ignition key that is standard, it has a metal shaft that is placed into a head made of plastic, or cylinder, inside your vehicle's ignition. When you turn the key on your ignition, it presses tumblers in a precise order and closes an ignition circuit, which will then supply power to the starter motor to start the engine.
Modern cars use a different system to protect against theft of cars, which uses an electronic chip embedded in the head of the key. These keys are also known as transponder key. When you place a key with a transponder into the ignition, it sends an identification code to the car's antenna ring. This code is unique and will activate the engine's computer and allow the starter motor to rotate.
If your car is equipped with transponder, you'll not be capable of starting it when the battery on the key fob goes out. This is why it is always a good idea to keep an extra key in your car, just in the event of a problem! However, the majority of auto makers build in a failsafe to help get your car 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 are doing something that demands your attention. If you're not careful they are easily lost and cause an unsettling situation. There are ways to get from panic and frustration to find your keys again.
You may think that traditional keys are a thing of the past but they're actually available to purchase from your local auto dealer or an automotive locksmith. They are the standard keys that lock the ignition and door and allow the car to start when turned. You can also make use of these keys to open the trunk or glove box. The traditional keys are most affordable and easy to replace. Your local locksmith can cut you one while you wait.
Key fobs first came into use in the late '90s, and they are made of plastic with buttons that lock and unlock your car (and in certain instances, set off the alarm or open the trunk). Some of these devices include physical keys that are tucked inside. The local locksmith in your area can reprogram fobs, but only after adding the new transponder and transmitter chip to the key.
We have all been guilty of putting our keys in the wrong place when we're in a rush or distracted. If you were in a taxi or other ride-sharing services, like Uber or Lyft you could not have been an issue if they were left on the seat. If you have them stolen at work or home, you could put your family and belongings in danger.
Start by looking for your spare key. You might find it in your bag or house. It's worth a quick look. Also, think about retracing your steps from where you left the vehicle to your home or work place.
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 will not generate an entirely new key that functions. Guardian Safe & Lock recommends that the replacement locks for automotive be re-keyed to match the original key cut whenever it is possible.
3. Check the Door Locks
You may have a problem with your door locks if are having difficulty starting your vehicle. The door locks could be locked or open with the key inside. If you've lost your car keys, you should have a spare backup key that came with the vehicle. These keys can be found in the key fob, or as a backup that you can use to unlock your vehicle. You can also try a tool such as a Slim Jim to gain entry into your car without damaging the door locks or the ignition switch.
If the key fob works but it's not turning the ignition, it could be due to the fact that the battery has died. You'll need to replace the batteries in the keyfob and reprogramme the device if required.
Over time, car key edges can wear away and break off in the ignition cylinder or lock. This could make it difficult to start the ignition since the wafers that make up the key aren't engaged properly.
Another common problem with the car key is that it can sometimes turn on and off when it's in the ignition. The internal components of the ignition switch are wearing out, causing intermittent problems.
When people try to start their car, they typically pick the wrong key by mistake from their key table or ring. This can cause problems because certain keys look similar and you could have accidentally inserted the wrong key into the ignition cylinder.
You can fix this problem at home with a simple cotton Swab that is dipped into rubbing alcohol. This will remove any foreign substance from the surface of the key that could stop it from turning the ignition or unlocking the doors.
If you're having difficulty take a note of your VIN (vehicle identification number) before calling locksmith. This increases the chances of finding someone who can replace your car key. You can locate your VIN on your insurance card. It's also on a piece of paper above the driver's chair, on the back of the engine block or in the trunk or on the door jamb.
4. Call a Locksmith
It's scary to be locked out of your car particularly at night. If you don't know where your keys went or if your keys are lost or stolen the best thing you can do is call an locksmith to help you unlock your door.
Locksmiths are skilled contractor with extensive knowledge of locks and access. They are trained to install, uninstall, fix and take apart doors as well as locks and ignition cylinders.
Many people who find themselves in this kind of situation attempt to save money and then call their car dealership for an upgrade. This is usually a bad decision. The majority of dealerships will charge more than other shops or parts stores, and it may take a while to get your keys.
You can find locksmiths in the event of an emergency and ask them to unlock your lock or make a 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 can work with your vehicle. The locksmith will erase the old key off the car's system, which means it won't be able to start until the new key is programmed to work with it.
The locksmith will have to access your vehicle to reprogram the computer of the vehicle to accept the new key. This process is called "key fob replacement" or "all keys lost".
The majority of cars today come with transponder keys, which use a small plastic head with an electronic chip that communicates with the car's immobilizer. The chip can be damaged due to heat, water and battery issues or any other cause. If this happens, you will have to replace the entire key and the car's computer has to be changed to accept it. A locksmith on the move who is knowledgeable will be able create an appropriate key that will work in the future.