Back on the Road Auto Locksmith
Need help? Call now:
01234 567890
Need help? Call now:
01234 567890
Keys
I offer a comprehensive range of key-related services. These include: Spare Key Programming, ‘All Keys Lost’ Programming, EEPROM (circuit board) Programming, Key Fob Replacements, Key-Deletion and Blade Cutting.
If you’re unsure as to whether I cover the service you require, please feel free to give me a call on 01234 567890, or fill out the Contact Form.
Keys
I offer a comprehensive range of key-related services. These include: Spare Key Programming, ‘All Keys Lost’ Programming, EEPROM (circuit board) Programming, Key Fob Replacements, Key-Deletion and Blade Cutting.
If you’re unsure as to whether I cover the service you require, please feel free to give me a call on 01234 567890, or fill out the Contact Form.
Sending your keys for a ride in the washing machine is the main cause of water damage in car keys in my experience. A lot of people find out they’ve done this and straight away go to check if it still works, but this is the worst thing you can do.
A key is made up of a transponder, and a circuit board (powered by the battery). Your buttons are connected to the circuit board, so when you press them you’re just sinking water deeper into the circuit board. Never try to start the engine either.
The best thing you can do if you’re in this situation is to immediately pry open your key. A lot of keys don’t just slot together though, so prying it open will permanently break it – you’ll have to use silicone to put it back together.
After prying the key apart, you MUST take the battery out to prevent any short circuits. Short circuits can fry the circuit board altogether. Next thing is to get isopropyl alcohol and clean the board. Washing machine water is worse than plain water since the detergent leaves behind a conductive residue.
Once the board is clean, let it dry for at least 48 hours. Most OEM keys have the transponder attached to the circuit board so during this time you’re allowing that to dry out fully too. Once this time frame has elapsed, put the circuit board back in the key shell along with a new battery. If you don’t know what battery you need, read the front of your old one since that will say something like ‘CR2032’, just as an example. Silicone the edge of your key and try to stick it back together.
Whilst this is the process you should follow should you find yourself in this situation, its quite often a temporary fix anyway. You may find the key will work intermittently, maybe you can’t afford to wait 48 hours before using it again, or maybe the key will start falling apart shortly afterwards. If your key has gotten particularly wet, it is often advised to bite the bullet and get a new key programmed. Feel free to get in touch with Back on the Road Auto Locksmith Ltd by clicking here if this is something you’re interested in.
If your key won’t start your car engine, it can be quite a difficult problem to diagnose since modern day cars are so complex.
If this is happening to you, to find out whether the problem is key-related or not, the easiest way is to break the problem down. A modern day car key is made up of three main components: 1) Blade 2) Circuit Board & Battery 3) Transponder. If you have a bladed ignition, if the blade goes in and turns the ignition, the blade won’t be the problem. The circuit board and battery categorically won’t be the problem since these only operate the buttons. This means the only thing that can be preventing the engine from starting that is key related, is the transponder. The best way of knowing whether this still works is to get an auto locksmith like Back on the Road Auto Locksmith out to run signal testing on the transponder since this does require a specialised device. It involves running tests on the transponder and ignition coil.
If you have a proximity/smart key (no bladed ignition), it could be a faulty transponder, but also a faulty battery. A particularly weak or dead battery will prevent transmission of radio waves between the key and car. If you’ve replaced the battery and the problem persists, its definitely recommended to call an auto locksmith. To get in touch with BOTR, click here.
Regardless of what key you’ve got, if the transponder is at fault, the most efficient solution is to get a new one programmed. Again, this does require an auto locksmith with specialised tools. If the key isn’t the problem, diagnostic equipment will be needed to run various tests on your vehicle to source the issue.
If you have a Mercedes, your key works differently. It communicates with the immobilizer via an infra-red signal, and sometimes something can block these signals from transmitting efficiently.
Staying on the topic of Mercedes, if your key is turning but engine isn’t starting, very often the problem here lies either in the key or the EIS (Electronic Ignition Switch). It would be advised to call an auto locksmith about this since the solutions can be very complex. If your Mercedes key won’t even turn in the ignition, then this is very often a steering lock failure, which can be an even more complex fix.
Keys
I offer a comprehensive range of key-related services. These include: Spare Key Programming, ‘All Keys Lost’ Programming, EEPROM (circuit board) Programming, Key Fob Replacements, Key-Deletion and Blade Cutting.
If you’re unsure as to whether I cover the service you require, please feel free to give me a call on 01234 567890, or fill out the Contact Form.
