An older car key can get broken. The most commonplace for them to get broken and stuck is in the keyhole. The problem is that it will become really difficult for you to take the key out of the car door lock.
However, there are numerous ways to do so. I will share with you multiple ways to dislodge a broken key out of a car door lock.
Once you go through these ways, taking the car key out is certainly possible.
How to get a broken key out of a car door lock?
You can get the key out of the car door lock using tweezers, hacksaw blade, Key extractor, Super Glue, tapping the cylinder, or pulling the key.
I will go into the details of all these methods below. Once you go through these methods, finding the solution will become easy.
1. Use tweezers:
Tweezers are one of the most common ways to get the broken key out of the car door lock.
You need to, however, ensure that the tweezers are of the right thickness. If you do not choose the right one, you might push the key further into the car door lock.
The tweezers should be wide to fix the key inside it properly. Only then can you pull it out quickly.
You have to keep in mind that you can use the tweezers only if a part of the key is protruding outward. Otherwise, you will push it inwards.
Thus, by fixing the key in between the tweezers and pulling it out, you can certainly get it out of the car door lock.
2. Use Key Extractor:
There is a dedicated Key extractor tool that you can use as well. In case you call a locksmith, he/she will be using that tool.
The tool fixes itself into the teeth of the key. Once you do so, you have to pull the key your turn it in if required.
Once you do so, you might dislodge the key quite easily. However, since you haven’t used a Key extractor before, you might need multiple attempts to do so.
You can easily order such a Key extractor online.
It is one of the best and most efficient ways to get the broken key out of the car door lock.
3. Use Hacksaw Blade:
A hacksaw blade can also help you get the broken key out of the car door lock.
The aim is to use the hacksaw blade and put it into the key slot. The hacksaw blade is so thin that you can easily do so even when the key is inside.
You might have to break the blade and make it small enough to fit into the keyhole.
The calibration of the blade should be such that they are pointing towards you rather than inside. Once you put the blade inside, you have to turn and pull it. Since the blade will be in direct contact with the key, the key will come out as well.
You have to, however, keep in mind that you might need multiple attempts to do so.
Since you are dealing with the blade, it is essential to wear gloves and take proper precautions. Otherwise, the blade might inflict the cut.
It is another way in which you can get the key out of the car door lock.
4. Make use of Super Glue:
Another way to remove a key from the car door lock is to use the Super Glue.
You have to take a matchstick and apply the Super Glue to it. You have to stick to this matchstick to the broken car key part, which is protruding outside.
Once you do so, the matchstick will stick to the car key. After that, you can pull out the matchstick easily.
If you do not want to do this with a matchstick or matchstick breaks, you can do this with a wire. The wire is much sturdier, and you can pull the car key easily as well.
However, this technique is only suitable when a part of the car key is protruding out.
5. Tap the cylinder:
In the worst case, you need to remove the cylinder. Once you remove the cylinder, you have to tap it from the opposite end. The keyhole should be facing downwards. You can even tap it with a hammer.
Once you do so, the chances of the key coming out are pretty high.
You have to use the hammer’s power and gravity to bring the key out.
When you do so, it will become easier for you to remove the key.
However, if you hit it hard enough, it might get damaged as well. You have to keep this factor in mind and, after that, try out this method.
6. Pull the key:
If you do not have tweezers handy, you can use two thin metal pieces. You have to hold the key from either side with the help of these two pieces. Once you do so, you have to pull out the broken part of the key with the help of these two metal pieces.
Once you do so and apply enough pressure, you will be able to bring out the broken car key quite easily.
Thus, when you’re trying to get a broken car key out of a car door lock, these are the six ways in which you can do so. Depending on the position of the car key and whether it is protruding outwards or not, you can easily choose the method from my list above.
Which method should you choose?
The method which you should choose depends on:
• Whether the key is protruding outwards or not
• The tools which you have
• The effort which you are willing to put into it
Depending on these 3 criteria, it will become easier for you to choose from the 6 methods I highlighted above.
How to get inside the car after that?
When you remove the key, and if you do not have another one, the only way to get into the car is to hire a locksmith to make a new key.
Conclusion:
Thus, when you’re trying to get a broken key out of for car door lock, these are the six ways in which you can do so. With my guide above, you can easily remedy the situation.
The next time around, make sure that you are preserving your car key in perfect condition to not suffer from such wear and tear that it gets broken. You can use a magnetic key holder for car, which I have covered in my post here to preserve the car key.