There are times when car keys — whether they’re traditional or transponder — simply won’t work. And if you’ve ever been in that kind of circumstances, you’re not alone. key cutters Halifax often receive emergency requests involving broken or malfunctioning car keys. And in this article, we’re tackling eight of the most common reasons behind this unfortunate situation.

Your car lock is damaged. Sometimes, it’s not the key that has an issue but the car lock. This is why businesses that provide key cutting in Halifax advise customers to check their car locks first. The damage can be in the lock cylinder or extreme temperatures or by road collisions.

The key itself is damaged. If your car lock is fine, then your key itself could be the issue. A damaged key is not just one that is visibly worn out or split into pieces. There are less noticeable damages, such as grooves with improper depths (in this case, your key won’t match your car lock’s mechanisms).

You’re using a poorly duplicated key. Car owners typically have their keys duplicated with the help of key cutters Halifax. However, if the duplicate is made using a copied key (meaning, your key is a copy of a copy), chances are there will already be deviations. This, or a poorly duplicated key, will be unsuitable for your car.

You’re using an aftermarket key. Though they are less expensive, aftermarket keys are typically dangerous for cars. In the first place, they’re not designed and programmed for your vehicle. Furthermore, the materials used to make them are also highly likely below average quality. These make them susceptible to frequent malfunctioning.

You have a faulty ignition cylinder. Many businesses that offer key cutting in Halifax also often encounter car owners whose keys won’t work because of a damaged ignition cylinder. This internal component of a vehicle can suffer from wear and tear. When your key works if you open your doors and your trunk but it won’t work with your cylinder, the problem is not the key but your cylinder. In this case, you have to get help from a mechanic.

Your keyless entry fob has internal damage. Today, many car owners now rely on keyless entry fobs. These only work when there’s proper communication between a transmitter and a receiver. Your car key won’t work if one or both of these are damaged. Malfunctioning can also arise because of frayed wires or worn-down internal components.

Your keyless entry fob is out of battery. Sometimes, a key fob that won’t work can be fixed by simply changing batteries. If you need to press key buttons multiple times before it would work, or if it erratically malfunctions, it could be that your key fob is already out of battery. Make sure to replace it with the right one so it can function as good as new again.

Your key is not yet programmed. If your keyless entry remote or transponder key is not working, it can also be caused by an issue in programming. This is a common problem encountered by vehicle owners who have acquired duplicate keys or have recently replaced their car key remotes.