Lost Ignition Key? Here's What to Do
If you've lost your ignition key, it's vital to find out where you might have seen it. Retrace your footsteps and try to remember what you were doing when you last saw the keys.
Replacing an old-fashioned car keys is easy and inexpensive. Locksmiths can create the new key immediately without the original. However, a more technologically advanced key like the switchblade, transponder or smart key will require assistance from a roadside to replace.
1. Check the Ignition
There are a few different reasons that could 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 the cylinder may wear out, preventing it from turning. This is the main reason why people aren't able to start their vehicles.
A dead battery on the key fob could need to be replaced. This is a straightforward fix that can be completed at your home. Purchase new batteries for the key fob and test it to see if it is compatible with your car.
It could also be that the ignition switch you are using is not working. The ignition switch is an electrical device that provides power to specific 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 key in your ignition it forces a set of tumblers into a precise arrangement and closes an ignition circuit. When you turn the ignition key, it presses tumblers in a specific arrangement, and then shuts off the circuit for ignition. This will then supply the starter motor with power so that the engine can begin.
Modern cars have an electronic chip in the key head to prevent car theft. Keys with transponders are also referred to as transponder key. 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 trigger the engine's computer and allow the starter motor to turn over.
If your car is equipped with a transponder, you will not be in a position to start it once the battery on the key fob goes out. It's always a good idea to keep an extra car key on hand to be prepared in the event of. However, many auto manufacturers include a failsafe to ensure that your car is going if the key that contains the chip is lost.
2. Check the Locks
Car keys usually get lost when you're in a hurry or doing something that demands your attention. If you're not careful, they are easily lost, leading to an unsettling situation. There are ways you can go from frustration and panic to locating your keys once more.
You might think that keys like the old-fashioned ones are outdated 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 door and ignition and then start the car when turned. You can also utilize these keys to unlock a glove box or trunk. Keys made of traditional design are usually the most affordable to replace and your locksmith is likely cut a key while you sit.
Key fobs were first introduced in the early 1990s, and they are made of plastic with buttons that lock and unlock your car (and in certain cases, set off the alarm or open the trunk). Some of these devices come with keys that are actually made. 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've all made the mistake of leaving keys in the car when we're in a rush or distracted. It's not an issue even if you put them in your seat when you took a taxi, subway or bus, or even a ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft. If you lose them at home or at work it could put your family and belongings in danger.
Start by looking for your spare key. It could be hidden 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 your workplace or home.
You can also run your VIN through the key database. However, if your locks have been modified or changed or rekeyed, running your VIN number through the key database will not generate an entirely new key that functions. This is the reason Guardian Safe & Lock recommends replacing automotive locks with keys that are changed to the original key cuts whenever it is possible.
3. Check ignition key replacement cost
There could be problems with the door locks if you are having difficulty getting your vehicle started. They may 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. These keys are often kept in the key fob, or as a separate backup you can use to unlock your vehicle. You could also use a tool such as a Slim Jim in order to gain access to your vehicle without causing damage the ignition switch or door locks.
If the key fob is working but it's not turning the ignition, it could be because the battery has died. It is necessary to replace the batteries in the keyfob and reprogram the device if required.
Over time, car keys wear down and their edges can break off in the lock or the ignition cylinder. The wafers on the keys might not be fully engaged making it difficult to turn the ignition.
The car key can occasionally turn off or on when in the ignition. This is because the internal components are wearing out and causing intermittent issues with the ignition switch.
When people attempt to start their car, they often take the wrong key from their key table or ring. This could be a problem since some keys are similar and you could accidentally insert the wrong key into the ignition.
You can fix this problem at home with a simple cotton Swab that is dipped into ruby alcohol. This will remove any foreign substances off the surface of your key that could prevent it from turning the ignition on or unlocking doors.
If you are still having trouble, write down your VIN number (vehicle ID number) before calling a locksmith. This will increase your chance of finding someone who can assist you in replacing your car keys. Your VIN is usually located on your insurance card but it's also located in a few other places on the vehicle, such as on a panel that is above the driver's seat, on the back of the engine block in the trunk, or the door jamb, and on the frame that runs between the carburetor and the windshield washer.
4. Contact a locksmith
It's a nightmare to be locked out of your vehicle particularly at the dark. If you're not sure where your keys went, or if your key is lost or stolen the best thing you can do is call locksmiths to unlock your door.
Locksmiths are professional contractor who is skilled in all aspects of locks and access control. They are trained to install, remove or repair and dismantle doors as well as locks and ignition cylinders.
Many people who find themselves in this situation try to save money by calling their local dealership to request the new set. This is typically an unwise choice. Most dealerships will charge you much more than other shops or parts stores, and it may take a while to obtain your keys.
You can also contact a locksmith to decode your lock in the event of an emergency. They can then make a new key for you. If you have a spare key, the locksmith will probably only require it to decode the lock, so they can make a new key that works with your vehicle. The locksmith will remove the old key and program a new one to start the vehicle.
The locksmith must enter your vehicle to program the computer of the car to accept the new key. This is a procedure known as "all key lost" or "key fob replacement".
Transponder keys are found in a majority of automobiles in the present. They use a small plastic key that contains a computer chip to communicate with an immobilizer. The chip in the key could be damaged by water, heat and battery problems, as well as other reasons that make it malfunction. If this happens, you'll have to replace the entire key and the car's computer has to be changed to accept it. A mobile locksmith who is knowledgeable will be able create keys for you that will work in the future.