Lost Ignition Key? Here's What to Do

It's important to look in all places you might have seen your ignition key. Retrace your steps and try to remember what you were doing the last time you saw the keys.

Replacing a traditional car key is simple 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 roadside assistance to replace.

1. Check the Ignition

There are a variety of reasons the car key won't turn in the ignition. The first reason is that it might wear out. Over time the pins within the cylinder will wear out, which will prevent it from turning. This is the primary reason that people are unable to start their car.

A dead battery in the key fob could require replacement. This is a simple fix that you can do at home. Simply buy a new battery for your key fob and check whether it works in your car.

It could also be that the ignition switch you are using is not working. 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 actually start the vehicle, it allows the engine to be started.

If you own a standard ignition key, it has a metal shaft that is fitted into a head made of plastic, or cylinder, within your vehicle's ignition. When you turn the key into your ignition, it presses tumblers into a specific arrangement and then closes an ignition circuit, which will then provide power to the starter motor to start the engine.

Modern cars have an electronic chip inside the head of the key to prevent car theft. They are also referred to as transponder key. When you insert a key with transponder in your ignition, it sends an identification code to the car's antenna. This unique code can let the engine's computer turn on the starter motor.

If your car is equipped with a transponder, you will not be capable of starting it when the battery in the key fob dies. It's always a good idea to keep an extra car key available, just in case. Many automakers offer a failsafe to aid you in starting your vehicle if the key with chip is lost.

2. Check the Locks

When you are in a hurry or performing something else that demands your attention, it is more likely that you will lose your car keys. They are easily lost when you're not paying attention, which leads to a stressful situation when it occurs. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to avoid panic and stress to finding your keys again.

You might think traditional keys are no longer needed, but they are still available at your local auto dealer or automotive locksmith. These are standard keys which lock the ignition and door and allow the car to start when turned. They can also be used to open a trunk or glove box. Keys made of traditional design are usually the cheapest to replace and your locksmith should be able to cut one while you are waiting.

Key fobs first came into use in the early 1990s and are made of made of plastic with buttons that allow you to lock and unlock your car (and in some cases activate the alarm or open the trunk). Some of these devices include keys that are actually inside the. Fobs can be reprogrammed by your local locksmith however, only after a new transponder chip and the transmitter have been added to the key.

Many of us have been guilty of forgetting our keys when we are stressed or distracted. If you were in a taxi or a ride-sharing services, like Uber or Lyft, it could not have been a big problem if the keys were left in your seat. If you lose them at home or at work, you may be putting your belongings and your family members in danger.

Check your spare key first. It may be hidden in your house or your bag, so it is worth doing a quick search. Also, think about retracing your steps from where you left the vehicle to the workplace or home.

Another alternative is to run your VIN number through the key database. If your locks have been changed or rekeyed then running your VIN through the key database won't produce a key that will work. This is the reason Guardian Safe & Lock recommends replacing automotive locks with keys that are replaced with keys that match the original cuts whenever possible.

3. Check the door locks

You may have a problem with your door locks if you are having trouble getting your car started. The door locks may be locked or opened by using the key inside. If you've lost your car keys, you must have a spare backup key that came with the vehicle. These keys are often stored in the key fob, or as a separate backup that you can use to unlock your vehicle. You can also try tools such as the Slim Jim to gain entry into your vehicle without damaging the door locks or the ignition switch.

The battery may be dead if the key fob works but won't turn on the ignition. If this is the scenario, you'll have to replace the batteries on the key fob and reprogramme it if required.

Over time, the edges of car ignition switch keys may wear away and break off in the ignition cylinder or lock. The wafers on the key may not be properly engaged, making it difficult to turn the ignition.

Another common problem with a car key is that it might switch off and on when it's in the ignition. The internal components of the ignition switch are deteriorating, causing intermittent problems.

When people are trying to start their vehicle, they usually grab the wrong key by mistake from their key table or ring. This could be a problem because some keys are very alike and you might accidentally insert the wrong key into the ignition.

This is a simple fix that you can do 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 hinder it from turning the ignition or unlocking the doors.

If you're still having trouble, you should write down your VIN (vehicle identification number) before calling locksmith. This will increase the likelihood of locating someone to replace your car key. The VIN can be found on your insurance card. It's also on a panel above the driver's chair, on the engine block's back, in the trunk, or on the door jamb.

4. Contact for a locksmith

Being locked out of your vehicle is a scary situation, especially in the dark of night. If you don't know where your keys went or if your key is lost or stolen, the best thing to do is to call a locksmith to come unlock your door.

A locksmith is a skilled contractor who has specialized knowledge of locks and access. They are certified in the installation, removal, repair and disassembly ignition cylinders, doors and.

Many people in this kind of situation will attempt to save money by calling their car dealer to get new keys but this is usually not a good idea. The majority of dealerships charge more than other parts shops or shops, and it can take a long time to get the keys you require.

It is possible to locate locksmiths in times of need and have them unlock your lock or make the new one for you. The locksmith will most likely need to use your spare key to unlock the lock, so they can create a brand new key for your vehicle. The locksmith will take away the old key and program an entirely new one to begin the vehicle.

The locksmith must access your vehicle to reset the computer in the vehicle to accept the new key. This is known as "all key lost" or "key fob replacement".

The majority of 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 inside the key can be damaged by heat, water battery issues, or other factors that cause it to not function properly. If this happens, you will have to replace the entire key and the car's computer needs to be reprogrammed to accept it. A good mobile locksmith will be able to do this for you, and also create an appropriate key that will function well in the future.