Lost Ignition Key? Here's What to Do

It's important to look in all the places where you may have seen your ignition key. Retrace your footsteps and try to remember what you were doing when you last saw the keys.

Replacing a traditional car key is easy and affordable. A locksmith can make a new car key without the original. A key that is more technologically advanced like a smart key, transponder or switchblade, will require assistance at the roadside.

1. Check the Ignition

There are several reasons that could cause your car key not to turn in the ignition. The first reason is that it may wear out. Over time the pins within the cylinder will wear out, which will prevent it from turning. This is the primary reason for people not being able to start their car.

A dead battery in the key fob could require replacement. This is a straightforward fix that you can do at your home. Purchase a new key fob battery and test it to see if it is compatible with your car.

It could be that your ignition switch is suffering from a fault. The ignition switch is a part that supplies power to specific components upon inserting your car key in the ignition cylinder. The ignition switch isn't the one that will start the car, it is only the one that allows the engine to start.

If you own an ignition key that is standard that is made of metal, it has a shaft that is inserted into a head made of plastic, or cylinder, inside your vehicle's ignition. When you turn your ignition key, it forces tumblers into an exact arrangement, and then shuts off the ignition circuit. This then supplies power to the starter motor so that the engine can begin.

Modern cars have a new method to stop theft of cars that utilizes an electronic chip embedded in the head of the key. These keys are often called transponder keys. When you insert a lock equipped with a transponder inside the ignition, it transmits an identification code to the car's antenna ring. This unique code will trigger the engine's computer, allowing the starter motor to rotate.

If your car has transponder, you'll not be capable of starting it when the battery in the key fob dies. This is why it's always an excellent idea to have an extra key on hand just in the event of a problem! Many automakers offer a failsafe to help you start your car in the event that the key with chip is lost.

2. Check the Locks

If you're in a hurry or doing something other thing that requires your attention, it is more likely that you will lose your car ignition key replacement keys. They are easily lost in the event of a mishap and result in stress when it occurs. Fortunately, there are ways you can get from panic and frustration to find your keys again.

It is possible to think that traditional keys are outdated, but they are still available from your local auto dealer or locksmith. These are keys that lock the ignition and door and then start the car when you turn it. You can also use them to unlock your trunk or glove box. The traditional keys are the most affordable and easy to replace. A locksmith at your local can cut you one while you are waiting.

Key fobs first came into use in the '90s and are made of plastic casings with buttons that can lock and unlock your vehicle (and in certain cases activate the alarm or open the trunk). Some of these devices come with keys that are actually made. Fobs can be programmed by your local automotive locksmith however only after a new transponder chip and an additional transmitter are added to the key.

Most of us have been guilty of forgetting our keys when in a rush or distracted. It's not important even if you put keys in your car in a taxi, subway or bus, or a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft. If you do lose them at home or at work, you may put your belongings and your family members in danger.

Start by looking for your spare key. You may find it in your bag or house. It's worth a quick search. Consider retracing the steps you took from the place you parked your vehicle to your workplace or home.

You can also run your VIN through the key database. However, if your locks have been changed or replaced, running your VIN number through the key database will not create a new key that works. Guardian Safe & Lock recommends that replacement automotive locks be re-keyed to match the original key cut as often as is feasible.

3. Check the door locks

If you're having difficulty getting your car started, it may be an issue with the door locks. The door locks might be locked or opened with the key inside. If you have lost your car keys, you should have a backup key that came along with the vehicle. The keys are usually stored in the key fob, or as a separate backup you can use to open the vehicle. You can also use a tool such as a Slim Jim in order to gain access to your vehicle without damaging the ignition switch or door locks.

If the key fob works but it's not turning the ignition, it could be because the battery is dead. You'll need to replace the batteries in the keyfob, and then reprogram the device if required.

Over time keys to cars wear out and their edges may break in the lock or the ignition cylinder. This can make it difficult for you to start the ignition since the wafers in the key aren't fully engaged.

Another common issue with a car key is that it can sometimes turn on and off when it's in the ignition. The internal components of the ignition switch are deteriorating, causing intermittent problems.

When people try to start their car, they typically pick the wrong key from their key table or ring. This can cause problems because certain keys look similar and you might have accidentally inserted the wrong key into the ignition and key replacement key cylinder.

This is a quick fix that you can do at home: just wipe down the key with an alcohol-based swab or cotton swab, and then ruby alcohol. This will remove any foreign material off the surface of your key that may hinder it from turning the ignition or unlocking doors.

If you're still having issues, you should write down your VIN (vehicle identification number) before calling an locksmith. This will give you a better chance of finding someone who can help you replace your car keys. The VIN can be found on your insurance card. It's also on a piece of paper above the driver's seat, on the back of the engine block or in the trunk or on the door jamb.

4. Call a Locksmith

It's a nightmare to be locked out of your car particularly at the dark. If you don't know where your keys are or if they've been lost or stolen you should contact a locksmith.

Locksmiths are skilled contractor with extensive knowledge of locks and access. They are trained to install, uninstall and repair doors locks, locks, and ignition cylinders.

Most people who find themselves in this position try to save money and call their dealership to get the new set. This is typically a bad decision. Most dealerships charge a lot more than other car ignition locked parts stores or shops and it can take an extended time to obtain the keys you need.

Luckily, you can also find locksmiths in the event of an emergency and have them decode your lock or design the new one for you. If you have a spare key the locksmith will likely need to use it to decode the lock, so they can create a new key that will work with your vehicle. The locksmith will wipe the old key off the car system, which means it won't be able to start until it is programmed to work with it.

The locksmith will need to enter your vehicle to reprogram the computer of the car to accept the new key. This is a procedure known as "all key lost" or "key fob replacement".

Most cars today have transponder keys that use small heads of plastic that have a computer chip to communicate with the vehicle's immobilizer. The chip can be damaged due to water, heat or battery problems, or any other reason. If this happens, you'll need to replace the whole key and the vehicle's computer has to be changed to accept it. A reliable locksmith mobile will be able to do this for you, and also create keys that work well in the future.