How to Do a Broken Car Key Repair
You're heading to work in rush, and put your car keys into the ignition. Then you try to turn it around, and it breaks in the lock!
Luckily, there are several ways you can attempt to fix it before calling a locksmith. Here are some quick solutions. Super Glue.
1. Contact an expert locksmith
A broken key in the lock is among the worst things a car owner could experience. This is especially frustrating when the driver is in a rush to get somewhere, or drop off an infant. In this scenario, you should act quickly to attempt to free the stuck key.
Contacting a professional locksmith is the best option, as they'll have the proper tools and know how to remove the keys that are broken without damaging the lock. Many people look around the vehicle for something small and rigid like a paperclip or toothpick, but this usually won't work as it's too heavy 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 get into the key hole inside the lock. They should be able to grab the broken part of a key, and then pull it out. If you don't own tweezers then it may be worth looking for keys extractors, which are usually found in auto parts stores. These are flat and narrow with small hooks that can be put into the key hole and grip onto the damaged part of the key.
Another possible solution is to locate a magnetic key hook that will stick to the metal inside the lock and be pulled out. This is not always a good idea, as it can sometimes get caught under the lock and cause further damage to it. In this situation it is recommended to contact an experienced locksmith.
Some people attempt to join two pieces of a broken car key with superglue in order to remove it from the lock. However, this could be extremely risky since the pieces of metal may cling to one another and break apart later. It is also essential not to turn the key because this could cause damage to the lock or the ignition cylinder. Call a professional locksmith to replace the broken key immediately.
2. Drill through a hole
Sometimes a key breaks inside the lock, and even with an extra key, you may not be capable of opening the door to your vehicle. The lock could be drilled out. be the best solution in these instances.
First, you must make sure that the keyhole is set up for a basic tumbler key. If it isn't then you won't be able to remove the pins without damaging the door and potentially destroying the lock mechanism.
It is important to note that you will drill through the outer layer of plastic as well as an inner layer of metal. You can drill through these layers with a small drill bit, but you should not go any further. If you drill too deep it could damage the internal wiring harness or cause the drill bit to become stuck in the hole.
It is also recommended to wear a face mask and protective equipment when working with drills. This will keep the dust and dirt from entering your lungs.
Finally, it is an excellent idea to keep a pair of pliers and tweezers in your possession in the event that the broken piece of the key is sticking out of the lock. If there is enough of the key to grip with tweezers or pliers, this will suffice to pull it out of the lock. If there isn't, however, you will require a tool such as this one to encase the tool in the lock and then rotate it toward the key in order to grip it and remove it from the hole.
3. Drill a nail
You could be left without a home if you break your key in half. There are several ways to fix the issue without having to hire an locksmith. The first thing you can do is use a screw or nail. They can be found in your home or in a hardware store. It is best to choose 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. It is also good to ensure that the nail's back is flat. This will help it to fit into the cut slot of the key. This will stop it from moving around and possibly breaking again in the future.
4. Super Glue
Many car owners opt for DIY hacks, such as using super glue to repair a damaged or broken key. This is a risky method. You could end up damaging the lock, and have to pay more money to get a new one.
You must examine the broken keys first and make sure they're the same size. This is essential to ensure that the glued parts are properly aligned and that the key fits into the lock after they have been bonded. After that, you can use the fine-grit sandpaper or a metal file to smooth the edges on the broken pieces of the key. This will strengthen the glue's bond and decrease the possibility of a loose key.
After you've polished the edges of the damaged key, apply a small amount of super glue to one of the ends. Only apply the smallest amount of super glue, since too much could make the key too heavy. 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 a short time, the glue will begin to set and bind to the key pieces.
Another common household item that can be used to help extract a broken car key is a paperclip or bobby pin which can be cut into a pick-like device and placed inside the lock. This technique is particularly useful if the break is inside or near the keyway or the ignition hole.
key fob repair service near me to keep in mind is that if the broken car key has electronic components, it will require the cutting of a new key by the dealership or an experienced locksmith. The key will need to be reprogrammed with a different code, and the chip inside the key needs to be changed. If only the shell or metal part of the key is damaged, you will need to have a new cut. You won't need to reprogramme or replace electronics.