Automotive Lock Service

In this day and age, many people will turn to the internet each time they will have an issue with their vehicle trying to find a solution and the process for doing it themselves. There are many posts online that will direct you to fix almost anything in a vehicle. One of the things many people would look into is automotive lock repair. Although many articles would seem informative enough to make you think you can do it yourself, there might be more to it than what it seem. One of the first steps that would be mentioned on the way to get to an automotive lock on the door is taking the door panel off. Sound like a simple task, but if not careful or use the recommended tools, you can cause an irreversible damage.

At the end it might cost you more than what the service would have cost you in the first place using a professional locksmith who has the experience and the right tools for the job. Instead of wasting hours searching online how to take apart and fix a lock on your vehicle, not to mention gathering the necessary parts and tools, most professional locksmith technicians will be able to do the job in a timely manner on the spot.

Broken key is one of the common problems that can happen while trying to unlock your vehicle or even while starting it from the ignition switch. Even for a broken key piece that got stuck inside a door lock or ignition cylinder, there will be information online of how to remove it. The problem is most of the information you will find online will suggest the use of tools that can be found around your home which may cause even more damage to the lock than what already been caused by the broken key inside it. In this case, a locksmith technician will not only have the job of extract the broken piece, but also repair the damaged caused while you tried extracting it yourself.

If you care about your vehicle, and you want things to be done right the first time when an issue occur, call a professional locksmith who has the necessary skills and tools to get the job done properly. It may cost a few extra dollars, but in the long run it will save you time and money from the thought of attempting doing it yourself.

For more information about automotive lock repair services, visit Premier NorthWest Locksmith Seattle.

Automotive Re-key Service

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Acura Key Origination

Most of the times, cutting a key for a vehicle should not be an issue for the average locksmith technician. For most of the older model vehicles that were manufactured prior to the mid 90's, a code would need to be retrieved from one of the cylinder locks of the vehicle in order to make a key. However, on most vehicles that were manufactured late 90's early 00's a code can be retrieved from a database in exchange of a small fee. The story for making a key does not end there. Figuring out the correct blank to be used for a vehicle is another integral part of the process. Normally, a locksmith technician will check the manual for the correct blank to be used for a particular vehicle, but what are the chances that the manual would have wrong information?

I remember getting a call few years ago from a customer who needed a key made for his 97 Acura CL. Back then, I had experience making keys mostly for GM's and Fords, but not Honda's/Acura's. I didn't think it would be much different, so I accepted the job and took the customer's information. Before heading my way, I quickly checked the manual to make sure I had the correct blank in stock so I could make the key for that vehicle.

Once I got to the customer's location, I had to figure out first what was the best way to get the code so I could originate the key. The manual called for either the door lock or ignition cylinder. For me it was always easier going through the door lock for the code and that is what I did. After working on the door panel a while, I finally got to the door lock and was able to read the code. Next step was making the key using my mobile cutting machine.

After finishing making the key, I went ahead to test it. At first, it seem to work perfectly fine being inserted to the ignition cylinder smoothly and starting the vehicle. However, when I came to switch the key to the lock position and remove it, the key refused to come out. At the beginning, I thought it could be an issue with one of the ignition cylinder components, but after questioning the customer if he ever experienced any issues with it (which he didn't), I was quick to dismiss the thought.

Since now I had 2 issues on hand, a need for a working key and the key that was stuck, I decided to call a Seattle locksmith co-worker of mine to see if he had any insights regarding that particular vehicle. According to my co-worker, the info that was on my manual regrading the blank for that vehicle was wrong. The reason the key I made caused the issue was because it was shorter than the correct blank that should have been used for that vehicle. He then gave me the correct blank number, so I could make a new key.

First thing I had to do, was remove the key I previously made which required some modification to the shoulder of the key which allowed me to further insert the key in order to remove it. I then made a new key using the correct blank which luckily I had in stock and it tested successfully.

Ignition Broken Key Extraction

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GM Key Impressioning

Originating an automotive key can be a simple task most of the time. There are many methods available for getting the right cuts to make a key such as getting the code stamped on one of the locks or ignition switch, or just by getting the code from an automotive locksmith database which cost money. Impressioning an automotive key is one of the older methods of originating a key and can be difficult at times for the average locksmith technician. However there will be times where it will be necessary using this method.

I got a call the other day to make a new key for the ignition of a 1988 Camaro. The customer said the vehicle was mostly riven during the summer time, but he hasn't driven it in a couple of years and misplaced the keys to it. Since I knew it wasn't a GM vehicle that incorporated a VATS system ignition, I knew it won't be hard making a new key for it. I took the customer info and started heading his way.

Once I got to the customer's home, I went over my automotive guide for the best way in getting the codes to make a key for this vehicle. It seemed that I had to take apart the ignition switch since the key to the ignition switch was different than the key to the door and trunk lock. When I went to my van to get the steering wheel puller (as it is needed in order to get the ignition switch out on these vehicles), I could not find it. At that point I figured my best choice would be to impression the cuts and make a key.

