Lost Ignition Key? Here's What to Do
It's important to look in every place you may have seen your ignition key. Follow your steps and try to remember what you were doing when you last saw the keys.
Replacing a car key is easy and cost-effective. A locksmith can create a new key right away without the original. However, a technologically advanced key such as a transponder, switchblade, 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 keys not to turn on the ignition. First, it could be worn. Over time the pins inside the cylinder could be worn out, preventing it from turning. This is the most common reason why people aren't able to start their car.
A dead battery inside the key fob might need to be replaced. If this is the case, it's an easy fix and can be accomplished at home. Just purchase a new battery for your key fob and see whether it works in your car.
In the end, it could be that the ignition switch you are using is not working. The ignition switch is an electronic component that supplies power to certain 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.
If you own an ordinary ignition key that is made of metal, it has a shaft that is fitted into a head made of plastic, or cylinder, inside your vehicle's ignition. When you turn the key on your ignition, it presses a set of tumblers into a precise arrangement and closes an ignition circuit that will then supply power to the starter motor in order to start the engine.
Modern cars employ a different system to protect against theft of cars that utilizes an electronic chip embedded in the head of the key. They are also referred to as transponder keys. When you insert a key with a transponder into the ignition, it transmits an identification code to the car's antenna ring. This unique code will activate the engine's computer, allowing the starter motor to rotate.
If your car uses transponder keys that is not a transponder key, it will be impossible to start it in the event that the battery for the key fob fails. This is why it is always an excellent idea to have an extra key on hand, just in case! However, many auto manufacturers include a failsafe to get your car started if the key with the chip is lost.
2. Check the Locks
If you're in a rush or doing something else that demands your attention, it is more likely that you will lose your car keys. If you're not careful they could easily get lost, leading to a stressful situation. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid panic and stress to locating your keys once more.
It is possible to think that traditional keys are outdated however, they are available at your local auto dealer or locksmith. These are keys that lock your ignition and door and start the engine when you turn it. You can also use them to open a trunk or glove box. Traditional keys are typically the least expensive to replace, and your local locksmith will be able cut a key while you sit.
Key fobs were first introduced in the '90s and are made of made of plastic with buttons that can lock and unlock your vehicle (and in certain cases they can set off the alarm or open the trunk). Some of these devices come with keys that are actually made. Your local automotive locksmith can reprogramme fobs, but only after adding an additional transponder and transmitter chip to the key.
We've all been guilty of forgetting our keys when we are in a rush or distracted. It's probably not an issue even if you put them in your seat in an Uber, cab or bus, or even a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft. If you are unable to locate them at work or home it could put your family and belongings in danger.
If you have an extra key, you can test it first. You may find it in your house or bag. It is worth a quick glance. Think about retracing the steps that you took from the place you parked your vehicle to your home or workplace.
Another option is to run your VIN number through the key database. However, if your locks have been modified or replaced, running your VIN number through the key database will not produce an entirely new key that functions. Guardian Safe & Lock recommends that new automotive locks be re-keyed according to the original key cut whenever it is possible.
3. Check the Door Locks
You could have a problem with your door locks if are having trouble getting your vehicle started. They may be open or locked with the key inside. If you lose your car keys there should be a backup key that was included with the vehicle. These keys can be found in the key fob, or as a backup that you can use to open your vehicle. You could also use a tool 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, it could be due to the fact that the battery has failed. It is necessary to replace the batteries in the keyfob and reprogramme the device if required.
Over time keys to cars wear out and their edges can break in the lock or the ignition cylinder. This can make it difficult for you to start the ignition since the wafers inside the key aren't properly engaged.
Another issue that is common to a car key is that it might turn on and off when it's in the ignition. This is because the internal components are wearing down, causing intermittent problems with the ignition switch.
When people attempt to start their car, they typically grab the wrong key from their key ring or table. This could cause problems as some keys look very similar and you could be putting the wrong key into the ignition cylinder.
This is a quick fix you can perform at home: simply wipe down the key with an alcohol-based swab or cotton swab, and then ruby alcohol. This will remove any foreign substance from the surface of the key that could prevent it from turning in the ignition or unlocking the doors.
If you're having difficulty, you should write down your VIN (vehicle identification number) before contacting a locksmith. This will give you a better chance of finding someone who can assist you in replacing your car keys. The VIN will usually be on your insurance card, however, it's also in various other locations on the vehicle itself, including on a panel above the driver's seat or on the back of the engine block, in the trunk or on the door jamb, and on the frame between the carburetor and the windshield washer.
4. Call a Locksmith
Being locked out of your car can be a scary situation, especially on a dark night. 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 call a locksmith to come unlock your door.
A locksmith is an expert contractor with extensive knowledge of locks and access. They are educated in the installation of, removal, repair, and disassembly of locks, ignition cylinders and doors.
Many people in this kind of situation try to save money by calling their car dealership to get new keys however this is generally a bad idea. The majority of dealerships charge more than other parts stores or shops, and it can take an extended time to obtain the keys you require.
You can locate a locksmith in an emergency and let them unlock your lock or make an entirely new key for you. The locksmith will probably need to use your spare key to decode the lock, so they can create a brand new key for your vehicle. The locksmith will take away 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 into your vehicle, and then use a special device to re-program the computer in your car to communicate with the new key. This is known as "all key lost" or "key fob replacement".
Most cars today include transponder keys that utilize a small plastic head with an electronic chip that communicates with the immobilizer of the car. The chip in the key may be damaged by heat, water battery issues, or other reasons that make it malfunction. If does a new ignition switch require a new key happens, you will need to replace the whole key and the vehicle's computer must be programmed to accept it. A locksmith on the move who is skilled will be able to create keys for you that will work in the future.