How to Do a Broken Car Key Repair
You're headed to work in a hurry, and jam your keys to your car in the ignition. You try turning the key, but it snaps in the lock.
There are a few things you could do to fix the problem before contacting a professional locksmith. Here are some easy fixes. Super Glue.
1. Contact a locksmith
One of the worst things that could happen to a car owner is a damaged key in the lock. This can be particularly frustrating if the driver is in a rush to get somewhere, or to drop off an infant. In this case it is essential to act quickly and attempt to free the stuck key.
Calling an experienced locksmith is the best choice, as they'll have the right tools and know how to get rid of the keys that are broken without damaging the lock. A lot of people look around in their vehicle for something small and rigid like a paperclip, or toothpick, however this typically won't work since it is too thick to be able to get into the lock.
The best option is to use a pair tweezers. They are lightweight and easily fit inside the lock. They should be able to grasp the broken piece of a key and then pull it out. If you don't own tweezers, it could be worth looking for a set sold at 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.
A magnetic key hook can be used to adhere to the metal in the lock and then remove it. This is not always the best option since it could get caught in the lock and cause further damage. In this situation it is recommended to contact an experienced locksmith.
Some people try to join the two pieces of a broken car key using superglue in order to remove it from the lock. This could be risky as the metal pieces could snag and break later. It is essential not to turn the key because it could cause further damage to the lock or ignition cylinder. Get a locksmith professional to replace the broken key on the spot.
2. Drill into a hole
Even having a spare key you may not be able access your vehicle if a key breaks inside the lock. In these cases drilling the lock is the best choice.
The first step is to ensure that the key hole is set to accept a basic tumbler car key. If it isn't then you won't be able to remove the pins without damaging the door, and possibly damaging the lock mechanism.
It is also important to know that you will be drilling through the outer plastic layer and an inner metal layer. A small drill bit is enough to penetrate these layers, but you must ensure that you don't go further than this. If you drill too deep it may damage the internal wiring harness or cause the drill bit to become stuck within the hole.
Wearing a mask or other protective equipment is advised when using drilling. This will prevent dust and dirt from entering your lung.
It's also a good idea, when the broken piece of key is still sticking out of the lock, to have pliers and tweezers at hand. If there is enough of the key protruding to grip with tweezers or pliers, this should suffice to pull it out of the lock. If not, however key repair 'll require a tool such as this one to encase the tool inside the lock and then turn it toward the key in order to grip it and take it out of the hole.
3. Drill a Nail
You could be left without a home in the event that you break your key in half. There are several ways to fix the issue without having to pay locksmith. The first option is to use a nail or screw. They can be found in your home or in a hardware store. It is recommended to search for nails that are as thin and long as possible. So you can insert it into the hole, and then use epoxy glue to join the two pieces together. Make sure that the back of the nails is flat. This will allow it to fit into the slot in the key. This will prevent it from moving and possibly breaking again in the future.
4. Super Glue
Many motorists resort to DIY techniques such as using super glue to repair a broken car key, but this is a risky thing to do. You could end up ruining the lock and needing to shell out more money for finding a replacement at the dealer or a locksmith.
First, examine the broken keys and make sure that they match each other in terms of size. This step is essential to ensure that all the pieces that have been glued are aligned correctly and that the key will fit inside the lock once they have been joined. After that, use the fine-grit sandpaper or a metal file to smooth the edges of the broken pieces of the key. This will improve the bond of glue and decrease the likelihood of a future loose key.
After finishing the edges, apply a small amount (about an amount of pea-sized) of super glue on the other side. Only apply car key fob repair near me of super glue, as too much could make the key too thick. It will then be difficult to fit into the lock. After aligning the two pieces of the broken key and pressing them together, you can press them. After some time the glue will begin to set and bind the key fragments together.
A bobby-pin or a paperclip can also be used to extract a broken key from an lock. They can be cut like a pick and inserted into the lock. This method is particularly helpful when the damage is close to or inside the keyway or lock hole.
A car key that is damaged and has electronic components will require an entirely new key from the dealer or a professional locksmith. This is because the key needs to be programmed using a new code and the chip needs to be replaced. If the shell or metal part of the key fails it will be necessary to get a new cut. You don't have to reprogramme or replace electronic components.