HELP my car key has snapped!!!

Banana23
Banana23 Posts: 198 Forumite
in Motoring
angry017.gif Arrrgghh, I drove to my friends this eve, got out of the car and as I wanted to lock the car I looked at my key. Only half of it was left!!! [URL="http://www.freesmileys.org]"][/url]shocked025.gif

Boohoo. So off I went looking for the other half (of the key that is). Didn't find anything. My friend then just took the remaining half and put it into the ignition and voila, it worked. The car started. That's the good bit.
The bad bit is I haven't got a spare key so have to leave the car on the road tonight, unlocked. Also, other half is obviously still in there.

So my questions are:

1.Do I need to get a locksmith that specialises in car locks or would a car specific garage be able to remove it?

2. Is all the garage needs the chassis number in order to create a copy of the key?

laughing024.gif The whole thing would actually be quite funny if I wouldn't have to spend a fortune to sort this mess out....:eek:

Comments

  • anewman
    anewman Posts: 9,200 Forumite
    First Anniversary Combo Breaker First Post
    2. depends on the car model and brand.

    Remember it may be cheaper/more convenient to just replace all the locks and have a new set of keys. There may even be a set cheap on ebay.

    If you can get a key cut from chassis number the cheapest option is to use snapped key for ignition and new key for doors.
  • pulliptears
    pulliptears Posts: 14,575 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Post First Anniversary Photogenic
    Happened to me many moons ago in my little old Metro, I was starting it with an old 5p piece for a month.

    Nothing like security lol. Besides, nobody would have been daft enough to steal a clapped out bright yellow metro!

    From memory I replaced the ignition barrel and locks from the scrappy.
  • Banana23
    Banana23 Posts: 198 Forumite
    anewman wrote: »
    2. depends on the car model and brand.

    Remember it may be cheaper/more convenient to just replace all the locks and have a new set of keys. There may even be a set cheap on ebay.

    If you can get a key cut from chassis number the cheapest option is to use snapped key for ignition and new key for doors.

    Yep, that's what I was thinking of doing. Just getting a key cut in order to lock it. The other thing is, I'm partly to blame cause the same thing happened to me about 1 1/2 years ago DOH. Luckily last time the remainding peace wasn't stuck in the ignition though...But they, my own fault for not at least getting a spare key.

    I do remember though, last time it took god knows how many attempts (and it took ages) to cut the number from the chassis. I can't remember exactly how they explained it but said there was a mistake in the chassis in the registration doc. (At that point I didn't take my car in so they couldn't double check the chassis on the car).
  • Conor_3
    Conor_3 Posts: 6,944 Forumite
    It's sometimes possible to put a dab of superglue on the broken off bit, shove it back in the barrel and be able to drag out the rest of the key.
  • Banana23
    Banana23 Posts: 198 Forumite
    Now I know what happened last time, there was a lock change done by the previous owner but that wasn't documented. So nobody can cut a key from the old chassis :mad:
    Anyways, phoned around for a second hand barrell (incl. key) but none of the car brakers had any....

    So I'll go back to the garage where my mate will at least give me a discount for the a new barrell and the labour. But he won't have the part before Friday, so that means another 2 nights with the car being unlocked at night :confused:
  • tawecdl
    tawecdl Posts: 1,095 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    My key snapped once. I weny to a key cutting shop and they managed to cut a decent enough copy from the 2 parts. Worth a try.
    :j
  • Banana23
    Banana23 Posts: 198 Forumite
    tawecdl wrote: »
    My key snapped once. I weny to a key cutting shop and they managed to cut a decent enough copy from the 2 parts. Worth a try.


    I know sorry, forgot to mention that, last time I was able to get a copy cut but back then I had both parts ;) Now the other half is stuck in the ignition, nobody can copy-cut it ...
  • cyclonebri1
    cyclonebri1 Posts: 12,827 Forumite
    Conor wrote: »
    It's sometimes possible to put a dab of superglue on the broken off bit, shove it back in the barrel and be able to drag out the rest of the key.


    Bang on Coner, it's an outside chance and it does have to be the minutest dab of superglue, but it's worked for me too.

    Its also the first thing a locksmith would do, before the micro pliers and then brute force:eek: ;)
    I like the thanks button, but ,please, an I agree button.

    Will the grammar and spelling police respect I do make grammatical errors, and have carp spelling, no need to remind me.;)

    Always expect the unexpected:eek:and then you won't be dissapointed
  • Banana23
    Banana23 Posts: 198 Forumite
    cyclonebri1 wrote: »
    Bang on Coner, it's an outside chance and it does have to be the minutest dab of superglue, but it's worked for me too.

    Its also the first thing a locksmith would do, before the micro pliers and then brute force:eek: ;)

    Hmm worth considering. The thing that puts me off though is what is if the 'minute' dab of superglue is too much and it sticks to the barrel or leaves residue...and then I'll mess it up entirely...so far I'll only have to exchange the barrel on the drivers door and I don't wanna be having to change the ignition barrel as well you see. Anyhow, I'll get the new part barrel incl. key plus labour done by the garage for £55. Can't really complain about that can I.
    And work was nice and let me put my car on the premises which are secured and locked at night and borrow the company car till it's fixed.:T So, I'll think I'm sorted. Thanks for the tips y'all.
  • Banana23
    Banana23 Posts: 198 Forumite
    Oh dear...the saga continues....you won't believe it but the guy who drove my car onto the premises last night put the steering lock on :angry:

    Tried everything to get it started and unlock steering lock (nail file etc). Forget it. Garage said it's really expensive to get new ignition barrell too. Phoned around yesterday anyway, no braker had one...Called breakdown man out. He was really good, removed sheer bolts and unlocked it. Then removed the barrel with the rest of the key still in it. At least I can still drive me car by just using the bit of the other key or in fact any item slim enough to fit in to the slot.

    Breakdown man said that specialised car locksmiths have a device to get the broken piece out of the barrel. Then at least he could cut a copy.
    Well, if that works I'll be pleased cause I tell ya, to get two new barrells plus labour costs me more than the car is actually worth :eek:
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