Lost Ignition Key? Here's What to Do
If you've lost your ignition key, you need to find out where you could have seen it. Retrace your footsteps and try to remember what you were doing when you last saw the keys.
Replacing a traditional car key is simple and affordable. A locksmith can create the new key immediately without the original. However, a more technologically advanced key, such as a transponder, switchblade, or smart key will require roadside assistance to replace.
1. Check the ignition
There are several things that can cause your car key not to turn on the ignition. It could be due to worn. As time passes the pins in the cylinder can wear down and stop it from turning. This is the most common reason for people not being capable of starting their car.
Another possibility is that the key fob has a dead battery and needs to be replaced. If this is the case, it's an easy fix that is done at home. Buy new batteries for the key fob and verify that it is compatible with your car.
It could be that your ignition switch is suffering from malfunction. The ignition switch is a component 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 a standard ignition key, it has a metal shaft that is inserted into a head made of plastic, or cylinder, within your vehicle's ignition. When you turn the key on your ignition, it pushes the tumblers into a specific arrangement and closes the circuit for ignition, which will then supply power to the starter motor in order to start the engine.
Modern cars employ a different system to prevent car theft using an electronic chip that is embedded into the head of the key. They are also referred to as transponder key. When you insert a lock equipped with a transponder inside the ignition, it sends an identification code to the car's antenna ring. This unique code will trigger the engine's computer to allow the starter motor to turn.
If your car uses a transponder key, there is no way 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 in your car just in case! However, many auto manufacturers include a failsafe to ensure that your car is started in the event that the key with the chip is lost.
2. Check the Locks
If you're in a rush or doing something else 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, leading to a stressful situation. There are steps you can take to avoid frustration and panic back to your keys.
It is possible to think that traditional keys are outdated However, they're available at your local auto dealer or automotive locksmith. These are standard keys that lock your ignition and door and then start the engine once you turn. You can also use them to unlock a trunk or glove box. Traditional keys are typically the least expensive to replace and your locksmith is likely to cut one while you sit.
In the 1990s, key fobs were popular. They are plastic casings with buttons that allow you to lock and unlock the car (and, in some cases, even activate the alarm or open your trunk). Some of these devices come with physical keys. Your local automotive locksmith can reprogram fobs, but only after adding an additional transponder and transmitter chip to the key.
We've all made the mistake of putting our keys in the wrong place when we're in a hurry or distracted. If you were in a taxi or other ride-sharing services, like Uber or Lyft It could not have been an issue if they were left on your seat. If you are unable to locate them at home or at work, you could put your possessions and your family members in danger.
If you have an extra key, try that first. It might be hidden somewhere in your home or in your bag, so it's worth a quick search. You might want to retrace the steps you took from the place you parked your car to your home or workplace.
Another alternative is to run your VIN number through the key database. If your locks have been modified or rekeyed and rekeyed, running your VIN number through the key database won't produce an original key that functions. Guardian Safe & Lock recommends that new automotive locks be re-keyed according to the original key cut whenever possible.
3. Check the Door Locks
There could be a problem with your door locks if are having trouble getting your car started. They may be open or locked with the key inside. If you lose your car keys there should be a spare key that came with the vehicle. Keys are often stored in the key fob or as a separate backup that you can use to open the vehicle. G28 can also try an instrument such as the Slim Jim to gain entry into your car without damaging the locks on your doors or the ignition switch.
If the key fob works but it's not turning the ignition, this could be because the battery has died. If this is the case, you'll need to replace the batteries on the key fob and reprogram it if necessary.
Over time, car keys wear down and their edges may break off in the lock or ignition cylinder. The wafers that make up the key might not be fully engaged making it difficult to turn the ignition.
Another common issue with car keys is that it can sometimes turn on and off 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.
It's not uncommon for people to take the wrong key off their table or their key rings when trying to start the car. It can be a problem because some keys are very similar and you could accidentally insert the wrong key into the ignition.
This is a simple fix you can perform at home: just wipe down the key with the help of a cotton swab and ruby alcohol. This will remove any foreign materials from the surface of your key that may stop it from turning the ignition or unlocking doors.
If you're having difficulty take a note of your VIN (vehicle identification number) before calling locksmith. This will increase your chances of finding someone to replace your car key. The VIN can be found on your insurance card. It's also on a panel located above the driver's seat on the back of the engine block or in the trunk or on the door jamb.
4. Contact for a locksmith
It's terrifying to be locked out of your vehicle, especially at the dark. If you don't know where your keys are, or if they've been lost or stolen you should contact a locksmith.
A locksmith is a professional contractor with specialized knowledge in all things related to locks and access control. They are certified 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 attempt to save money by calling their car dealership to create a new set of keys, but this is usually not a good idea. The majority of dealerships will charge much more than other shops or car parts stores, and it could take a while to get your keys.
You can also contact a locksmith to decode your lock in case of emergency. They can then make an additional key for you. The locksmith will most likely need to use your spare key to decode the lock, and they can make a new key for your car. The locksmith will remove the old key from the car's system, which means it won't be able to start until a new key is programmed to work with it.
If you own transponder keys locksmiths will require to gain access to your vehicle, then use a special device to reprogram your computer in your car to communicate with the new key. This procedure is referred to as "key fob replacement" or "all key lost".
Today, most cars include transponder keys that utilize tiny plastic heads with a computer chip to communicate with the immobilizer of the car. The chip inside the key could be damaged by heat, water battery issues, or other reasons that make it stop working properly. In this case you'll need to replace the key and reprogram the vehicle's computer to accept it. A good locksmith mobile will be able to accomplish this for you and make a key that will work well in the future.