Automotive Key Repair – What to Do When Your Car Key Won’t Turn in the Ignition
We’ve all had this experience when the car’s key doesn’t engage in the ignition. It can occur at the most inconvenient moment, like when you’re filling your car with groceries or heading home from work.
Rather than panic instead, there are a variety of solutions to get back on the road. Here are a few common automotive key repair problems and solutions for them:
Broken or bent key
A bent key is the most frequent reason a car owner can’t start their remote car key repair near me. This can be fixed by simply straightening the key. This may seem simple but be cautious. The key repair near me is very thin and even bending it a little can cause it to break.
To accomplish this, you’ll require a stable workspace, and pliers. Grab one end of the key using the pliers, and then bend it back until it is straight. This should be done on a flat surface or in a vise. You can then place it in the lock to see if it turns.
If not, it could be time to get a new key cut. You don’t have to contact a locksmith and your key will still work.
Keep an extra key in your pocket to ensure you’re not left without the ability to get into your vehicle if it is damaged.
If you are experiencing issues with a broken or bent key, you can try applying grease on it prior to trying to insert it into the lock. This will enable it to move easier through the cylinder and stop it from getting stuck. You can apply graphite or spray lubricant. Use the plastic tube that comes with the spray to get a more precise application. This will also help prevent water from destroying your important.
Stuck pins or springs
Sometimes, a pin (also known as a roll pin) or spring could get stuck. Pins are a tiny 2 to 3 inches (5.1-7.6 cm) long piece of metal with hollow ends, which are used to connect two components of a machine. In the majority of cases, you can remove a nut by pulling it out with your fingers or a wrench.
If you have a newer car that uses a key with a microchip in it, there is an opportunity for the key to be programmed to work with your vehicle. This process can vary depending on the car and manufacturer.
Contact us if you require assistance with your car key lock repair near me keys or locks! We can repair or replace any vehicle key.
Gear selector
If your car’s gear selection gets stuck in park mode, you need to take it to a mechanic right away. It’s a security issue and you could cause serious damage to your vehicle if you continue to drive it. This issue is also a sign of more serious issues in the transmission system that could be costly to repair.
Most times this issue is easily fixable. The most common reason that the gear selector can get stuck is that one of the cable ends has snapped or disconnected from the lever itself. The mechanic can repair this within a couple of minutes.
In certain instances, however, the gear selector bushing could be damaged or worn out. These are rubber coverings that cover articulation points in the gear system to help it move more fluidly. They work in a similar manner to cartilage in your knees, therefore it is important to ensure that they stay healthy and supple.
You can extend the life of your gear selector by doing a few simple things. First, you should avoid using the gear selector in very cold weather. This is because the cables controlling the gear tend to freeze and cracking. It is recommended to replace the bushings using premium quality ones, like those from First Line.
These bushings are an important part of your gear selector and should not go unnoticed. If you find that yours is wearing out, it’s a good idea to go to an auto key repair near me shop that is specialized in Land Rover repairs. These experts can help you locate the ideal parts to restore your gear selector device. They can also provide you with various other services, like maintenance and service for your transmission.
Dead battery
If you turn on your key in the ignition and hear nothing but a click, then your battery is dead. The majority of batteries last between three and five years and as they age, they undergo an natural process that causes them to die early. The negative plates of your car battery will begin to be coated with sulfate crystals.
A dead battery could cause your vehicle to lose electrical power, which could lead to the radio or electric window not working properly. If you’ve been having difficulty starting your car during cold weather, this could be a sign you need a new battery.
It’s possible that the problem is not a dead battery but an issue with the charging system. This issue can be solved by having a mechanic examine that the alternator, serpentine belt, and battery cables are all functioning correctly.
Another common automotive key repair is a key fob that has stopped functioning properly. The key fob is a small device that connects to the vehicle’s computer and relays signals and commands between the engine and accessory systems. This system can become confused or stop communicating if it is submerged or is exposed to extreme temperatures.
Follow the steps in the owner’s guide to reset the keyfob that was lost. Based on the vehicle you have it may be necessary to open and close the doors, switch lights and other electronic devices on and off, press a certain sequence of buttons, or close and open the windows. If this doesn’t solve your fob, it might need to be professionally programmed, which will require a special technician. However, it’s still worthwhile to try these easy steps before you decide to pay for a new device.
Ignition socket
Modern car keys are fitted with a transponder, which when inserted into ignition, sends out an indication. This signal tells the immobilizer inside the car whether the auto key repair near me is the correct one for it to start. In the 1990s, theft of vehicles became a problem that most manufacturers installed this transponder security system in their vehicles for safety and insurance purposes.
If you have a newer car, the only way to replace your key may be at the dealership or by contacting the manufacturer directly. Before you go there make a note of the VIN number of your vehicle (vehicle identification number). It is located on the dashboard’s front, door jamb, or in the owner’s manual.
Bring your current working key to an AutoZone store and an associate will employ an instrument to trace the contours of your key blank to accurately replicate the original key. They will then cut the new key with an exact cutting machine on site. If your key is a blade type, a key fob, or has a large black or grey head on it, it’ll have to be programmed to the specific car you own before it can be used to start the engine.