Lost Ignition Key? Here's What to Do

It is important to check all the places where you may have seen your ignition keys. Retrace your steps and try to recall what you were doing when you last saw the keys.

Replacing an old-fashioned car key is easy and inexpensive. Locksmiths can create an entirely new key in a matter of minutes without the original. A key that is more technologically advanced like transponder, smart keys or switchblade will require assistance from a roadside.

1. Check the Ignition

There are a variety of reasons your car key won't turn in the ignition. First, it could be worn. Over time, the pins inside of the cylinder will wear out and stop it from turning. This is the most common cause of people not being able to start their car.

A dead battery inside the key fob could require replacement. If this is the case, it is an easy fix that is done at home. Just purchase an additional battery for your key fob and see if it works in your car.

It could be that your ignition switch has malfunction. The ignition switch is an element that provides power to certain components upon inserting your car keys into the ignition cylinder. The ignition switch is not the one that will start the car; it's only the one that allows the engine to start.

When you turn the ignition key and it pushes a set of tumblers into a precise arrangement and closes an ignition circuit. When you turn the ignition key, it presses tumblers in a specific arrangement, and then shuts off the circuit for ignition. This then supplies power to the starter motor to allow the engine to begin.

Modern cars are equipped with an electronic chip that is embedded inside the key head to guard against theft of cars. Keys with transponders are also referred to as transponder keys. When you insert a lock with a transponder into your ignition, it sends an identification code to the car's antenna. This unique code will trigger the engine's computer and allow the starter motor to rotate.

If your car uses transponder keys that is not a transponder key, it will be impossible to start it in the event that the battery for the key fob dies. This is why it's always recommended to keep an extra key on hand, just in the event of a problem! The majority of auto makers offer a failsafe to aid you in starting your car if the key with chip is lost.

2. Check the Locks

Car keys are typically lost when you're in a rush or performing something that requires your attention. If you're not careful they can easily be misplaced and cause an unsettling situation. There are steps you can take to get from panic and frustration to find your keys again.

You might think traditional keys are no longer needed However, they're available at your local auto dealer or automotive locksmith. They are the standard keys that lock your ignition and door, and also start the engine when turned. You can also use them to unlock your trunk or glove box. The traditional keys are cheapest and most common to replace. A locksmith at your local can cut you one while you are waiting.

Key fobs were first introduced in the late '90s and are made of plastic casings that have buttons that allow you to lock and unlock your vehicle (and in certain instances activate the alarm or open the trunk). Some of these devices come with physical keys that are tucked inside. The local locksmith in your area can reprogramme fobs, but only after adding the new transponder and transmitter chip to the key.

Many of us have been guilty of forgetting our keys while in a rush or distracted. It might not be an issue if you left keys in your seat when you took an Uber, cab, bus or ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft. However, if you are unable to locate them at home or at work, you could be putting your belongings and your family members in danger.

If you have an extra key, try that first. It could be in your bag or house. It is worth a quick search. Also, consider returning to the place you left the vehicle to get to your place of work or residence.

Another option is to run your VIN number through the key database. If your locks have already been rekeyed or changed, running your VIN through the key database won't produce keys that work. This is the reason Guardian Safe & Lock recommends getting replacement automotive locks re-keyed to the original key cuts whenever possible.

3. Check the Door Locks

If you're having trouble starting your car, there may be an issue with the door locks. The door locks could be locked or opened with the key inside. If you've lost your car keys, it is recommended to have a backup key that came with the vehicle. The keys are usually kept in the key fob or as a separate backup that you can use to unlock the vehicle. You could also try an instrument like the Slim Jim to gain entry into your vehicle without damaging the door locks or ignition switch.

The battery could be dead If the key fob is working but won't turn on the ignition. If this is the case, you'll need to replace the batteries in the key fob and re-programme it if needed.

Over time, the edges of car ignition replacement keys can wear away and break off in the ignition lock or cylinder. This can make it difficult for you to turn the ignition because the wafers that make up the key aren't properly engaged.

The car key can occasionally switch on and off while in the ignition. The internal components of the ignition switch are wearing out, causing intermittent problems.

It's not uncommon for people to mistakenly grab the wrong key from their table or from their key rings when trying to start their car. This can cause problems because keys that look identical, and you may be accidentally inserting the wrong key into the ignition cylinder.

It is possible to fix this issue at home using a cotton swab that has been dipped in ruby alcohol. This will remove any foreign substance from the surface of the key that can hinder it from turning the ignition or unlocking the doors.

If you still have trouble make a note of your VIN number (vehicle ID number) before you call a locksmith. This will give you a better chance of finding someone who can help you replace your car keys. The VIN will usually be on your insurance card, however, it's also in various other locations on the vehicle, such as on a panel just above the driver's seat, 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 a locksmith

It's a nightmare to be locked out of your car particularly at night. If you're not sure where your keys went, or if your key is lost or stolen the best thing you can do is contact a locksmith to come unlock your door.

Locksmiths are professional contractor Lost Ignition Key who is skilled in all things related to locks and entry access. They are certified to install, uninstall or repair and dismantle doors as well as locks and ignition cylinders.

Most people who find themselves in this kind of situation attempt to save money and call their local dealership to request does a new ignition switch require a new key new set. This is typically an unwise choice. Most dealerships will charge you more than other shops or parts stores, and it could take some time to receive your keys.

You can also call a locksmith to decode your lock in the event of an emergency. They can then make an additional key for you. The locksmith will likely only need to use the spare key to decode the lock, and they can make a new key for your car. The locksmith will take away the old key and program an entirely new one to begin the vehicle.

If you have an transponder key, the locksmith will need to gain access to your vehicle, and then use a special device to reprogram the car's computer to connect to the new key. This is known as "all key lost" or "key fob replacement".

Transponder keys are utilized in a majority of automobiles in the present. They utilize a tiny plastic key that contains a computer chip to communicate with an immobilizer. The chip may be damaged due to heat, water and battery issues or any other cause. In this situation you'll have to replace the key and reprogram the computer in your vehicle to accept it. A reliable mobile locksmith can do this for you, and also create an appropriate key that will function well in the future.