Lost Ignition Key? Here's What to Do
If you lost your ignition key, you need to check all the places you might have seen it. Retrace your steps and try to remember what you were doing when you last saw the keys.
Replacing an old-fashioned car key is simple and affordable. Locksmiths can create an entirely new key in a matter of minutes without the original. A key that is more technologically advanced, such as transponder, smart keys or switchblade will require assistance from a roadside.
1. Check the Ignition
There are a few different reasons that could cause your car key to not to turn in the ignition. The first is that it may be worn. As time passes the pins within the cylinder can become worn out, stopping it from turning. This is the most common reason why people aren't able to start their cars.
A dead battery on the key fob might require replacement. If this is the case, it is a simple fix and can be accomplished at home. Just purchase new batteries for your key fob and see whether it works in your car.
Lastly, it may be that your ignition switch is faulty. The ignition switch is an element that supplies power to specific components upon inserting your car key into the ignition cylinder. The ignition switch isn't the one that actually starts the car; it is only the one that allows the engine to start.
If you own an ordinary ignition key that is made of metal, it has a shaft that is inserted into a plastic head or cylinder, in your vehicle's ignition. When you turn the key into your ignition, it pushes a set of tumblers into a specific arrangement and then closes the circuit for ignition, which will then provide 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 built into the head of the key. They are also referred to as transponder key. When you insert a key that has a transponder inside your ignition, it sends an identification code to the car's antenna. This unique code lets the computer in the engine to start the starter motor.
If your car uses transponder keys, there is no way to start it in the event that the battery for the key fob fails. It is always a good idea to keep an extra car key in your possession, just in case. The majority of auto makers have a failsafe feature that can help you start your car in the event that the key with a chip is lost.
2. Check the Locks
If you're in a hurry or doing something else that requires your attention, it is more likely that you will lose your car keys. If you're not careful, they are easily lost which can lead to stress. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to go from frustration and panic to find your keys again.
You might think traditional keys are no longer needed However, they're accessible from your local auto dealer or automotive locksmith. They are the standard keys that lock the ignition and door and then start the car when you turn it. You can also use these keys to open the trunk or glove box. Keys made of traditional design are usually the least expensive to replace and your locksmith should be able to cut one while you are waiting.
Key fobs were first introduced in the early 1990s and are made of plastic casings with buttons that can lock and unlock your car (and in certain instances they can set off the alarm or open the trunk). Some of these devices have 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.
Most of us have been guilty of omitting our keys while in a hurry or distracted. It might not be a big deal even if you put keys in your seat when you took a taxi, subway or bus, or even a ride-sharing services such as Uber or Lyft. If you are unable to locate them at home or at work, you may put your possessions and your family's safety at risk.
If you have an extra key, take it out first. You may find it in your house or bag. It is worth a quick search. Think about retracing the steps that you took from the point you parked your vehicle until your home or workplace.
Another alternative is to run your VIN number through the key database. If your locks have been altered or replaced or rekeyed, running your VIN number through the key database won't produce an original key that functions. This is the reason Guardian Safe & Lock recommends having replacement automotive locks changed to the original key cuts whenever it is possible.
3. Check the Door Locks
You may have problems with your door locks if are having difficulty getting your car started. The door locks might 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 car. Keys can be found in the key fob, or as backup keys that you use to unlock your vehicle. You can also try tools such as a Slim Jim to gain entry into your vehicle without damaging the locks on your doors or ignition switch.
The battery could be dead If the key fob is working 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 key edges may wear away and break off in the ignition lock or cylinder. The wafers on the keys might not be engaged properly, making it difficult to turn the ignition.
Another common issue with car keys is that it can sometimes switch off and on 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 uncommon for people to pick the wrong key off their table or ring when they're trying to start their car. This could be a problem because certain keys are alike and you might accidentally insert the wrong key into the ignition.
This is a quick fix that you can do at home: simply clean the key using an alcohol-based swab or cotton swab, and then ruby alcohol. This will remove any foreign material from the surface of the key that can hinder it from turning the ignition or unlocking the doors.
If you're having difficulty it is recommended that you write down your VIN (vehicle identification number) before calling a locksmith. This will give you a greater chance of finding someone who can help you replace your car keys. The VIN is typically on your insurance card, but it's also located in other places on the vehicle itself, including on a panel just 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 washer and the windshield.
4. Contact an expert locksmith
It's a nightmare to be locked out of your vehicle especially at the dark. If you aren't sure where your keys went, or if you think your key has been lost or stolen the best thing to do is contact a locksmith to come unlock your door.
Locksmiths are professional contractor who is skilled in all aspects of locks and entry access. They are trained to install, uninstall, fix and take apart doors as well as locks and ignition cylinders.
A lot of people in this kind of situation will try to save money by calling their car dealer to get new keys, but this is usually a bad idea. Most dealerships will charge you more than other shops or parts stores, and it could take a while to obtain your keys.
You can locate a locksmith in an emergency and let them unlock your lock or make the new one for you. The locksmith will likely only need to use the spare key to decode the lock, which means they can create a brand new key for your car. The locksmith will take away the old key and then program a new one to start the vehicle.
The locksmith must access your vehicle to reset the computer in the vehicle to accept the new key. This is a procedure known as "all key lost" or "key fob replacement".
Transponder keys are used in a majority of automobiles nowadays. fix ignition switch use a small plastic key that has a computer chip to communicate with an immobilizer. The chip can be damaged by heat, water or battery problems or any other cause. In this instance you'll need to replace the key and then re-program the computer in your vehicle to accept it. A mobile locksmith who is knowledgeable can create an appropriate key that will function in the future.