There’s nothing more frustrating than seeing your car key broken in half. Maybe someone was playing with it and it accidentally snapped, or you might have cracked it intentionally in a fit of rage. Whatever the reason is, having a broken key is bad news.
If you find yourself in this situation, you might ask, “What can I do?” If you are wondering how to fix a car key that broke in half, allow us to present you with step-by-step processes on the solution.
Table of Contents
Steps to Fix a Car Key Broken in Half
The most logical thing to do when your car key breaks in half is to call an expert regarding the matter. However, if you don’t have the funds and time to go to a key fixer, you can try to do this yourselves.
Keep in mind that you must have at least basic knowledge about using different tools to pull this off.
What to Prepare
- Superglue
- Drill
- Nail
- Pliers/wire cutter
Step 1: Drill a Hole in The Broken Parts
If your key breaks in half, the first thing you need to do is to drill a hole in the broken end of both parts. This process will allow you to attach a small connector, so you can reconnect the two parts. Choosing the right drill bit is key in this process, and the perfect choice is the smallest bit.
Keep in mind that this process cannot be repeated, so be very careful with how you drill this part. If you commit mistakes, then maybe it’s time to consider other options.
Step 2: Cut a Small Nail
Using your pliers or a strong wire cutter, trim a small nail to the correct length, enough to link the broken ends of the key.
You need this nail as a connector, so it shouldn’t be a long one. You should also pick thin nails to get the job done, since anything bigger than a finishing fastener may not fit the hole.
Step 3: Put a Small Amount of Superglue on the Holes
Once you have the essential parts, the next thing to do is to put them all together with super glue. The idea behind this process is to put glue on the holes so that when you push the nail inside them, the broken sections will be mended together.
Step 4: Push the Nail In
Put the needle inside one hole and immediately connect it to the other key piece. You need to act quickly, so the super glue will not dry out and you can repair broken key. However, you must remember that this is a temporary fix.
Step 5: Wait for the Glue to Dry
The final step would be to wait for the glue to dry. By following these steps, you would have successfully performed a DIY broken key repair if you don’t have time or ample funds for a professional service.
Alternative Solutions to Fix a Car Key That Snapped in Half
The process discussed above only covers a specific way your car keys break in half. There are multiple instances of a snapped car key that you might find yourselves dealing with. Here are other solutions to these scenarios:
1. The Car Key Broke off in Ignition
Getting a broken key piece stuck inside the ignition or any lock, for that matter, is the worst-case scenario. If your car key broke in ignition, here are some of the options you have:
- Use super glue – By placing a small dab of super glue at the end of the broken car key and connecting it to something that can serve as a handle, you will be able to pull your car keys out. Remember to let the glue rest for a while, so it will harden.
- Take the lock off – If your car key snapped in half no spare inside the ignition, you can also try to take the whole lock off. You must have basic knowledge of the lock’s structure to pull this off, but getting the key out is guaranteed with this method.
- Take the key off with a drill – If the previous two solutions didn’t get broken key out of car door, it’s time to consider using a drill to do the job. However, this should serve as a last-ditch attempt. Just drill the broken end and slowly pull it out once it’s attached to the drill bit.
Note: If you’re wondering whether you can start a car with broken key in ignition, you can.
Try inserting a screwdriver into the ignition to turn it or jumpstart the car battery using another vehicle. However, this should only be a temporary solution used for emergencies and not to be used regularly.
2. Duplicate the Broken Key
If you have the funds and time, you can opt to copy a broken key. You need to go to places that fix car keys for this, like locksmiths. If you still have both pieces, you can try to pull them out before going to your local locksmith.
Causes of Your Car Keys Breaking and Tips to Prevent Them From Happening
Like everything we own, our keys are bound to be damaged when not properly taken care of. Car keys are especially delicate, since they are thin pieces of steel that can be bent or broken if enough force is applied.
Here are some of the causes of your car keys breaking:
- Wear and tear – We use our cars every day, so our keys are bound to suffer damage over time. If you tend to pull your keys roughly, start wiggling them gently instead.
- Lack of lubrication – Keys need proper lubrication to slide into locks effortlessly. Lubricants such as powdered graphite and pencil will do the trick. If you don’t have these materials, use silicone-based lubricants to get the job done.
If you’re worried about your keys breaking, getting duplicates or replacement keys will help you in the long run. All you have to do is store them in a safe place.
When is It Necessary to Replace a Broken Car Key?
To cut the story short, the reason why replacing a broken key is necessary is because you can’t access your car door or ignition without it. If you only own a single set of car keys and one of them breaks, that will pose a huge problem for you.
You may not be able to get in car door or jumpstart the ignition, which means your work or travel will help to wait. Things are easier if you only need to fix broken key head, but if the shank or blade is broken and you don’t have a replacement, there’s no other choice but to seek professional help.
Lucky for you, going to a local locksmith and getting a replacement will only cost about $50-$500, depending on the type of key. Compare this to the headache of having to deal with a vehicle that can’t start, and the best option is already apparent.
FAQs
Where to get a broken car key fixed?
The best place to go if your car key breaks in half is the locksmith or dealership. Things like your keys breaking in half, damage to their parts, and paying to recut a broken key are all solvable.
How much does it cost to fix my car key?
You have different options for car key repair, but it’s better to prepare an amount between $50-$500. Each locksmith has different rates, which are dictated by the complexity of the work and the quality of the replacement keys.
The best thing to do before going to any of these services is to research ahead of time to see which one suits your budget.
Conclusion
Having your car keys break in half poses a huge problem, especially if you use your car every day. However, whether your car keys break in door lock or if you need to get it off fob, one of the solutions discussed in this article will get the job done.
Now that we’ve tackled how to fix a car key that broke in half, all that’s left for you to do is try one of these solutions and see what works out.
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