How to Do a Broken Car Key Repair
You're heading to work in hurry, and you jam your keys to your car in the ignition. You try to turn the key however it locks. the lock.
Luckily, there are a few ways you can try to resolve the issue before calling a locksmith. Here are a few quick fixes. Super Glue.
1. Contact an expert locksmith
One of the most devastating things that can happen to a car owner is a damaged key in the lock. This can be even more painful if it occurs when the driver is hurrying to get somewhere or to drop off a child. In this situation, it is important to act swiftly and try to release the stuck key.
Contacting a professional locksmith is the best option as they'll have the proper tools and know how to remove the broken keys without damaging the lock. Many people will have a look around the vehicle to find something light and sturdy like a paperclip, or toothpick, but this isn't likely to work as it's too thick to fit into the lock.
A much better solution is to search for a pair of tweezers as these are quite thin and can easily reach the key hole inside the lock. They should also be strong enough to hold the damaged part of the key and remove it. If you don't own tweezers, it might be worth looking for a set that is available at auto parts stores. These are flat and narrow with hooks that are small enough to be put into the key hole, and then hold onto the broken bit of the key.
Another possible solution is to locate a magnetic key hook that will attach to the metal in the lock and be pulled 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's best to call an experienced locksmith.
Some people try to join two pieces of a damaged car key with superglue in order to remove it from the lock. However, this is very risky as the bits of metal may cling to one another and fall apart later. It is important to not turn the key as this could cause further damage to your lock or ignition cylinder. Call a professional locksmith to repair the broken key right away.
2. Drill a hole
Even having a spare key you may not be able to access your vehicle if the key breaks inside the lock. In these instances, drilling out the lock is the most effective option.
First, you need to make sure that the key hole is designed to accept a standard tumbler car key. If it's not there, you won't be able to drill out the pins and cause damage to the lock's door or mechanism.
It is important to keep in mind that you'll be drilling through an outer layer of plastic as well as an inner metal layer. A small drill bit is sufficient to penetrate these layers, but you must ensure that you don't go further than this. If you drill too deep, it could harm the wiring harness inside or cause the drill bit to become stuck inside the hole.
It is also recommended to wear a mask and protective gear while working with drills. This will prevent dust and dirt from entering your lungs.
It is also an excellent idea to keep a pair of pliers and tweezers on hand in case the broken piece of the key is sticking out of the lock. If there is enough of the key to be grasped by tweezers, or pliers, this could be sufficient to get it out of the lock. If there isn't, however, you will need to use a tool such as this one to insert the tool into the lock and then turn it toward the key to grip and remove it from the hole.
3. Drill a nail
You could be left without a home when you cut your key in half. There are several ways to fix the issue without the expense of a locksmith. The first thing you can do is use a screw or nail. These are available at your home or at a hardware store. It is recommended to select the nail that is as thin and as long as you can. So you can insert it into the hole and then apply epoxy glue to join the two pieces together. It is also good to make sure the back of the nail is flat. This will allow it to fit into the slot cut in the key. This will prevent it from moving and potentially breaking again in the future.
4. Super Glue
Many auto owners resort to DIY hacks, such as using super glue to fix a broken key. This is a dangerous method. You could cause damage to the lock and be forced to shell out more for a replacement.
First, examine the keys that are broken and make sure they match each other in terms of size. This is crucial to ensure that all the pieces that have been glued are aligned correctly and that the key will fit inside the lock once they've been bonded. Then, using a piece of fine-grit paper or a metal filing, smooth the edges of the damaged pieces. key fob repairs will help make the glue bond better and reduce the chances of a key becoming loose in the future.
Once you have polished the edges of the damaged key and polished them, apply a small amount of super glue to one of the ends. Be careful not to use too much, as this could cause the key to become too thick and will have difficulty fitting into the lock. After lining up the two pieces of the key that broke then press them together. After some time, the glue will start to set and join the key pieces together.
Another household item that can be used to extract a broken car key is a bobby or paperclip pin, which can be shaped into a pick-like device and put into the lock. This technique is particularly helpful when the damage is located in or close to the keyway or ignition hole.
Another thing to remember is that if the broken car key has electronic components that require the cutting of a new key by the dealership or a professional locksmith. This is because the key will need to be programmed using a new code and the key chip needs to be replaced. If, however, only the shell or metal portion of the key breaks, it usually just requires the cutting of a new key and doesn't require replacement or reprogramming of the electronic components.