Key broken off in car lock? Discover your 9 solutions
You put your key in your car lock and crack … Broken off, now what? It is an annoying situation that occurs with some regularity. There is no need to smash windows or damage your car. Breaking a car lock is not an option either, the solution is very simple!
Did your car key break off and suddenly appear to be in the lock? Annoying. This is just one hurdle that is easy for you to overcome. The problem is so solved! You are looking for a solution and you will discover it in this article. We have listed a large number of frequently discussed solutions – with their pros and cons – for you.
Questions or Request a Quote? Email your question to info@slotenmaker365-amsterdam.nl. You will receive a response within 4 hours. Our prices are according to our terms and conditions.
In this article, we discuss the following tips:
- Glue
- Pincers
- A key remover
- Drilling out of the lock
- Take out your cylinder
- Pushing out of the lock
- Magnet
- Jigsaw
- Locksmith
Removing a broken key from car lock: just like that!
No worries. There is always a solution at hand, including experienced locksmiths. Our locksmiths are on site within 30 minutes and will repair your lock completely damage-free. At Locksmith 365, we are available to you 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
Does your car lock seem broken? In recent years, we have removed keys from locks of brands including: Skoda, Porsche, Dacia, Audi, Chevrolet, Citroën, Toyota, Peugeot, Nissan, Opel, Renault, Fiat, BMW, Dacia, Alfa Romeo, Nissan, Saab, Volvo, Volkswagen, Mercedes and so on.
All the different construction years and models we are familiar with. You can come to us with everything related to auto locks.
We open, replace, repair all types of locks effortlessly and easily. Of course, this is also taken care of 100% damage-free.
Is your key broken off in car lock? And aren’t quite sure you can fix it yourself? Call your locksmith and it will all be neatly taken care of.
Questions or Request a Quote? Email your question to info@slotenmaker365-amsterdam.nl. You will receive a response within 4 hours. Our prices are according to our terms and conditions.
Remove your key from the lock with glue
Removing a broken key from car locks is very easy to do yourself. On all kinds of online forums, we came across a huge variety of solutions, including glue. We came across the tips below, among others:
“Small drop to the broken part and hold it against the broken part for a while to dry and carefully pull everything out. Especially do not put too much glue on the key, then you run the risk of gluing other pallets and springs as well. A little is enough.”
“Remember to apply a very thin layer of glue to the broken part, then insert that into the lock and press down well. This can result in the broken piece adhering to the other part and coming back with it. But as said, very thin because with too much glue the lock sticks.”
“Then put a small drop of superglue (preferably gel) on the pin and push it CAUTIONALLY against the key for a moment (blowing is allowed,gently, moist air promotes adhesion). When the glue is dry, remove the pin with the key. Get your spare key: have one made and you can go again.”
Questions or Request a Quote? Email your question to info@slotenmaker365-amsterdam.nl. You will receive a response within 4 hours. Our prices are according to our terms and conditions.
Removing a broken key from cylinder with pincers
Is your car key broken off and a piece is still in the lock? This is annoying, but certainly not insurmountable. There are many possible solutions, including the use of pincers. How this works we discovered on various forums:
“Spray a lot of lubricating oil into it. Then, with a pair of pliers, you can pull the key out like this by the bit that’s still sticking out.”
“If you do want to first try to prise the key out of your lock yourself, the best way to do this is to try using a simple pair of pincers. In many cases, the broken-off piece of the key still protrudes a small part from the lock.”
Questions or Request a Quote? Email your question to info@slotenmaker365-amsterdam.nl. You will receive a response within 4 hours. Our prices are according to our terms and conditions.
Removing a broken key from ignition switch with key remover
Fortunately, there is also a special tool available that allows you to remove the key from the lock. This is also called a key remover. On the worldwide web we came across several forums discussing the use of the key remover (also called lock picking):
“So lockpicking, in addition to being incredibly fun, is also sometimes very useful.”
“I personally find it incredibly unfortunate that lockpicking is often directly associated with crime. In my opinion, lockpicking is nothing more than an honest open attitude towards security.”
“I can imagine that many people will find lockpicking very fun. After all, it goes one step further than a puzzle on paper … now you have to use your hands (and fingerspitzengefühl) in addition to your brain.”
