How to Do a Broken Car Key Repair

You're heading to work in a hurry, and jam your car keys into the ignition. You try turning the key however it locks. the lock.

Luckily, there are several ways you can fix it before calling a locksmith. Here are a few quick fixes. Super Glue.

1. Contact a locksmith

One of the worst things that can happen to a repair car keys owner is a damaged key in the lock. This is especially frustrating if the driver is in a hurry to get somewhere, or pick up the child. In this case you must act swiftly to attempt to free the stuck key.

It is recommended to call an experienced locksmith for this task as they will be able to use the appropriate tools to remove the broken key without damage the lock. Many people are looking for something small and stiff such as a toothpick or paperclip. However, this is not the best choice since they are too large to fit into the lock.

The best solution is to search for a pair of tweezers, as these are quite thin and can easily get into the key hole in the lock. They should also be strong enough to hold the damaged part of the key and then pull it out. If you don't own tweezers it might be worth looking for key extractors that are often available in auto parts stores. These are flat and narrow with hooks that are small enough to be placed into the key hole and then grip onto the damaged part of the key.

Another possible solution is to find an magnetic key hook that can stick to the metal inside the lock and then pull it out. This is not always a good option because it could be caught in the lock and cause further damage to it. In this situation it is recommended to contact an experienced locksmith.

Some people will try to stick the two pieces of their broken car key with superglue as this can help them to remove it from the lock. This is a risk as the metal pieces could snag and break later. It is important to not turn the key because this could cause further damage to the lock or ignition cylinder. It is recommended to contact an expert locksmith who will be able to remove the broken key and create a replacement on the spot.

2. Drill a Hole

Sometimes a key breaks inside the lock, and even with an extra key, you may not be capable of opening the door to your vehicle. In these instances drilling the lock is the best option.

It is important to ensure that the keyhole is positioned to accept a basic tumbler key. If it isn't, you won't be able to drill the pins without damaging the door and potentially destroying the lock mechanism.

It is important to keep in mind that you will drill through an outer plastic layer as well as an inner metal layer. You can drill through these layers with a small drill bit, but you should not go any deeper. If you drill to deep it could damage the internal wiring harness or cause the drill bit to get stuck within the hole.

Wearing a mask or protective gear is also recommended when working with drills. This will stop dust and dirt from entering your lungs.

In the end, it's a good idea to have two pairs of pliers and tweezers available in the event that the broken piece of the key is sticking out of the lock. If there is enough of the key to grip with tweezers or pliers, this will suffice to pull it out of the lock. If not you'll need to use an instrument like this one to wedge the tool inside the lock and then rotate it toward the key in order to grip it and pull it out of the hole.

3. Drill a nail

If you break your car key in half, it can leave you trapped. There are a number of options to fix the issue without having to hire an locksmith. The first method is to utilize a screw or nail. You can find them at home or at a hardware store. It is recommended to select the nail that is as thin and long as possible. This way you can fit it in the hole and then use epoxy to link the two parts together. It is also important to ensure that the back of the nail is level. This will allow it to fit into the slot cut in the key. This will prevent it from moving and possibly breaking again in future.

4. Super Glue

A lot of car owners make use of DIY hacks like using super glue to attempt to fix a damaged car key, however this is a dangerous thing to do. You could end up damaging the lock, and then have to shell out more money to get a new one.

The first step is to examine the keys that are broken and ensure that they are in terms of size. This is essential to ensure that the pieces are properly aligned and the key will fit into the lock once they have been bonded. Then, using a piece fine-grit paper or a metal filing, smooth out the edges of the broken pieces. This will make the glue bond better and reduce the chances of a loose key in the future.

Once you have polished the edges of the damaged key and polished them, apply a small amount super glue to one of the ends. Be careful not to apply too much, as this can cause the key to become too heavy and Broken car Key repair will have difficulty fitting into the lock. After aligning the two pieces of the broken key and pressing them together, you can press them. After a few seconds the glue will begin to set and join the key fragments.

A bobby-pin or paperclip can also be used as a tool to extract a broken key from a lock. They can be shaped like a pick and inserted into the lock. This method is especially useful if the break is in or near the keyway or the ignition hole.

Another important thing to note is that if the damaged car key has electronic components and requires the cutting of a new key by the dealership or a professional locksmith. The key will have to be reprogrammed using a new code and the chip inside the key must be replaced. In contrast, if only the shell or metal portion of the key fails it typically requires the cutting of a new key and doesn't require any replacement or reprogramming of the electronics.