I then grabbed a GM key blank from my van and as I started to insert him in order to get the marks for the cuts, I noticed it did not want to get in all the way. After couple of minutes of trying, I decided to call a co-worker of mine who had more experience impressioning an automotive key than I. After getting him on the phone, he said that the 5th and 6th position wafers are much deeper which prevented me fully inserting the blank. He then suggested to gently file a little from the tip of the key which inturn will allow me to fully insert the blank and get the marks I needed to make the key. Surprisingly it worked, and I was able to originate a new key for the customer in no time.

Visit these links for more information on Seattle locksmith services. | Premier NorthWest Locksmith Seattle.

Automotive Ignition Switch Repair Services

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GM Key Origination

As a locksmith technician with many years of experience behind me, I find that on most older make and model vehicles, originating a key can be a hassle at times. Depending on the type of key that need to be made, ignition keys usually require the removal of the ignition which means taking apart the steering column in order to get a code stamped on the cylinder. On some models, getting that unique code in order to make an ignition key is sometimes possible by getting it from the door lock. However, this is only apply to several older models. There will be times that in order to find an easy solution to generate a working key, a locksmith technician would need to improvise or think outside the box.

I remember a while back getting called for a job to make a new key for a 95 Camaro. According to the customer, the vehicle was a summer drive for him and after the long winter when he finally came to take the car for a drive, he couldn't find the key.  I knew that it would not be easy generating a key from scratch for this type of vehicle since not only the door lock and ignition were using to different keys, the vehicle was equipped with a VATS system which meant the ignition key had a chip in it. I decided to accept the job and drove to the customer's home.

Once I got to the customer's place, I ran a quick check for the correct VATS using the vehicle's VIN number to make sure I have a matching key in my inventory and luckily I did. Next,  I grabbed my tools and started working on the steering column in order to remove the ignition cylinder. The first thing I needed to do was disabling and remove the sir bag from the steering wheel. After doing so, I reached for my steering wheel removal kit and noticed that I didn't have the correct matching bolts in order to remove the steering wheel using the puller. At that moment I knew I was stuck since there wasn't any other way I could get the ignition cylinder out without removing the steering wheel.

I decided to give a call to a Seattle locksmith friend of mine hoping he would be in the area and would be able to come and loan me his steering wheel removal kit. When I got him on the phone, he said he was on the other side of Seattle, but he also mentioned something else. He said that some GM 94-95 models may have the depths numbers stamped on the wafers. According to him, all I needed is a good otoscope that will help me read the numbers while looking through the ignition cylinder key-way. After taking his advice, I grabbed my otoscope from the van and I was happy to find that this particular model did have the depths stamped on the waffers which allowed me to generate a new key without removing the steering wheel.

Ford Ignition Removal Tip

As a professional locksmith technician with many years of experience in the field sometimes I find replacing vehicle's ignition can be a hard task. Depending on year, make and model of the vehicle, some ignitions require the disassemble of steering column trim components. However, even when this step is done, there is still the part of taking the ignition switch out which can be a hassle by itself especially if there is no key available. In such situation, most locksmith technicians know that the ignition switch would need to be drilled or pick. With picking, it may or may not work depending on the type of ignition and the number of cuts which leaves drilling. However, in a situation when you just need to make a new key and not replace the ignition, drilling may not be a suitable solution.

I got a call the other day from a customer who lost the key to his 96 Ford F-150. Since I just got recently a new pick tool set for ignitions and was eager to try it out, I decided to accept the job and was heading to the customer's location. For some of the vehicles manufactured in the late 90's there is a code that can be purchased by giving only the vehicle's VIN number. Not only it cost significant amount of money, but most likely there wasn't a code available in the database to pull for that particular Ford model I was about to service.

Once I got to the customer's location, I went ahead and took apart the steering column trim that needed to be removed in order to reach for the ignition cylinder. The next step was picking the cylinder open, so I could remove it in order to make a new key. After 10 minutes of many attempts picking the Ford 10 cut ignition I finally gave up and decided to call a fellow Seattle locksmith of mine for advice. He mentioned I should use a small thin metal wire with a hook on the end similar to a pick tool and try to remove the wafer springs one at a time. After the springs will be out, he said I should tap the housing gently around the cylinder until it will be unlocked and available to be removed.

I must say, I was a little skeptical at first about whether this method will work or not, but to my surprise the cylinder was in my hands after only a couple of minutes working on it. Once the ignition cylinder was out, I was able to decode the wafers and make a new key followed by reloading the springs I released. This method pretty much saved the job as I did not have to drill or damage the ignition in order to remove it.

Mercedes Ignition Tip

Sometimes, as a locksmith technician when you get called for a job, it can develop to an extra job as well. I got a call the other day for a car lockout in a church. The vehicle was an early 90's Buick Regal. Apparently, the customer locked the keys inside the trunk of the vehicle. Luckily, I had a special GM pick tool that I usually use on most GM models to unlock them. Once I got the trunk of the Buick opened, the church minister informed me about an issue he had with his Mercedes that I may be able to help him with.

