Lost Ignition Key? Here’s What to Do
If you’ve lost the ignition key, it’s important to check all the places you could have seen it. Follow your steps and try to recall what you were doing the last time you recall seeing the keys.
Replacing an old-fashioned car keys is easy and cost-effective. Locksmiths can make an entirely new key in a matter of minutes 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 a variety of reasons the car key won’t engage in the ignition. The first thing is that it could be worn out. Over time the pins inside the cylinder can wear out, preventing it from turning. This is the primary reason for people not being in a position to start their vehicle.
Another possibility is that the key fob has a dead battery and needs to be replaced. This is a simple fix car ignition that can be completed at your home. Just purchase a new battery for your key fob, and test if it works in your car.
It could be that your ignition switch may have an issue. The ignition switch is an electrical device that supplies power to various components when you insert your car key into the ignition cylinder. It is important to know that the ignition switch does not start the car; it only allows the engine to be started.
When you turn the key in your ignition, it pushes tumblers into a specific arrangement and closes an ignition circuit. When you turn the ignition key, it pushes tumblers in a specific arrangement and then closes the circuit for ignition. Then, it will supply power to the starter motor to allow the engine to start.
Modern cars use a different system to protect against theft of cars that utilizes an electronic chip that is embedded into the head of the key. Keys with transponders are also referred to as transponder keys. When you insert a key that has a transponder into your ignition, it transmits an identification code to the car ignition switch‘s antenna. This unique code lets the engine’s computer 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 is always a good idea to keep an extra key in your car, just in case! However, many auto manufacturers have a failsafe feature to help get your car started in the event that the key with the chip is lost.
2. Check the Locks
When you are in a hurry or performing something other thing that requires your attention, it is more likely that you’ll lose your car keys. If you’re not careful they could easily get lost which can lead to a stressful situation. There are steps you can take to avoid stress and anxiety back to your keys.
You might think traditional keys are obsolete however, they are accessible from your local auto dealer or automotive locksmith. These are keys that secure the door and ignition and start the car when turned. You can also use these keys to open your trunk or G28Carkeys glove box. The traditional keys are the cheapest and most common to replace. Your local locksmith will cut you one while you wait.
In the 1990s, key fobs became popular. They are plastic casings with buttons for locking and unlocking the car (and, in some cases, activate the alarm or open your trunk). Some of these devices have keys that are actually made. The locksmith at your local auto shop can reprogram fobs but only after adding the new transponder and transmitter chip to the key.
We have all been guilty of leaving our keys behind when we’re in a hurry or distracted. It’s probably not an issue even if you put keys in your car if you took a taxi, subway, bus or ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft. If you lose them at home or at work, you may be putting your belongings and your family in danger.
If you have an extra key, try that first. You may find it in your house or bag. It is worth a quick look. Also, consider returning to the place you left the vehicle to your workplace or home.
You can also run your VIN through the key database. If your locks have already been rekeyed or changed, running your VIN through the key database will not produce an appropriate key. Guardian Safe & Lock recommends that the replacement locks for automotive be re-keyed to match the original key cut as often as is feasible.
3. Check the door locks
If you’re having difficulty getting your car to start, it could be a problem with the door locks. The door locks might be locked or opened with the key inside. If you’ve lost your car keys, it is recommended to have a spare backup key that came with the vehicle. The keys are located in the key fob, or as a backup you can use to open your vehicle. You can also use a tool like 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 functioning but it’s not turning the ignition, this could be due to the fact that the battery is dead. It is necessary to replace the batteries in the keyfob, and then reprogram the device, if necessary.
Over time, car key edges wear out and break off in the ignition cylinder or lock. The wafers on the keys might not be fully engaged, making it difficult to turn the ignition.
A car key can also occasionally turn off or on while in the ignition. This is due to the fact that the internal components are wearing down and can cause intermittent problems with the ignition switch.
It’s not uncommon for people to take the wrong key off their table or from their key ring while trying to start the car. This could cause problems as keys that look identical and you could have accidentally inserted the wrong key into the ignition key cylinder.
It is possible to fix this issue at home with a cotton Swab that is dipped into rubbing alcohol. This will remove any foreign material from the surface of your key that may prevent it from turning the ignition or unlocking doors.
If you’re having difficulty, you should write down your VIN (vehicle identification number) before calling an locksmith. This will give you a greater chance of finding someone who can assist you with 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 itself, such as on a panel just above the driver’s seat and 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. Contact a locksmith
Being locked out of your car is an extremely stressful situation, particularly on a dark night. If you’re not sure where your keys went, or if your keys are lost or stolen the best thing to do is to call a locksmith to come unlock your door.
A locksmith is a professional contractor with specialized knowledge in all aspects of locks and access to. They are certified to install, uninstall or repair and dismantle doors locks, locks, and ignition cylinders.
Many people who find themselves in this kind of situation attempt to save money and call their dealership to get a new set. This is usually an unwise choice. The majority of dealerships will charge more than other shops or car parts stores, and it could take a while to get your keys.
You can locate locksmiths in times of need and ask them to unlock your lock or make the new one for you. The locksmith will probably require the spare key to decode the lock, and they can create a new key for your car. The locksmith will wipe the old key from the car system, which means it can’t start unless the new key is programmed to work with it.
The locksmith will have to enter your vehicle to reprogram the computer of the vehicle to accept the new key. This is a process called “all key lost” or “key fob replacement”.
Today, most cars include transponder keys that utilize tiny plastic heads with an electronic chip that communicates with the car’s immobilizer. The chip may be damaged due to water, heat and battery issues or any other reason. In this situation you’ll need to replace the key and then re-program the computer in your vehicle to accept it. A locksmith on the move who is knowledgeable can create an appropriate key that will function in the future.