How to Do a Broken Car Key Repair You're headed to work in a hurry, and jam your keys in the ignition. Then you try turning it, and it snaps off inside the lock! There are several ways you can attempt to fix it before calling a locksmith. Here are a few easy solutions: 1. Super Glue. 1. Call a locksmith One of the most devastating things that can happen to the owner of a car is a broken key inside a lock. This can be particularly frustrating when the driver is trying to get somewhere, or pick up a kid. In this case you must act swiftly to attempt to remove the stuck key. It is best to call an experienced locksmith for this task, because he or she can use the right tools to remove the broken key without harm the lock. Many people look for something that is thin and rigid, such as toothpicks or paperclips. However it is not the best option since they are too heavy to fit inside the lock. The best way to do this is to use a pair tweezers. They are thin and easily fit into 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 then it may be worth searching for key extractors which are typically sold in auto parts stores. These are flat and narrow with hooks that are small enough to be placed into the key hole, and then hold onto the broken bit of the key. A magnetic key hook can be used to adhere to the metal inside the lock and then pull it out. This is not always a good idea since it is possible for it to get caught under the lock and cause further damage to it. In this case it is advised to call locksmith. Some people attempt to join the two pieces of a damaged car key with superglue in order to take it out of the lock. This can be dangerous since the metal pieces could get caught and break later. It is also crucial not to turn the key, because this could cause damage to the lock or ignition cylinder. Get a locksmith professional to replace the broken key right away. 2. Drill a hole Sometimes, a key gets damaged inside the lock, and even if you have an extra key, you may not be able to gain access to your vehicle. In these instances drilling the lock is the best choice. First, you must ensure that the keyhole is set up to accept a basic tumbler key. If it isn't, you won't be able to drill the pins without damaging the door, and potentially destroying the lock mechanism. It is important to note that you'll drill through the outer layer of plastic as well as an inner metal layer. You can drill through these layers with the smallest drill bit but you should not go any further. If you drill too deeply, it can damage the internal wiring harness, or cause the drill to stick. Wearing a protective mask or equipment is also recommended when working with a drill. This will prevent dust and dirt from getting into your respiratory system. Finally, it is recommended to have pliers and tweezers on hand in case the damaged piece of the key is sticking out of the lock. If the key is extending enough to be held by pliers and tweezers this will suffice to get it out. If not, you'll have to use an instrument such as this to wedge it into the lock and then turn it towards the key to grab and pull it out. 3. Drill a nail If you cut your car key in half, it could cause you to be trapped. There are fortunately some ways to fix it without paying for locksmith. The first step is to use the screw or nail. These are available at your home or at a hardware store. It is best to choose the nail that is as thin and as long as possible. You can then insert it into the hole, and then use epoxy glue to join the two pieces. Make key fob repair service that the back of the nails is flat. This will help it to fit into the cut slot of the key. This will prevent it from moving around and possibly breaking again in the future. 4. Super Glue A lot of car owners use DIY techniques like using super glue to repair a broken car key, but this is a dangerous option to make. You could end up damaging the lock and have to spend more money on finding a replacement at the dealer or a locksmith. You must examine the broken keys first and make sure they are of the same size. This is vital to ensure that the glued parts are properly aligned and the key will fit into the lock after they are bonded together. Then, use a piece of sandpaper with fine-grit or a metal file to smooth out the edges on the broken pieces of the key. This will improve the glue's bond and reduce the possibility of a key that is loose. After you have polished the edges of the damaged key then apply a small amount super glue to one of the ends. Use only the smallest amount of super glue, as excessive amounts can make the key too thick. It will then be difficult to fit into the lock. After aligning the two pieces of the key that broke then press them together. After some time, the glue will start to set and bond the key fragments. Another household item that can be used to extract a broken car key is a bobby or paperclip pin that can be made into a pick-like device and put into the lock. This method is particularly useful when the damage is close to or within the keyway or lock hole. Another important point to keep in mind is that if the broken car key has electronic components that require an entirely new key from the dealership or an experienced locksmith. This is because the key will have to be programmed with a new code and the chip needs to be replaced. However, if the metal or shell of the key fails it typically requires an entirely new key cut, and doesn't require any replacement or reprogramming of the electronics.
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