Showing posts with label car keys. Show all posts
Showing posts with label car keys. Show all posts

Monday, August 19, 2019

What to Do, Car Key Stuck in Ignition



Oh no, you went to get out of your car but realized the key get stuck in the ignition. This is a frustrating situation, to say the least. But the good news is that you ended up here. Were you searching online for help because you can’t remove your car key from the ignition? If this is what you brought you here, then we are confident you will be happy because we can provide the information that you need about ignition cylinder problems. Or you might even have a problem with your key. Either way, we hope that the provided information will prove helpful for you.

At Top Notch Locksmith LLC, we serve customers in Marietta, GA. We want to get you back on the road without you having to spend a lot of money when it is not necessary to do so. If you are in our service area just get on the phone with us for a free consultation or for a price quote for ignition cylinder replacement or broken key extraction. Or maybe you just want to figure this out for yourself. If this is the case, read on! We might be able to save you from calling a locksmith.  

We get calls often from customers who try to remove the key from their ignition, and then realize that the key, for some reason or another, will not budge. There are a couple of things you can initially try to see if they work. For example, try removing your key but do so very gently. Start the engine again and then turn it off. Or wiggle the steering wheel while pulling the key lightly, without too much force, at the same time. If these things don’t work, keep reading.

First things first: Figure out why the key won’t come out.

You are going to want to know why or what is causing the key to be stuck. Figuring out this information will help you to decide which steps to take next. The problem could be as simple as wear and tear on the ignition cylinder – this might be the case if the car is old or if the key is, consequently, old. This is something a locksmith is able to take care of for you. As previously mentioned, the steering wheel being in the wrong position could be the issue. In this case, you just have to adjust its position. Another reason the car key could be stuck would be because it has broken off in the ignition. The problem might point to the ignition cylinder or to the key. You might want to have a locksmith come out to take a look.    

Below, find more information on what could be causing the key to be stuck in the ignition.

The Car Key is No Longer in Good Shape

A car key can eventually become damaged. How? Well, maybe every day you toss your keys on the counter after work. Or maybe you use your key to do things like open boxes which you are not supposed to do. Your car key serves one purpose, and that is to operate your vehicle. Using it in other ways can cause problems. Try cleaning the ignition lock to see if this might work. You could also gently try to remove the key. But if the key has become damaged, you are going to want a new one. Again, a locksmith can help with this. If you can see noticeable damage, absolutely have the key replaced.

The Steering Wheel is Not in the Proper Position

When the key is taken out of the ignition, the car should stop running assuming it was properly shut off. If the steering column is locked and pressure is on the ignition switch, you might have an issue. But it’s easy to fix. Just gently turn the steering wheel from side to side to loosen the key, while pulling on the key at the same time. This might be the fix that you need. Obviously, you can’t just leave your key in the ignition cylinder. You won’t want to run into work with it stuck in there, or go into your home knowing it’s right there in your vehicle. So you need to fix it right away! 

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

What to Do When Transponder Key Is Lost



It is one thing to have a transponder key with a dead battery. It is another thing to have completely lost the transponder key. Top Notch Locksmith LLC is here to tell you what to do when this happens. We want to provide the information you need, so no matter where you are, you will know the appropriate steps to take. Of course, if you are located in Marietta, GA or the nearby area, you can give us a ring and we will help you. We have many customers in this part of Georgia. But if you live elsewhere, keep reading for advice on who to call!

What to Do When Transponder Key is Lost – And Not Do

When a transponder key is lost, you might have some questions. We have truly heard it all. People want to know if there is a way to disable the theft prevention system their vehicle has in place. They want to know if there is a way to basically fool the system into thinking they have the right key, when they don’t have it. What we want people to know is simple – having a new transponder key programmed by an expert is not going to cost you a fortune if you go to the right place. There is no need to try to mess around with your vehicle’s security system in an effort to trick it! If anything, you are likely going to cause damage that is only going to cost you even more money. So if you lost your transponder key and you are thinking about toying around with your security system, think again. This is never a good idea.

If you lost your transponder key, you might be able to just use your copy. People usually have at least two transponder keys for their vehicle. If you can get by on one key for the time being, meaning no one else needs a transponder key, then so be it. Just remember to check to see if you have access to a spare. Obviously, it is frustrating if you lose or misplace your transponder key. Now that you know what not to do, here’s what you should do…

Before you will be able to replace the key, you are going to need to know what sort of key goes with your vehicle. There are different forms of keys out there, so even though you know it has a transponder chip, you might need to know a little more...

Was your key indeed a transponder key? What about an electronic key? A transponder key looks like a typical key but it has a transponder chip its in head, or in the bigger, wider part of the key. Transponder keys started to become popular in the 1990s, when they were created for every vehicle made after 1993. Their goal was to provide more security. If you do indeed have a transponder key that needs to be made, then an expert will have to do the job. They will be able to cut the key and program it so it works with your vehicle. 

An electronic key, on the other hand, is not as popular as a transponder key. Either way, there are enough of them in existence that you might have one, and you don’t want to confuse it with a transponder key. If you have a very high-end vehicle, you might have an electronic key. Electronic keys do not come with a metal key. They use transponder technology to power on the vehicle. Likewise, you could actually have a laser cut key. This will have less grooves and thicker shanks than a normal transponder key. If this is the type of key you have, you just might have to turn to a dealership for assistance. 

Article Source: What to Do When Transponder Key Is Lost