How to Do a Broken Car Key Repair
You're on your way to work in hurry, and you jam your car keys into the ignition. You try to turn the key but it is unable to get into the lock.
Luckily, there are several ways you can attempt to solve the issue before calling a locksmith. Here are some quick fixes:: 1. Super Glue.
1. Call for a locksmith
A broken key in the lock is among the worst things a car owner could experience. This is especially frustrating if the driver is in a rush to get somewhere, or to drop off a kid. In this situation you must act swiftly to try to free the stuck key.
Contacting a professional locksmith is the best choice, because they'll have the proper tools and know how to get rid of the keys that are broken without damaging the lock. Many people look around in their vehicle for something small and rigid like a paperclip or toothpick, but this usually won't work as it is too thick to fit into the lock.
The best solution is to look for an tweezers set, as these are quite thin and easily reach the key hole within the lock. They should also be strong enough to hold the damaged part of the key and remove it. If you don't have tweezers then it may be worth looking for key extractors, which are usually found in auto parts stores. They are narrow, flat and have small hooks. They can be put in the keyhole and take the broken portion of the key.
A magnetic key hook can be used to attach to the metal of the lock, and then remove it. This is not always the best option as it could get caught in a lock and cause more damage. In this case, it's best to call an experienced locksmith.
Some people try to glue together the two pieces of a broken car key using superglue in order to take it out of the lock. This could be risky since the metal pieces could snag and break later. It is also important not to turn the key, because this could cause damage to the lock or the ignition cylinder. It is recommended to contact an expert locksmith who will be ready to take the broken key and make an immediate replacement.
2. Drill through a hole
Sometimes, a key gets damaged inside the lock, and even with an extra key, you may not be in a position to gain access to your vehicle. In these situations, drilling out the lock is the best option.
It is important to make sure that the keyhole is set up to accept a basic tumbler key. If it's not, you won't be able to drill out the pins without damaging the door and possibly destroying the internal lock mechanism.
key fob repair is important to note that you'll be drilling through an outer plastic layer as well as an inner metal layer. A small drill bit is enough to cut through these layers, but you must ensure that you don't go further than this. If you drill to deep it could cause damage to the wiring harness or cause the drill bit to get stuck within the hole.
Wearing a mask or protective equipment is also recommended when working with drilling. This will keep the dust and dirt from getting into your respiratory system.
It is an excellent idea, when the broken piece of key is still sticking out of the lock, to keep a pair pliers and tweezers in your bag. If the key is long enough to be held by tweezers and pliers, then this is enough to pull it out. If not, however you'll need to use a tool such as this one to encase the tool in the lock, and then turn it toward the key to grip and pull it out of the hole.
3. Drill a Nail
If you break your car key in half, it could leave you stranded. There are a number of options to fix the issue without having to pay locksmith. The first option is to make use of a screw or nail. They are available at home or in the hardware store. It is recommended to pick the nail that is as thin and long as possible. This will allow you to fit it into the hole, and then use epoxy to link the two parts together. Make sure that the back of the nails is flat. This will make it easier to fit into the cut slot of the key. This will prevent it from moving and breaking in the future.
4. Super Glue
A lot of motorists use DIY tricks like using super glue repair a broken car key, however this is a dangerous way to go. You could end up ruining the lock and needing to pay more for replacing it from the dealer or a locksmith.
You must examine the keys that have been damaged first to ensure they're the same size. This is crucial to ensure that all pieces that have been glued are aligned correctly and that the key will fit inside the lock once they have been joined. Then, using a piece fine-grit paper or a metal filing, smooth out the edges of the broken pieces. This will strengthen the glue's bond and decrease the possibility of a key that is loose.
After you've polished the edges of the damaged key and polished them, apply a small amount of super glue to one of the ends. Be cautious not to apply too much glue, as this could cause the key to become too thick and will have difficulty fitting into the lock. Then, you can carefully place the two pieces of the key and press them together. After several seconds the glue will begin to set and bond the key pieces together.
Another common household item that can be used to help extract a broken car key is a paperclip or bobby pin that can be made into a pick-like device and inserted in the lock. car remote key repair near me is particularly helpful in the event that the broken part is in or near the keyway or ignition hole.
A car key that is damaged and has electronic components will require an entirely new key from the locksmith or dealer. The key will need to be reprogrammed using a different code, and the chip inside the key needs to be replaced. If only the shell or metal part of the key breaks it will be necessary to get a new cut. It is not necessary to reprogramme or replace the electronic components.
