How to Find Car Key Repairs Near Me
Repairing a car key is one of the best ways to keep your vehicle safe. Many people aren't aware how to pick the right service provider.
Keys from the past that can start cars are easy and cheap to replace, however, modern keys require specialized equipment to programme them to a specific car. This can be costly and inconvenient.
Lost Keys
In the past the time of car keys being lost, it was not a major issue. Typically, you would just call roadside assistance or the local locksmith. Then, you'll get a new key, program it, and then solve the issue. But as cars have evolved in terms of technology, misplacing a key isn't as simple as it was in the past. And the process to replace a lost car key can be costly.
First of all ensure you have a spare key available. This will prevent you from having to incur the expense of hiring a professional locksmith to cut you a new one. And it will also let you avoid calling for roadside assistance which can be costly.
If you do not have a spare key, try searching your pockets (including pockets on the garments or jackets you were wearing at the time you lost the keys). You should also check every place you normally put them, such as inside your shoe or the bag you use for your workouts. Also look in places you might not think of such as under your seat or on the floor.
You can also put up flyers around your neighborhood asking if anyone has located your car keys. This could help you find leads or at the very least give you peace-of-mind that your car keys weren't stolen. You can also put up an ad for lost and found for your car on a website such as Craigslist.
The cost to replace the lost car key is based on the kind of car and the key you own. The traditional car key is the least expensive to replace. You can purchase a replacement from AutoZone or from locksmiths, or your dealership for just $25.
The more complex transponder keys, also known as smart keys, however, can be extremely expensive. They require a technician to repair the cuts on the key first and then take the key apart and match the transponder chip to your vehicle. It can be as expensive as $2,000 to replace the car key and its electronic components.
Broken Keys
When your car key breaks in the lock it can be a real nuisance. There are some things you can do to try and recover your broken key before calling for a locksmith.
Spray the keyhole with lubricant to reduce friction. This will make it easier to take out broken pieces. You could also use a thin piece of wire to help you grip the protruding piece so that you can pull it out. Alternatively needle nose pliers could be used to retrieve broken pieces of keys. It is essential to be gentle when using these tools to ensure that you don't push the broken key piece further into the lock.
Another method that is popular is to apply superglue to the end of the key that sticks out of the lock. This is not an ideal solution for the average user, as it can be messy and not a reliable method of solving the issue. The glue can get into all the crevices and crannies of the lock, making it difficult to get rid of the broken piece.
In most cases, you'll require an locksmith to repair a damaged key. Keep both pieces of the broken key, however, as this will assist the locksmith to better understand how he can create the replacement. It's also cheaper to have a locksmith make you a new key without the original one, especially if it is an older car that doesn't need a chip.
It is also worth noting that the key fob you have purchased has been damaged, you will have to replace it as well. This can be due to physical damage or a malfunctioning internal component. It could also happen following regular use or after a battery replacement. This will be more expensive than purchasing a new car key with no key fob, but it's still a viable option if you aren't able to to pay for the new key right away. You'll need proof that you own the vehicle to allow the locksmith to create the replacement fob.
car key fob repair near me is a common issue that can occur to anyone. It can be frustrating and uncomfortable to lock yourself out of your vehicle, especially if it happens in the middle of the day or when you're trying get somewhere important. There are a number of steps you can take to prevent an auto lockout from happening again and get back into the incident.
Lost Keys
Being locked out of your car due to misplacing your keys is the most frequent reason people get locked in their vehicles. Preventative measures such as keeping your car keys in the same location and using an alarm that reminds you to carry your keys with you when you leave your vehicle will reduce the chance of this happening.
Dead Batteries
In most cases, a simple solution such as replacing the batteries in the key fob of your car will solve the issue. Be sure to inspect your key fob for signs of wear and tear, and replace the battery promptly when needed.
Broken Ignition Cylinder
Over time the ignition cylinder of your vehicle could wear out and become difficult to get rid of. Most of the time, this is the result of a foreign object getting stuck in the ignition. This can be avoided by checking the car regularly for signs and fixing any issues that may arise.
Burglars Tampering
Burglars are known to alter your locks to gain access to your vehicle and take the contents. This can lead to the locks deteriorating over time, leading to a loss of functionality. This is usually detected by a simple test like inserting your key into mechanisms other than the ignition.
If you have an extra key near by, a neighbor or family member can locate it and open the door. This is usually quicker than calling for roadside assistance and is also less expensive. If you do not have a spare, avoid DIY methods that could damage your lock mechanism. For instance, using a slim-jim. A roadside assistance program can provide peace of mind and help you avoid the expense of calling for professional assistance.
Door Locks
Sometimes, the locks on your door can get a little sticky. This can be due to various reasons, including changes in weather and the size of your door frame. In this case the lock's tumblers get clogged by debris and may not turn correctly. Lubrication is a good option in this case. Apply a coating of graphite powder or a spray, then insert it into the keyhole in the lock. The graphite will provide lubrication and enable the tumblers to rotate properly. This simple fix usually resolves the issue.
In other cases the issue could be due to a misalignment of lock cylinder. To address this, first loosen the screws holding the cylinder slightly--don't remove them completely. Using a screwdriver, carefully adjust the cylinder's position to align its keyway with the keyhole on the door. After repositioning then tighten the screws.
If your lock cylinder remains stuck or doesn't respond to lubrication, you might have to replace it. Luckily, this isn't as difficult as it seems. You'll require a rekeying kit that matches the lock. The rekeying kits will usually comprise a range of tools and pins of different sizes that you will need to remove from your cylinder. The pins will be replaced with new ones that are the same length in order to re-align the keyway of your lock.
Key fobs require a bit more effort because they need to be disassembled. However, the majority of manufacturers have made it fairly easy to disassemble the device without causing damage as a result, and you can repair or replace the key fob on your own by following the directions in the manual. It is important to note that the battery in the key fob could die over time, or could be damaged by water which could impact its function. In these situations it is a good idea to contact your auto insurance provider for roadside assistance--you may be able to have someone sent out to recover your key fob, at the expense of the service provider.