Automotive Key Repair - What to Do When Your Car Key Won't Turn in the Ignition We've all experienced this when the car's key doesn't turn in the ignition It can occur at the most inconvenient time, such as when you're loading your trunk with groceries or heading home from work Rather than panic, there are several different options to get you back on the road Here are a few common car key repair issues and their possible solutions Broken or bent key The most frequent reason an owner of a car cannot start their car is a bent key Straightening the key is an easy fix This may sound simple but it's important to do it with care The key is thin and could break if you bend it even slightly You'll need a solid work surface as well as a pair of pliers to accomplish this Take one end of the key using the pliers and bend it back until it is straight This should be done on a flat surface, or in a vise Then, you can place it inside the lock to determine if it will turn If not, you might require a new key made You will not need to call a lock-smith and your existing key will function Keep an extra key in your pocket to ensure you don't have the ability to get into your vehicle if yours breaks If you are having trouble inserting a broken or bent lock key, try applying grease to it This will enable it to move easier through the cylinder and stop it from getting stuck You can use a spray lubricant or graphite powder Make use of the plastic tube which comes with the spray for the most precise application This will also help prevent moisture from damaging your important Spring pins and springs that are stuck Sometimes a pin also called a roll pin or spring may get stuck A pin is a small piece of metal that measures between 51 and 76 cm 25-30 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 an older car that is equipped with microchip keys it is likely that the key will need to be programmed to work with your vehicle This procedure can be easy or difficult depending on the car's manufacturer and model Contact us for assistance with your car locks or keys We can repair, replace or programme nearly any key for your vehicle Gear Selector If your car's gear selection gets stuck in park mode, it's crucial to bring it to a mechanic as soon as you notice it It's a safety issue and could cause serious damage to your vehicle if continue to drive it This can also be a sign of more serious issues with the transmission system that could be expensive to fix Luckily, most of the time, this issue is easily fixable The most common reason the gear selector may be stuck is because one of the cable ends has snapped off or become uncoupled from the lever itself The mechanic can repair this within a couple of minutes In some instances, the bushings on the gear selector may be damaged or worn Rubber covers are positioned around the points of articulation of the gear system in order to make it more fluid They perform the same function to cartilage in your knees, so it's crucial that they remain healthy and supple It's not unusual for them to degrade in time, but there are some things you can do to prolong their life It is best to avoid the gear selection in very cold weather This is because the gear control cables are often prone to freezing and cracking You should also replace the bushings with high quality ones, like the ones from First Line These bushings are an essential part of your gear selector and should not be ignored If you notice yours is damaged you must visit an auto repair shop that specializes Land Rover repairs These experts can help find the right parts to fix the gear selection system They can also provide you with a range of other services, such as maintenance and service for your transmission Dead battery If you turn your key into the ignition but you don't hear anything but a click, then your battery is dead Most batteries last between three and five years, and as they age, they go through an natural process that causes them to die prematurely This is due to the negative plates of the battery of your car will begin to be coated with sulfate crystals A dead battery can cause your vehicle to lose power, which can cause the radio to stop working or electric window malfunctioning If you have been having trouble starting your car in cold weather, this could be a sign you need an upgrade to your battery It's possible that the issue is not due to an unresponsive battery but an issue with the charging system A mechanic's check to ensure that the serpentine belt, alternator and battery cables are working correctly can resolve this issue Another type of key repair for automotive vehicles is the key fob that isn't working properly The key fob connects to your vehicle's computer and relays signals as well as commands between the engine and accessory systems The system could become confused or stop communicating with your car if it is exposed to extreme temperatures or is wet Follow the directions in the owner's guide to reset a lost keyfob Depending on the vehicle it could involve opening and closing the doors, turning off lights and other electronic devices on and off by pressing a particular sequence of buttons If this doesn't fix your fob it may require professional programming, which will require the services of a technician But it's still worth attempting these steps before you decide to pay for a new device Ignition socket Modern car keys are fitted with a transponder that when it is inserted into the ignition, sends out the signal The signal informs the immobilizer on the car whether the key is the correct one for it to start In the 1990s theft of cars became such an issue that the majority of manufacturers fitted this transponder security device in their vehicles to ensure safety and insurance purposes If you own a brand new vehicle, the only option to replace your keys is at the dealership or directly with the manufacturer Before you go there note down the VIN number of your vehicle vehicle identification number This number is usually found on the front of the dashboard, door jamb, or in your owner's manual Bring your current key with you to a participating AutoZone store and an associate will employ an instrument to trace the contours of your blank key to accurately replicate the original key They will then cut the new key using an exact cutting machine in-store If https//jiang-martensmdwritenet/a-step-by-step-guide-for-repair-key-fob have is a blade-style or key fob or has a large grey or black head on it, it'll need to be programmed to your specific vehicle before it can be used to start the engine