Sending your keys for a ride in the washing machine is the main cause of water damage in car keys in my experience. A lot of people find out they’ve done this and straight away go to check if it still works, but this is the worst thing you can do.
A key is made up of a transponder, and a circuit board (powered by the battery). Your buttons are connected to the circuit board, so when you press them you’re just sinking water deeper into the circuit board. Never try to start the engine either.
The best thing you can do if you’re in this situation is to immediately pry open your key. A lot of keys don’t just slot together though, so prying it open will permanently break it – you’ll have to use silicone to put it back together.
After prying the key apart, you MUST take the battery out to prevent any short circuits. Short circuits can fry the circuit board altogether. Next thing is to get isopropyl alcohol and clean the board. Washing machine water is worse than plain water since the detergent leaves behind a conductive residue.
Once the board is clean, let it dry for at least 48 hours. Most OEM keys have the transponder attached to the circuit board so during this time you’re allowing that to dry out fully too. Once this time frame has elapsed, put the circuit board back in the key shell along with a new battery. If you don’t know what battery you need, read the front of your old one since that will say something like ‘CR2032’, just as an example. Silicone the edge of your key and try to stick it back together.
Whilst this is the process you should follow should you find yourself in this situation, its quite often a temporary fix anyway. You may find the key will work intermittently, maybe you can’t afford to wait 48 hours before using it again, or maybe the key will start falling apart shortly afterwards. If your key has gotten particularly wet, it is often advised to bite the bullet and get a new key programmed. Feel free to get in touch with Back on the Road Auto Locksmith Ltd by clicking here if this is something you’re interested in.
If your key won’t start your car engine, it can be quite a difficult problem to diagnose since modern day cars are so complex.
If this is happening to you, to find out whether the problem is key-related or not, the easiest way is to break the problem down. A modern day car key is made up of three main components: 1) Blade 2) Circuit Board & Battery 3) Transponder. If you have a bladed ignition, if the blade goes in and turns the ignition, the blade won’t be the problem. The circuit board and battery categorically won’t be the problem since these only operate the buttons. This means the only thing that can be preventing the engine from starting that is key related, is the transponder. The best way of knowing whether this still works is to get an auto locksmith like Back on the Road Auto Locksmith out to run signal testing on the transponder since this does require a specialised device. It involves running tests on the transponder and ignition coil.
If you have a proximity/smart key (no bladed ignition), it could be a faulty transponder, but also a faulty battery. A particularly weak or dead battery will prevent transmission of radio waves between the key and car. If you’ve replaced the battery and the problem persists, its definitely recommended to call an auto locksmith. To get in touch with BOTR, click here.
Regardless of what key you’ve got, if the transponder is at fault, the most efficient solution is to get a new one programmed. Again, this does require an auto locksmith with specialised tools. If the key isn’t the problem, diagnostic equipment will be needed to run various tests on your vehicle to source the issue.
If you have a Mercedes, your key works differently. It communicates with the immobilizer via an infra-red signal, and sometimes something can block these signals from transmitting efficiently.
Staying on the topic of Mercedes, if your key is turning but engine isn’t starting, very often the problem here lies either in the key or the EIS (Electronic Ignition Switch). It would be advised to call an auto locksmith about this since the solutions can be very complex. If your Mercedes key won’t even turn in the ignition, then this is very often a steering lock failure, which can be an even more complex fix.
Sending your keys for a ride in the washing machine is the main cause of water damage in car keys in my experience. A lot of people find out they’ve done this and straight away go to check if it still works, but this is the worst thing you can do.
A key is made up of a transponder, and a circuit board (powered by the battery). Your buttons are connected to the circuit board, so when you press them you’re just sinking water deeper into the circuit board. Never try to start the engine either.
The best thing you can do if you’re in this situation is to immediately pry open your key. A lot of keys don’t just slot together though, so prying it open will permanently break it – you’ll have to use silicone to put it back together.
After prying the key apart, you MUST take the battery out to prevent any short circuits. Short circuits can fry the circuit board altogether. Next thing is to get isopropyl alcohol and clean the board. Washing machine water is worse than plain water since the detergent leaves behind a conductive residue.
Once the board is clean, let it dry for at least 48 hours. Most OEM keys have the transponder attached to the circuit board so during this time you’re allowing that to dry out fully too. Once this time frame has elapsed, put the circuit board back in the key shell along with a new battery. If you don’t know what battery you need, read the front of your old one since that will say something like ‘CR2032’, just as an example. Silicone the edge of your key and try to stick it back together.
