Thread: Help please! Broken key in ignition

thanks JC, just trying to figure out how much difference in price it will be with removing the ignition barrel and taking it to a locksmith versus leaving it in and having a mobile locksmith address it!

I had this with my Lotus.

The $180 for the fix is just the tip of the iceberg - My key had broken because one of the tumblers had worn and a new lock was needed ( about 100 pounds from rimmers).

Undoing the shear bolts is a frustration but not hard- tap them round and round with a sharp punch.

I then used normal socket- head screws to install the new lock so that that step would be less of a bother in the future. - Sure it may be easier to steal the car by taking the lock off but its not THAT hard to get the shear studs out - not really an obstacle to nicking the car.

Hopefully it will be less of a drama for you tho!

thanks Rfurzer! unfortunately you are definitely right with that price just being the tip of the iceberg! rang today to get it fixed and that quote has moved to around $3-400, as they may have to remove the ignition barrel! so i will try and attempt it tonight and hopefully be successful and take the ignition barrel to the locksmith and hopefully reduce that price.

I suppose the other option would be to get a whole new ignition barrel and keys if that doesnt work?

If you can get hold of a jewellers piercing saw blade, (good engineers supplies) break the blank bit off one end. you need to have the teeth facing your hand so that when inserted along the toothed side of the bit in the lock, the teeth on the blade engage with the teeth of the key, and draw it out. I have done this with success. Good luck.
Don

Update! just tapped the sheer bolts out, and have the ignition barrel removed! so will most likely take that to a locksmith early in the morning!

would just like to say a very big thank you to the support and knowledge provided by this forum and it's members! as a 21 year old university student i appreciate the time and effort that more experienced people on this forum put into helping myself and certainly other members out in times of need!

Cheers

Baz

all fixed up now, total of $72 all up and a few hours of my own labour!