Lost Ignition Key? Here's What to Do

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

Replacing the traditional car key is easy and inexpensive. A locksmith can make a new car key without the original. However, a technologically advanced key such as a transponder, switchblade, or smart key will require assistance from a roadside to replace.

1. Check the Ignition

There are many reasons your car key doesn't turn on in the ignition. The most important thing is that it might wear out. As time passes the pins within the cylinder may become worn out, stopping it from turning. This is the primary reason why people aren't able to start their vehicles.

A dead battery in the key fob might require replacement. If this is the case, it's an easy fix that can be accomplished at home. Buy a new key fob battery and test it to see if it is compatible with your car.

It could be that your ignition switch has an issue. The ignition switch is a component that supplies power to specific components after inserting your car key in the ignition cylinder. The ignition switch isn't the one that starts the car; it's only the one that allows the engine to start.

If you have a standard ignition key, it has a metal shaft that is fitted into a plastic head or cylinder, inside the ignition of your vehicle. When you turn the key into your ignition, it pushes the tumblers into a precise arrangement and closes an ignition circuit that will then provide power to the starter motor to start the engine.

Modern cars are equipped with an electronic chip that is embedded inside the head of the key to stop car theft. These keys are often referred to as transponder keys. When you insert 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, allowing the starter motor to turn.

If your car uses a transponder key that is not a transponder key, it will be impossible to start it when the battery of the key fob dies. This is why it's always a good idea to keep an extra key on hand, just in the event of a problem! Most auto manufacturers have a failsafe that will help you start your car if the key with chip is lost.

2. Check the Locks

If you're in a rush or doing something else that demands your attention, it's more likely that you will lose your car keys. They are easily lost when you're not paying attention, which leads to stress when it occurs. There are steps you can follow to avoid anxiety and panic back to your keys.

You may think that keys that were traditionally used 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 standard keys which lock the door and van ignition repair and start the car when you turn it. You can also utilize these keys to unlock the trunk or glove box. The traditional keys are most affordable and easiest to replace. The locksmith in your neighborhood will cut you one while you are waiting.

Key fobs were introduced in the late '90s and are made of plastic casings that have buttons that lock and unlock your car (and in certain instances activate the alarm or open the trunk). Some of these devices have keys that are actually made. Fobs can be reprogrammed by a locksmith in your area however only after the transponder chip has been replaced and a transmitter have been added to the key.

We've all made the mistake of leaving our keys behind when we're in a hurry or distracted. It might not be a big deal even if you put keys in your seat if you took a taxi, subway or bus, or a ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft. If you do are unable to locate them at home or at work, you could put your possessions and your family's safety at risk.

Check your spare key first. You may find it in your home or bag. It's worth a quick look. Also, think about returning to the place you left your vehicle to the home or work place.

You can also run your VIN through the key database. However, if your locks have been altered or changed and rekeyed, running your VIN number through the key database won't create a new key that works. This is why Guardian Safe & Lock recommends having replacement automotive locks replaced with keys that match the original cuts whenever it is possible.

3. Check the Door Locks

If you're experiencing difficulty starting your car, there may be an issue with the door locks. The door locks could be locked or open by using the key inside. If you lose your car keys, you should have a spare key that came along with the vehicle. These keys are often stored in the key fob, or as a separate backup you can use to open the vehicle. You can also use a tool such as a Slim Jim in order to gain access to your vehicle without damaging the ignition switch or door locks.

If the key fob is functioning, but it won't turn the ignition, it could be due to the fact that the battery has failed. If this is the case, you'll need to replace the batteries in the key fob and reprogramme it if required.

Over time, car key edges wear out and break off in the lock or cylinder of ignition. The wafers that make up the key might not be fully engaged, making it difficult to turn the ignition.

Another common problem with car keys is that it might switch off and on when it's in the ignition. This is because the internal components are wearing down and can cause intermittent problems with the ignition switch.

When people try to start their car, they typically pick the wrong key by mistake from their key ring or table. This could be a problem since some keys are similar and you could accidentally insert the wrong key into the ignition.

This is a quick fix that you can do at home: simply wipe down the key with a cotton swab and some ruby alcohol. This will remove any foreign substances off the surface of your key that could stop it from turning the ignition on or unlocking doors.

If you're still having issues it is recommended that you write down your VIN (vehicle identification number) before contacting a locksmith. This will increase your chances of locating someone to replace your car key. You can locate your VIN on your insurance card. It's also on a panel above the driver's seat on the back of the engine block and in the trunk or on the door jamb.

4. Call an expert locksmith

Being locked out of your car is terrifying, especially on a dark night. If you don't know where your keys are or if they've been lost or stolen you should call a locksmith.

A locksmith is an expert contractor with specialized knowledge in locks and access. They are certified in the installation, removal, repair and disassembly ignition cylinders and doors.

Many people in this kind of situation will attempt to save money by calling their car dealership to get new keys however this is generally a bad idea. The majority of dealerships will charge more than other shops or parts stores, and it might take a while to get your keys.

Luckily, you can also locate locksmiths in the event of an emergency and let them decode your lock or create an entirely new key for you. The locksmith will likely only need to use your spare key to unlock the lock, so they can make a new key for your vehicle. The locksmith will take out the old key and then program a new one to start the vehicle.

The locksmith will need to enter your vehicle in order to program the computer of the car to accept the new key. This is a procedure known as "all key lost" or "key fob replacement".

The majority of cars today have transponder keys that use small heads of plastic that have an electronic chip that communicates with the vehicle's immobilizer. The chip inside the key can be damaged by heat, water and battery problems, as well as other factors that cause it to not function properly. In this situation, you'll need to replace the key and re-program the computer in your vehicle to accept it. A good mobile locksmith can do this for you and create a key that will work well in the future.