Whilst this is the process you should follow should you find yourself in this situation, its quite often a temporary fix anyway. You may find the key will work intermittently, maybe you can’t afford to wait 48 hours before using it again, or maybe the key will start falling apart shortly afterwards. If your key has gotten particularly wet, it is often advised to bite the bullet and get a new key programmed. Feel free to get in touch with Back on the Road Auto Locksmith Ltd by clicking here if this is something you’re interested in.
If your key won’t start your car engine, it can be quite a difficult problem to diagnose since modern day cars are so complex.
If this is happening to you, to find out whether the problem is key-related or not, the easiest way is to break the problem down. A modern day car key is made up of three main components: 1) Blade 2) Circuit Board & Battery 3) Transponder. If you have a bladed ignition, if the blade goes in and turns the ignition, the blade won’t be the problem. The circuit board and battery categorically won’t be the problem since these only operate the buttons. This means the only thing that can be preventing the engine from starting that is key related, is the transponder. The best way of knowing whether this still works is to get an auto locksmith like Back on the Road Auto Locksmith out to run signal testing on the transponder since this does require a specialised device. It involves running tests on the transponder and ignition coil.
If you have a proximity/smart key (no bladed ignition), it could be a faulty transponder, but also a faulty battery. A particularly weak or dead battery will prevent transmission of radio waves between the key and car. If you’ve replaced the battery and the problem persists, its definitely recommended to call an auto locksmith. To get in touch with BOTR, click here.
Regardless of what key you’ve got, if the transponder is at fault, the most efficient solution is to get a new one programmed. Again, this does require an auto locksmith with specialised tools. If the key isn’t the problem, diagnostic equipment will be needed to run various tests on your vehicle to source the issue.
If you have a Mercedes, your key works differently. It communicates with the immobilizer via an infra-red signal, and sometimes something can block these signals from transmitting efficiently.
Staying on the topic of Mercedes, if your key is turning but engine isn’t starting, very often the problem here lies either in the key or the EIS (Electronic Ignition Switch). It would be advised to call an auto locksmith about this since the solutions can be very complex. If your Mercedes key won’t even turn in the ignition, then this is very often a steering lock failure, which can be an even more complex fix.
Vehicle Entry
Locking your keys in the car is more common than you might think, and it can happen for a whole host of reasons. Regardless of the reason, I can definitely help.
More often than not, upon arrival at your location, the whole job will be done within 5 minutes. To get in touch, click the button below.
Vehicle Entry
Locking your keys in the car is more common than you might think, and it can happen for a whole host of reasons. Regardless of the reason, I can definitely help.
More often than not, upon arrival at your location, the whole job will be done within 5 minutes. To get in touch, click the button below.
You’ve just got out the car, shut the door and before you know it all doors are locked. There will be no way of getting back in unless you have a spare key, pick the lock, pull the interior door handle, press an unlock button on inside of driver’s door, press a central locking button, grab the keys out with a long reach device, pull up on a snib (most cars don’t have these nowadays), or if the key is in the ignition barrel (should you have one), try turning it or press the lock/unlock buttons on the key.
As you can see, there are lots of ways of gaining entry, but all of them with the exception of a spare key involve using specialised tools to prevent damage.
If you’re out and about and this happens, if you’ve tried all door handles and nothing is working, other than breaking a window, the chances are you’ll have very limited resources. Your only option is to ring someone who has access to a spare key.
Failing the above, feel free to get in touch with BOTR Auto Locksmith Ltd, who offer an entry service to almost every single car and van on Britain’s roads!
If you’re aware of your vehicle having a deadlock and are thinking of trying to get back in your vehicle yourself, the only two ways you will get in is through either a spare key, or picking the lock; this applies to auto-locksmiths too! Deadlocks completely deactivate any use of both the internal door handles and also the central locking buttons.
You’ve just got out the car, shut the door and before you know it all doors are locked. There will be no way of getting back in unless you have a spare key, pick the lock, pull the interior door handle, press an unlock button on inside of driver’s door, press a central locking button, grab the keys out with a long reach device, pull up on a snib (most cars don’t have these nowadays), or if the key is in the ignition barrel (should you have one), try turning it or press the lock/unlock buttons on the key.
As you can see, there are lots of ways of gaining entry, but all of them with the exception of a spare key involve using specialised tools to prevent damage.
If you’re out and about and this happens, if you’ve tried all door handles and nothing is working, other than breaking a window, the chances are you’ll have very limited resources. Your only option is to ring someone who has access to a spare key.
Failing the above, feel free to get in touch with BOTR Auto Locksmith Ltd, who offer an entry service to almost every single car and van on Britain’s roads!
