How to Remove a Key Broken off in the Ignition
It couldn’t have happened at a worse time! You have somewhere you need to be in the next little while and the key just won’t budge, and when it does, half of it is still in the ignition. There’s also the possibility that you can’t get any help in the next 10 minutes, or maybe you don’t have the cash to pay a professional right now. Whatever the reason, it’s going to be fine. Let’s look at what you can do to get that broken key out of the ignition.
Check the Toolbox or Trunk
See if you might have an object small and sharp enough that you could use to extract the key. If not, is there an object that you can rig to slide in the ignition and remove the fragment? In some cases, a worn pair of needle-nose pliers may be small enough to gently grab the broken piece and pull it out of the ignition.
Tips
Bobby pins are not just for pinning back stray hairs, and paper clips aren’t merely office supplies. Get into MacGyver-mode and take those items to the next level.
1. Scrape the little plastic coating off of the end of the bobby pin, if it’s the tool of choice (You need this end to be bare metal).
Use pliers to curve the bent, bare, metal end. Try to make a very small little hook so that it can capture the fragmented key and pull it out. If you don’t have pliers, try a little elbow grease. Place the bare metal end against a hard surface (like pavement) and try applying gentle force to create the hook you need to retract the fragment.
2. Same technique applies to using a paper clip. Just unfold it and make a curved, hook-like shape on one end and place it in the ignition to gently extract the broken key. Make sure you use the hooked end against the key as the straight end won’t do much good.
3. Purchase a broken key extractor kit from anautosupply store if the above methods are not feasible. The kit will usually come with everything you need to try and remove the key fragment and directions for using it. The kit costs roughly $28 online atwww.lockpickshop.com
4. Call a locksmith or your personal mechanic if all else fails or if it’s the choice you prefer above all others. Prices will vary from professional to professional, but an average estimation for this repair is around $200-$300.
Whatever option you choose, make sure it’s the right one. Using a bobby pin or paper clip has proven to work for many people, but if you don’t have the ability to carefully bend the end, don’t. If you must leave the vehicle, follow your state’s laws for leaving unattended vehicles so your mode of transportation won’t get towed. A piece of advice: keep a list of important numbers in your vehicle at all times or program them into your cell phone for instant reference in sticky situations.