According to him, the problem with the Mercedes was that the key did not function well with the ignition by being inconsistent turning the ignition. However, he did mention the key was operating the doors with no issues. Since I've serviced the ignition on these Mercedes models before, I informed him that the issue was very common. Because the key is made of steel material and the wafers in the ignition are brass, the ignition tend to wear out thus the key was inconsistent operating the ignition.

Since the issue was not new for me, I let him know that I could probably be able to fix it. When I told him that, he mentioned that he went to dealer to get the problem fixed and they gave him an expensive estimate which is the reason why the car was seating for so long as he did not want to spend too much to repair the problem. I then told him since I'm not the dealer, I would probably charge him a lot less.

To begin tackle the problem, I started by decoding the vehicle's key and make a new one. However, for some reason the key didn't work. I figured it might be since the wafers in the ignition were worn out as i suspected, so I made a another key, but this time I used higher cuts. To my surprise, it didn't work as well!

Since I didn't have any other option to get the ignition cylinder out I was about to cut the face off of the ignition, so I could get to the roll pin that was holding the ignition. When I went to grab my tools, I had the GM picking tool with me and I had an idea all of a sudden. I inserted the key back in the ignition, and placed my GM vibrating picking tool against it and turned it on. As the tool was doing its thing, I used a little force turning the key and it worked! It then let me easily remove the ignition lock and put a new one instead. The customer was happy, and I was able to make pretty penny that day.

Visit the following links for more info about Seattle locksmith solutions. | Premier NorthWest Locksmith Seattle services.

Ford Ignition Fix

One of the most common problems I ran into while working on Ford ignitions during my years as a locksmith technician is when the ears on the ignition or collar will turn even when there is no key inserted into the cylinder. This problem usually caused by the fact that the color will come loose and spin around the ignition. Normally, this type of ignition problem will result in a new ignition type solution. However, I came up with a way that will save the customer some money by fixing the issue instead of replacing the ignition.

There is a product called WonderLocking which is a commercial type superglue that can be found on most hardware stores. It is usually used to repair broken furniture such as tables or chairs, but I discover it does a great job repairing the collars on the Ford ignition. The first step is obviously will be to remove the ignition from the steering column and line up the color, so it will be possible to insert a key to stabilize it. I then direct the face of the ignition down to prevent the liquid from penetrating the ignition's internals. Now putting few drops of the WonderLocking liquid on the back of the collar which goes over the ignition and that will conclude the initial repair.

It usually takes about a minute for the liquid to dry, but it is important only to use it on the areas that needs the repair. Once it dries, I test the cylinder operation with a key to make sure it is turning properly. If the ignition seem to function properly, this is the time to reassemble it back and finish the job.

Visit the following links for information about Premier NorthWest Locksmith Seattle services. | Seattle Locksmith Solutions.

280Z Key Extraction

Recently I got a job from a locksmith company I am working with for an ignition key extraction off of Nissan 280Z. The customer said that a co-worker had entered her car by mistake, inserted his key in her vehicle's ignition , turned the ignition to the ON position and resulted in the key being stuck. When I arrived at the job-site, I found out that his car was the same make, model, and color as the customer's. What are the chances?

I had experience with similar situations such as that before and came up with a trick to remove these stuck keys. The process goes like this, I used my impressioning pliers on the stuck key to lock on it and begin to "impression" the key in counter-clockwise direction. A steady turning pressure on the pliers would need to be applied while rocking the key up and down as if I was trying to obtain impression marks. With a little patient, the waffers that locked up will move just enough allowing the key to return to the "OFF" position.In all the similar situations I've been through, this little trick saved me every time. It is important to keep in mind that not to try to force the lock, but try to "impression" it.

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Buick LaSabre Trunk Key

I got a call recently from a customer to make a trunk key for an 88 Buick LaSabre. It seemed that neither the dealer or another locksmith company the customer had called, was able to originate any codes prior to 1990 models. I started to remove the glove-box lock so I could retrieve four of my six cuts and progress the other two.

I was surprised to find that the glove box lock on this vehicle had all six wafers and a side-bar. The side bar glove box lock could be recognized immediately because it does not turn with the key but slides to the left to lock and the right to unlock. Since I was lucky to find the glove box unlocked, I was able to obtain a key doing the following.

I removed the two screws that hold the entire lock mechanism in the glove box door. The front of the lock is held onto the back of the case by two pressed through, plastic clips which open in four directions. If an attempt would be made to close the clip with needle-nose pliers, the tip might break and only two of the four legs would be closed.

A solution would be to get a key blank that has a small hole in the head that will not fit down over the end of the retainer. Next step would be to slide the hole of the key over the four- pronged clip and as the legs come together, continue pushing downward until the retainer enters the back of the lock case. The same process would need to be repeated with the other three retainers.
Now the cylinder would need to be removed. Rake the wafers while depressing the slide bar, decode the cylinder and cut a new key. As the lock is reassembled, it is important to remember pulling down on the latch so you can insert the cylinder. As the lock slides back into the lock, the undamaged clips will snap back into place retaining the lock as intended.

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Automotive Key Origination in Seattle, WA

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