If you’re aware of your vehicle having a deadlock and are thinking of trying to get back in your vehicle yourself, the only two ways you will get in is through either a spare key, or picking the lock; this applies to auto-locksmiths too! Deadlocks completely deactivate any use of both the internal door handles and also the central locking buttons.
Vehicle Entry
Locking your keys in the car is more common than you might think, and it can happen for a whole host of reasons. Regardless of the reason, I can definitely help.
More often than not, upon arrival at your location, the whole job will be done within 5 minutes. To get in touch, click the button below.
You’ve just got out the car, shut the door and before you know it all doors are locked. There will be no way of getting back in unless you have a spare key, pick the lock, pull the interior door handle, press an unlock button on inside of driver’s door, press a central locking button, grab the keys out with a long reach device, pull up on a snib (most cars don’t have these nowadays), or if the key is in the ignition barrel (should you have one), try turning it or press the lock/unlock buttons on the key.
As you can see, there are lots of ways of gaining entry, but all of them with the exception of a spare key involve using specialised tools to prevent damage.
If you’re out and about and this happens, if you’ve tried all door handles and nothing is working, other than breaking a window, the chances are you’ll have very limited resources. Your only option is to ring someone who has access to a spare key.
Failing the above, feel free to get in touch with BOTR Auto Locksmith Ltd, who offer an entry service to almost every single car and van on Britain’s roads!
If you’re aware of your vehicle having a deadlock and are thinking of trying to get back in your vehicle yourself, the only two ways you will get in is through either a spare key, or picking the lock; this applies to auto-locksmiths too! Deadlocks completely deactivate any use of both the internal door handles and also the central locking buttons.
Lock Repairs
I also offer a comprehensive range of car door lock repairs.
If this service sounds helpful to you, feel free to get in touch now by clicking the button below!
If your key isn’t turning inside your ignition, it could be a whole host of problems since it is a rather complex mechanism! Door locks are usually a little bit simpler to diagnose and fix.
If the door lock isn’t turning, quite often it is one of two things: Either it is severely clogged up with dirt and debris, or more commonly, there are components inside the mechanism that have broken. As a customer, the best thing you can try is lubricating your door lock. Refrain from using a wet lubricant like standard WD-40. Personally, I like to use Houdini lock lubricant, or something like GT-85 is also acceptable since it is a dry lubricant. Spray a generous amount into the barrel and work it in with the blade on your key. let it soak in for 5 minutes and try turning the lock again.
If your bladed ignition isn’t turning, whilst it could be a debris issue, it is very unlikely since it isn’t exposed to the elements like your exterior locks are. It is likely a more deep-rooted problem that would require disassembly of the entire mechanism.
Ignition & Lock Repairs
I also offer a comprehensive range of mechanical lock repairs.
If this service sounds helpful to you, feel free to get in touch now by clicking the button below!
Lock Repairs
I also offer a comprehensive range of car door lock repairs.
If this service sounds helpful to you, feel free to get in touch now by clicking the button below!
If your key isn’t turning inside your ignition, it could be a whole host of problems since it is a rather complex mechanism! Door locks are usually a little bit simpler to diagnose and fix.
If the door lock isn’t turning, quite often it is one of two things: Either it is severely clogged up with dirt and debris, or more commonly, there are components inside the mechanism that have broken. As a customer, the best thing you can try is lubricating your door lock. Refrain from using a wet lubricant like standard WD-40. Personally, I like to use Houdini lock lubricant, or something like GT-85 is also acceptable since it is a dry lubricant. Spray a generous amount into the barrel and work it in with the blade on your key. let it soak in for 5 minutes and try turning the lock again.
If your bladed ignition isn’t turning, whilst it could be a debris issue, it is very unlikely since it isn’t exposed to the elements like your exterior locks are. It is likely a more deep-rooted problem that would require disassembly of the entire mechanism.
If your key isn’t turning inside your ignition, it could be a whole host of problems since it is a rather complex mechanism! Door locks are usually a little bit simpler to diagnose and fix.
If the door lock isn’t turning, quite often it is one of two things: Either it is severely clogged up with dirt and debris, or more commonly, there are components inside the mechanism that have broken. As a customer, the best thing you can try is lubricating your door lock. Refrain from using a wet lubricant like standard WD-40. Personally, I like to use Houdini lock lubricant, or something like GT-85 is also acceptable since it is a dry lubricant. Spray a generous amount into the barrel and work it in with the blade on your key. let it soak in for 5 minutes and try turning the lock again.
If your bladed ignition isn’t turning, whilst it could be a debris issue, it is very unlikely since it isn’t exposed to the elements like your exterior locks are. It is likely a more deep-rooted problem that would require disassembly of the entire mechanism.