Guide To Automotive Key Repair: The Intermediate Guide For Automotive Key Repair

Automotive Key Repair - What to Do When Your Car Key Won't Turn in the Ignition

We've all experienced this - the car key won't turn in the ignition. It occurs at the most inconvenient times, like when you're loading your trunk with groceries, or returning to home from work.

Instead of panicking, there are several different options to get you back on the road. Here are a few of the most common automotive key repair problems and solutions for them:

Broken or bent keys

The most common reason an owner of a car cannot start their car is a bent key. Straightening the key is an easy fix. This might seem easy however, you need to be cautious. The key is very thin and even bending it small enough could cause it to break.

To do this, you'll need a stable workspace, and an plier. Hold the key at one end with the pliers, and bend it until it is straight. It is best to do this on a flat surface or in a vice. Then, you can put it in the lock to determine whether it will turn.

If not, it might be time to get a new key cut. This will save you from having to call a locksmith, and will ensure that your key works.

Keep an extra key in your pocket to ensure you don't have a way to enter your vehicle if yours breaks.

If you're experiencing problems with a broken or bent key, you can try applying lubrication on it before inserting it into the lock. This will make it easier to move through the cylinder, and also prevent it from becoming stuck. Spray graphite or lubricant. Use the plastic tube that comes with the spray to ensure a more precise application. This will also help to prevent moisture from ruining your key.

Pins that are snuck or springs

Sometimes a pin (also called a roll pin) or spring can become stuck. A pin is a small piece of steel that measures between 5.1 and 7.6 cm (2.5-3.0 in) long with hollow ends. It is used to connect two parts 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 own a newer vehicle that is equipped with a key with a microchip in it, there is an opportunity for the key to be programmed to work with your vehicle. This can be a simple or complicated depending on the car's manufacturer and model.

Contact us for assistance with your car keys or locks! We can repair, replace or program virtually any car key.

Gear Selector

If your car's gear selection gets stuck in park mode, it's important to bring 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. It could also be a sign that the transmission system is experiencing bigger problems, which are costly to fix.

Fortunately, the majority of the time this problem can be fixed easily. The most frequent reason the gear selector may be stuck is because one of the cable ends has snapped, or separated from the lever itself. The mechanic can repair this issue in a matter of minutes.

In some cases the bushings on the gear selector could be damaged or worn. The rubber covers are put around the joints of the gear system to ensure that it is fluid. They function in a similar way to cartilage in your knees, so it's important that they remain healthy and flexible.

You can extend their life by doing a few easy things. You should avoid the gear selection in extremely cold weather. This is because the cables that remote control car key repairs the gear tend to freeze and cracking. You should also replace the bushings using premium quality ones, like those from First Line.

These bushings are a critical component of your selection of gears and shouldn't be ignored. If you notice that yours is worn out it is best to visit an auto repair shop that specializes Land Rover repairs. They can assist you in finding the right parts to fix your gear selection device. They can also provide you with many other services, like transmission service and maintenance.

Dead battery

If you turn the key in the ignition and you hear nothing but a click, then your battery is dead. As batteries 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 can also cause you to lose the electrical power in your vehicle, causing the radio or the electric windows to malfunction. If your car is having problems starting in cold weather, it is a good sign that it is time for an upgrade to your battery.

Sometimes your problem might not be a dead battery, but rather a problem with the charging system of your vehicle. This issue can be solved by having your mechanic check that the alternator, serpentine belt, and battery cables all work correctly.

Another common automotive key repair is a key fob that isn't working properly. The key fob is connected to the computer in your vehicle and relays signals and commands between the engine and the accessory systems. This system can be confused or cease communicating if it is submerged or is exposed to extreme temperatures.

Follow the directions in the owner's manual to reset the lost keyfob. Depending on the type of vehicle it will require opening and closing the doors, turning the lights and other electronic devices on and off, or pressing a specific sequence of buttons. If this doesn't fix your fob, it might require professional programming, which will require a special technician. But it's still worth trying these simple steps before you decide to pay for a new one.

Ignition socket

Modern car keys include a transponder chip built into them. It transmits an electronic signal to a receiver inside the ignition when it is inserted. This signal tells the immobilizer on the car if the key is the correct one to allow it to start. In the 1990s, theft of vehicles became such a problem that most manufacturers put this transponder security device in their vehicles for security and insurance purposes.

If you have a brand newer car, the only way to replace your key could be through a dealership or by calling the manufacturer directly. Write down the VIN (vehicle ID number) of your car prior to you leave. It is located on the dashboard's front or door jamb in your owner's manual.

Bring your existing working key to an AutoZone participating store. A staff member will use a machine that will trace the contours of the blank key in order to precisely duplicate the original key. The new key will be cut on site by a cutting machine that is precise. If the key you are using has blade, fob, or a thick grey or black head it will need to be programmed for your vehicle before you can use it to start the motor.