Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Norfolkandchance]

Guys,

Okay so I admit it, I'm a clueless twit at times, what can I say - totally daft. Should so be blonde!

Last night I left my keys hanging from the door when I got home as I had my arms full. Before I could get the keys out of the door the wind caught it and slammed the door shut onto my car key . I have a Vauxhall, and like most keys these days within the handle is the remote central locking fob and immboilliser chip. That part is intact but the actual key is bent and twisted. it does just about go into the ignition barrel, but what to do.

I am worried if I try to straighten it, it may well snap or worst snap at a later date in the barrel as the only way I could think to straighten is with a hammer. And before you say get the spare out - I dont have one. Just never got around to it since I Bought the car 18 months ago. Any suggestions on how I could remove some of the kink without weakening the metal key

[Uncle Joe]

A very similar thing happened to me 12 months ago! It was easy enough to straighten the key, I used a smooth jawed vice, and hand pressure. But (isnt there always!) A few days later, the same key broke off in the ignition.

My advice in this situation would be, if its usable, dont bother trying to straighten it, but order a new key on a VOR order....

UJ

[UKdave2002]

I bought an Omega a few years ago, the day after I bought it still had both keys on the same fob, the car was locked but I had the boot open, as I am closing the boot I just see the keys on the boot floor ......to late , got the AA out who had a book of "how to break in to cars" standard issue, could have done it if it was a manual , but mine was an auto so we left it. Had to nip down to the GM dealer the next day who could cut a key from the chassis number as long as I had a shed load of ID etc, but needed another code, (which was in the car!) to program the key, I suppose it all does make security sense!.

Anyway with the cut un-programmed key I could unlock the door in the old fashioned way, open the boot and was back in business.

We all have our blonde moments

[62rebel]

you should hear our customers when the replacement cost of the key and remote come up... it's dreadfully nice to have the convenience but dreadfully bad to pay for. i for one despise these keys; dratted finicky to cut and we have a drawer full of miscuts to prove it. i refuse to have one with built-in remote locking. of course, my car is 29 years old and has NO creature comforts like those expected today. my wife called me to come unlock her car after she'd locked her keys in; i reminded her that on HER driver's door ANY ford key, even uncut, would unlock it.