Questions or Request a Quote? Email your question to info@slotenmaker365-amsterdam.nl. You will receive a response within 4 hours. Our prices are according to our terms and conditions.
Drilling a broken key out of your cylinder
All you need in this situation is a drill. Be aware, however, that this is a somewhat professional solution. Drilling is a skill for many people. The Internet provides us with many forums where this solution was discussed:
“I would try to use a thin drill bit to drill a hole in the key so you can grab the key with a thin screw.”
“Use the mini drill: drill a hole at an angle into the key piece (0.8mm), push piece of spring steel into the hole (also 0.8mm), bend slightly and pull it out.”
“Using a very thin drill bit, drill into the thickest part of the key and then (with the drill bit) pull the key out. Works, I think, only if key is in straight position, i.e., not half-turned.”
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Remove the cylinder from the lock
This may sound a bit rigorous and invasive, but it is a common solution in the Netherlands. This solution is also often discussed on the Internet:
“To repair tinkering, it may then be necessary to drill out the cylinder(more material and labor hours)”
“ls the key in the lock is broken off it is worthwhile to remove the cylinder from the door, this is done by loosening the screw with which the cylinder is mounted, then with a small screwdriver turn the key position until you can take the cylinder out, then turn the key to the starting position and if necessary put some penetrating oil in the lock now you can by carefully knocking with the side with the broken key under against an object until the key comes out a little, this you can then remove with pliers from the cylinder everything back together and lock the door again with the spare key.”
Questions or Request a Quote? Email your question to info@slotenmaker365-amsterdam.nl. You will receive a response within 4 hours. Our prices are according to our terms and conditions.
Push your broken car key out of the lock
The moment your key is broken in the lock, it is possible to push your broken out. Many solutions can also be found on the Internet, and this one is one of them:
“Bend over the end of a piece of very thin welding wire. Push the welding wire through a slot on the side of the lock. Try to get under the broken key by twisting with the hook. Gently pull the welding wire and hopefully the key will come out.”
“With a thin nail file. (If possible) gently stick file next to it, and push against the broken part. While pushing, pull the file up. There is a chance that the broken-off part will come with it.”
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Car key broken off in lock? Use a magnet
The key can be pulled out with a magnet. A magnet works for materials iron, nickel and cobalt. It sounds so simple, but is it? All kinds of forums on the Internet gave us clear answers:
“You can always try using a magnet to get the key out.”
“If you try it with a magnet… Put that magnet on the leftover key and stick it in the lock.”
Questions or Request a Quote? Email your question to info@slotenmaker365-amsterdam.nl. You will receive a response within 4 hours. Our prices are according to our terms and conditions.
Key broken off in ignition switch. Solution = jigsaw
Imagine this: you are sitting in your car and crack … your key has broken off in your ignition switch. How do you get the car running now? Did you already know that a scroll saw is one of the options? Several forums on the Internet discussed the jigsaw solution:
“With a small jigsaw it works! Slide the saw blade with the teeth facing yourself next to the key and gently pull it back with key.”
“Often you can use a jigsaw broken in half to get the remaining key out. Try (with the prongs facing upward/upward) to hook the jigsaw behind a curve on the key and you can pull it out. Make sure it doesn’t “lean” on the steering lock blocker, though.”
“Give it a try with a scroll saw blade. On one side, file the smooth side of the saw blade at an angle so that you can easily insert it into the lock, and with any luck, the teeth of the saw blade will act like barbs and you’ll pull out the remaining part of the key in no time.”
Questions or Request a Quote? Email your question to info@slotenmaker365-amsterdam.nl. You will receive a response within 4 hours. Our prices are according to our terms and conditions.
Calling a locksmith
Does your ignition lock seem broken, but simply your key has broken off in car lock? In some cases, all the solutions mentioned are not satisfactory. A real expert should be involved in this case. This often comes in the form of an experienced locksmith. On the Internet, we came across many forums discussing the locksmith:
“You can try, but I doubt I can do it better than a professional locksmith.”
“Have you already asked a locksmith who might be able to help you.”
“With limited knowledge, you can get a locksmith to come.”
“If you can’t pull the key out with fine tweezers or wire, there will be nothing to do but have a locksmith come in.”
Questions or Request a Quote? Email your question to info@slotenmaker365-amsterdam.nl. You will receive a response within 4 hours. Our prices are according to our terms and conditions.
