Lost Ignition Key? Here's What to Do
If you've lost your ignition key, you need to look for all places you may have seen it. Follow your steps and try to remember 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 create an entirely new car key without the original. A key that is more technologically advanced, such as a smart key, transponder or switchblade will require assistance at the roadside.
1. Check the ignition
There are several reasons why the car key won't engage in the ignition. It could be due to worn. Over time, the pins inside of the cylinder will wear out, which will prevent it from turning. This is the main cause of people not being able to start their car.
A dead battery on the key fob might require replacement. This is a simple fix that can be completed at your home. Buy a new key fob battery and verify that it is compatible with your car.
It could be that your ignition switch is suffering from malfunction. The ignition switch is an element that provides power to certain components upon inserting your car key in the ignition cylinder. The ignition switch is not the one that actually starts the car, it is only the one that allows the engine to start.
When you turn the key in your ignition it forces a set of tumblers into a precise arrangement and then closes an ignition circuit. When you turn the ignition key, it pushes tumblers in a specific arrangement, and then shuts off the ignition circuit. Then, it will supply the starter motor with power to allow the engine to begin.
Modern cars have a new system to protect against theft of cars using an electronic chip embedded in the head of the key. They are also referred to as transponder key. When you insert a key that has a transponder in your ignition, it sends an identification code to your car's antenna. This unique code can let the computer in the engine to turn on the starter motor.
If your car has a transponder key it is impossible to start it if the key fob battery is dead. This is why it's always a good idea to keep a spare key with you, just in case! However, many auto manufacturers have a failsafe feature to ensure that your car is going if the key that contains the chip is lost.
2. Check the Locks
When you are in a hurry or performing something else that demands your attention, it's more likely that you'll lose your car keys. They can easily get misplaced in the event of a mishap and result in a stressful situation when it happens. Fortunately, there are ways to go from frustration and panic to finding your keys again.
You may think that keys like the old-fashioned ones are an old fashion thing, but they're still around and available to purchase from your auto dealership or from an automotive locksmith. These are standard keys which lock the ignition and door and then start the car when you turn it. You can also utilize these keys to unlock the trunk or glove box. Traditional keys are generally the least expensive to replace and your local locksmith is likely cut a key while you are waiting.
In key stuck in ignition , key fobs became popular. They are plastic casings that include buttons that allow you to lock and unlock the car (and, in some cases, activate the alarm or open your trunk). Some of these devices have physical keys that are tucked inside. Fobs can be programmed by your local locksmith however only after the transponder chip has been replaced and a transmitter have been added to the key.
We have all been guilty of leaving keys in the car when we're in a hurry or distracted. It's not a big deal even if you put keys in your seat in a subway, taxi or bus, or even a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft. However, if you lose them at home or at work, you may put your possessions and your family in danger.
If you have an extra key, test it first. It might be hidden somewhere in your home or in your bag, so it's worth an initial search. Also, think about going back to where you left the vehicle to the home or work place.
You can also run your VIN through the key database. If your locks have already been changed or rekeyed then running your VIN through the key database will not produce keys that work. This is why Guardian Safe & Lock recommends replacing automotive locks with keys that are changed to the original key cuts as often as is possible.
3. Check the Door Locks
If you're having trouble getting your car started, it may be an issue with the door locks. They could be open or locked with the key inside. If you've lost your car keys, you must have a 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 unlock the 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.
If the key fob is functioning but it's not turning the ignition, this could be because the battery is dead. If this is the scenario, you'll have to replace the batteries inside the key fob and reprogramme it if required.
Over time keys to cars wear out and their edges may break off inside the lock or the ignition cylinder. The wafers that make up the key might not be fully engaged which makes it difficult to turn the ignition.
Another issue that is common to the car key is that it may switch off and on when it's in the ignition. This is due to the fact that the internal components are wearing down and causing intermittent issues with the ignition switch.
When people are trying to start their vehicle, they usually grab the wrong key by mistake from their key ring or table. It can be a problem because some keys are very alike and you might 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 rubbing alcohol. This will remove any foreign materials from the surface of your key, which could prevent it from turning the ignition on or unlocking doors.
If you still have trouble make a note of your VIN number (vehicle ID number) before calling a locksmith. This will give you a better chance of finding someone who can assist you with replacing your car keys. The VIN is typically on your insurance card, however, it's also in other places on the vehicle itself, including on a panel that is above the driver's seat or on the back of the engine block, in the trunk, or the door jamb and on the frame that runs between the carburetor and windshield washer.
4. Call a locksmith
Being locked out of your car can be an extremely stressful situation, particularly 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 you can do is to call an locksmith to help you unlock your door.
A locksmith is a skilled contractor who has specialized skills in everything related to locks and access to. They are educated in the installation, removal, repair and disassembly of locks ignition cylinders and doors.
Many people in this kind of situation will attempt to save money by calling their car dealer to make new keys but this is usually a bad idea. Most dealerships will charge you much more than other shops or parts stores, and it could take a while to obtain your keys.
You can also contact a locksmith to unlock your lock in the event of an emergency. They will then design an additional key for you. The locksmith will most likely need to use the spare key to decode the lock, which means they can create a brand new key for your vehicle. The locksmith will remove the old key and then program the new one to start the vehicle.
If you have an transponder key the locksmith will require to gain access to your vehicle. They will then use a special device to reprogram your car's computer to connect with the new key. This is a process called "all key lost" or "key fob replacement".
Transponder keys are found in a majority of automobiles nowadays. They use a small plastic key that contains a computer chip to communicate with an immobilizer. The chip in the key can be damaged by water, heat, battery problems, or other factors that cause it stop working properly. In this situation you'll have to replace the key and then re-program the vehicle's computer to accept it. A reliable mobile locksmith will be able to do this for you, and also create keys that work well in the future.