Lost Ignition Key? Here's What to Do

If you've lost your ignition key, it's important to find out where you could have seen it. Retrace your steps and try to recall what you were doing when you last saw the keys.

Replacing a car key is simple and affordable. A locksmith can make an original car key, without the original. However, a more technologically advanced key like the switchblade, transponder or smart key will require assistance from a roadside to replace.

1. Check the Ignition

There are a few different things that can cause your car keys not to turn on the ignition. First, it could be worn. Over time, the pins in the cylinder could wear out, preventing it from turning. This is the primary reason that people are unable to start their vehicles.

A dead battery in the key fob may also need to be replaced. This is a straightforward fix that can be completed at your home. Purchase a new key fob battery and check if it works with your car.

In the end, it could be that your ignition switch is defective. The ignition switch is an electronic component that supplies power to various components when you insert your car key into the ignition cylinder. It is important to remember that the ignition switch does not start the car; it allows the engine to start.

If you own an ordinary ignition key with a metal shaft that is fitted into a plastic head, or cylinder, inside your vehicle's ignition. When you turn the ignition key, it presses tumblers into a precise arrangement, and then shuts off the circuit for ignition. This then supplies the starter motor with power so that the engine can begin.

Modern cars have an electronic chip inside the head of the key to stop car theft. These keys are also known as transponder keys. When you place a key with a transponder into the ignition, it sends an identification code to the car's antenna ring. This code is unique and will activate the engine's computer to allow the starter motor to turn over.

If your car is equipped with a transponder key that is not a transponder key, it will be impossible to start it when the battery of the key fob fails. It's always a good idea to have a spare car key in your possession to be prepared in the event of. Most auto manufacturers have a failsafe that will aid you in starting your car in the event that the key with a chip is lost.

2. Check the Locks

When you are in a hurry or doing something else that requires your attention, it is more likely that you'll lose your car keys. They can easily get misplaced in the event of a mishap, which leads to stress when it happens. There are steps you can take to get from stress and anxiety back to your keys.

It's possible to think that traditional keys are a thing of the past but they're still around and are available for purchase at your local auto dealer or an automotive locksmith. These are keys that secure your door and ignition, and also start the engine when turned. They can also be used to unlock a trunk or glove box. Traditional keys are generally 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 '90s and are made of plastic casings with buttons that lock and unlock your car (and in certain instances, set off the alarm or open the trunk). Some of these devices include physical keys. The locksmith at your local auto shop 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 rush or distracted. It's probably not a big deal when you forgot them in your seat if you took a taxi, subway or bus, or a ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft. If you are unable to locate them at home or at work you could put your family's belongings and personal belongings in danger.

Try your spare key first. You might find it in your house or bag. It is worth a quick glance. Also, consider retracing your steps from where you left the vehicle to the place of work or residence.

You can also run your VIN through the key database. If your locks have already been rekeyed or replaced, running your VIN through the key database won't produce keys that work. This is why 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

There could be an issue with your door locks if are having trouble getting your vehicle started. The door locks might be locked or unlocked with the key inside. If you have lost your car keys, there should be a spare key that came along with the vehicle. Keys can be found in the key fob or as backup keys that you can use to unlock your vehicle. You can also use a device such as the Slim Jim in order to gain access to your vehicle without damaging the ignition switch or door locks.

The battery might be dead If the key fob is working but it isn't turning on the ignition. You'll need to replace the batteries in the keyfob, and then reprogram the device, if necessary.

Over time, car key edges wear out and break off in the ignition cylinder or lock. This can make it difficult to turn the ignition as the wafers that make up the key aren't fully engaged.

A car key can also occasionally turn off or on while in the ignition. The internal components of the ignition switch are wearing out, causing intermittent issues.

It's not uncommon for people to mistakenly take the wrong key off their table or their key rings when trying to start the car. It could be a challenge because certain keys are alike and you might accidentally insert the wrong key into the ignition.

You can fix this issue at home with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. This will remove any foreign matter from the surface of the key that can stop it from turning the ignition and key replacement or unlocking the doors.

If you're still having issues take a note of your VIN (vehicle identification number) before contacting a locksmith. This will give you a better chance of finding someone who can assist you with replacing your car keys. The VIN is typically found on your insurance card but it's also located in various other locations on the vehicle, such as on a panel above the driver's seat and on the back of the engine block, in the trunk or the door jamb and on the frame between the carburetor and windshield washer.

4. Call an expert locksmith

It's scary to be locked out of your vehicle particularly at night. If you aren't sure where your keys went or if your keys are lost or stolen, the best thing to do is call locksmiths to unlock your door.

A locksmith is an expert contractor with extensive knowledge of locks and access. They are educated in the installation as well as the removal, repair and disassembly of locks ignition cylinders and doors.

Most people who find themselves in this position try to save money by calling their car ignition barrel replacement dealership for the new set. This is usually a bad decision. Most dealerships will charge you much more than other shops or car parts stores, and it may take a while to get your keys.

Luckily, you can also find a locksmith in an emergency and ask them to decode your lock or vehicle locksmith create a new one for you. The locksmith will probably require the spare key to decode the lock, which means they can create a new key for your Vehicle Locksmith. The locksmith will take away the old key and program the new one to start the vehicle.

The locksmith will need to access your vehicle to program the computer of the vehicle to accept the new key. This is a process called "all key lost" or "key fob replacement".

The majority of cars today come with transponder keys, which use tiny plastic heads with a computer chip to communicate with the vehicle's immobilizer. The chip inside the key could be damaged by water, heat, battery problems, or other factors that cause it not function properly. If this happens, you'll need to replace the whole key, and the computer in your vehicle must be programmed to accept it. A reputable locksmith on the move will be able to accomplish this for you, and also create a key that will work well in the future.