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How to Do a Broken Car Key Repair You're headed to work, in a hurry, and jam your keys in the ignition. You try to turn the key, but it snaps in the lock. There are some things you can do to solve the issue before calling an experienced locksmith. Here are some quick solutions: 1. key fob repair service . Call a Locksmith One of the worst things that can happen to the owner of a car is a broken key in a lock. This is particularly aggravating if the driver is trying to get somewhere, or to drop off an infant. In this scenario, you should act quickly to try to remove the stuck key. It is recommended to call an experienced locksmith for this job as they can use the right tools to remove the broken key and not harm the lock. A lot of people look around in their vehicle for something thin and rigid like a paperclip or toothpick, but these typically won't work since it's too thick to enter the lock. The best option is to use a pair tweezers. They are thin and can easily reach into the lock. They should also be strong enough to grasp the broken part of the key and pull it out. If you don't own tweezers then it may be worth trying to locate key extractors which are typically found in auto parts stores. They are thin, flat and have hooks that are small. They can be inserted in the keyhole and grab the broken part of the key. A magnetic key hook can be used to stick to the metal of the lock, and then pull it out. This is not always the best option since it could be caught under the lock and cause further damage. In this instance it is recommended to contact an experienced locksmith. Some people try to glue together the two pieces of a damaged car key with superglue in order to remove it from the lock. However, this is very risky as the bits of metal could stick to one another and break apart again later on. It is also important not to turn the key, because this could cause damage to the lock or the ignition cylinder. Get a locksmith professional to repair the broken key immediately. 2. Drill a hole Even with a spare key, you may not be able to access your vehicle if a key breaks inside the lock. In these situations drilling out the lock is the most effective option. First, you need to ensure that the key hole is set up to accept a basic tumbler car key. If it isn't, you won't be able to remove the pins without damaging the door and possibly destroying the internal lock mechanism. It is important to keep in mind that you'll drill through the outer layer of plastic as well as an inner layer of metal. A small drill bit will suffice to penetrate these layers, but you must be sure to not go further than this. In the event of drilling too deep, it could cause damage to the wiring harness or cause the drill to become stuck. Wearing a mask or other protective gear is also recommended when using drills. This will keep the dust and dirt from entering your lungs. It is also a good idea to have a pair of pliers and tweezers available in case the damaged key is sticking out of the lock. If there is enough of the key sticking out to be able to grasp with tweezers or pliers, this could suffice to pull it out of the lock. If not you'll need to use a tool such as this one to wedge the tool into the lock, and then turn it toward the key to grasp it and remove it from the hole. 3. Drill a nail You may be left in limbo if you break your key in half. There are fortunately several ways to fix it, without having to pay for a locksmith. The first step is to use screws or nails. They are available at home or in a hardware store. It is best to choose the nail that is as thin and as long as possible. This way, you can place it into the hole and then use epoxy to join the two parts together. Make sure that the nail's back is flat. This will allow it to fit into the slot cut in the key. This will stop it from moving, and could even prevent it from breaking again in future. 4. Super Glue A lot of motorists make use of DIY tricks such as using super glue to try and fix a broken car key, however this is not a safe option to make. You could end up ruining the lock and have to pay more for finding a replacement at the dealership or locksmith. First, examine the broken keys and make sure that they are in terms of size. This is vital to ensure that the glued pieces will be aligned properly and the key will fit into the lock after they are bonded together. After that, use a piece of fine-grit sandpaper or a metal file to smooth the edges on the broken pieces of the key. This will help the glue bond better and lessen the risk of a loose key in the future. After you have polished the edges of the broken key and polished them, apply a small amount super glue to one of the ends. Use only a small amount of super glue, since too much could make the key too thick. It will then be difficult to fit into the lock. Then, you can carefully align the two pieces of the key and press them together. After a few moments the glue will begin to set and join together the key fragments. A bobby-pin or paperclip can also be used to remove a broken key from the lock. They can be cut like a pick and inserted into the lock. This technique is especially helpful when the damage is close to or inside the keyway or lock hole. Another important point to keep in mind is that if the broken car key has electronic components that require the cutting of a new key from the dealer or a professional locksmith. This is because the key will have to be programmed with a brand new code and the key chip needs to be replaced. If only the metal or shell of the key fails, you will need to have a new cut. You won't need to reprogramme or replace the electronics.