Lockouts: Different Problems and Solutions

Our locks and keys help protect our assets, our loved ones, and ourselves. Without them, we would be vulnerable to intruders and have no real way to protect ourselves from home or vehicle break-ins and thefts. Most of the time we can count on our locks to function properly and it is likely we do not think much about them as we go about our days. That is, of course, until we experience some sort of problem with our locks. 

One of the most common lock and key issues one can experience is a lockout. Whether you are locked out of your vehicle or home, a lockout is bound to happen to the majority of us at some point in our lives. Luckily, regardless of what kind of lockout scenario you may find yourself in now or at some point in the future, there are plenty of ways you can resolve lockouts quickly and efficiently.

Residential Lockouts

There are a couple of different kinds of residential lockouts. The most common will be either home lockouts or apartment lockouts. Depending on where you live and whether or not you own or rent your dwelling, there are certain procedures you should follow in order to alleviate a lockout.

Homeowners 

Most home lockouts can be prevented with a little bit of preparation. A lot of homeowners opt to hide an extra house key somewhere on their property to retrieve during a lockout situation. You can either purchase hide-a-key devices or find a clever hiding spot somewhere around your home to store the key safely. 

A lot of homeowners are turning to electronic and keyless entry locks to help prevent lockouts altogether. Upgrading to electronic or smart locks makes it so that a physical key is unnecessary to unlock your home doors. One can purchase models that either allow users to connect their smartphones to their home locks or operate through the use of a keypad or combination device. The need for a traditional key is eliminated and a much more secure and convenient mechanism is put in its place.

Apartment Complexes

Apartment lockouts differ slightly from home lockouts. Most of the time, you will either not have the option to hide an extra key to your apartment on the property, such as you might if you owned your own home. You do not want to leave an extra apartment key under your front door mat, since this is an obvious hiding spot to begin with, but may also be the only hiding spot. If you are concerned about apartment lockouts, you should leave an extra apartment key in your car or have an extra key made that a friend or family member can hang on to.  

Most of the time, if you are locked out of your apartment, the complex management can let you back inside of your apartment. Some complexes have emergency management hours available for this reason, so even if the office is closed, you may still be able to reach someone to help. However, because this may not always be possible, it is best to give a copy of your apartment key to someone your trust or leave a spare in your vehicle.

Vehicle Lockouts

Vehicle lockouts can be one of the most inconvenient types of lockouts. Unless you have a specialized device that stores a key on the outside of your vehicle, usually near one of the vehicle’s tires, it is likely that you will need to call a locksmith. Since vehicle lockouts usually need to be resolved as quickly as possible, calling in a professional right away is recommended. 

Do not try to break-in to your own vehicle yourself unless it is an emergency. If there are children or animals locked in the car and it is hot outside, you will obviously want to get into the car and anyone out of it as soon as possible. If you can wait, however, it is advised that you call a locksmith and have them help you get back into your vehicle without any damage to your locks or windows. 

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Ignition Problems

A motorist may not necessarily enjoy driving but the enjoy the convenience of getting from point A to B. Despite the convenience of being able to drive to wherever you need to go, driving still has its fair share of issues from time-to-time. If you are not having maintenance performed on your vehicle then you are prone to experience problems every now and then. This is the same as if you don’t receive checkups from the doctor. You may experience health issues that you may not even be aware of until it is too late. Despite the possibility of the problem getting worse, many people still avoid having maintenance performed on their vehicles. This is often why they experience ignition issues.

When you have a problem turning your key in the ignition or if you are not able to turn the key in the ignition, then this is a problem that you should allow a locksmith, such as Complete Lock and Key in Downers Grove, IL, handle. The first thing that they will likely do is discourage you from snatching the key out of the ignition. This is something that will only make the problem worse. We encourage you to remain calm. It is proven that when people remain calm, they are able to think more clearly. We want you to be able to avoid any further problems that c can be costly.

There is no sense in blaming yourself for the problem because to you the key might look perfectly fine when in reality it was slightly damaged. This is something that you can’t always see for yourself but when the key gets stuck in the ignition, this is often the case.  

Here are some of our suggestions for helping you get through this problem.

What to do if the car is turned ON

Check the dashboard to make sure that it is in the right position. It should be in the park position not the drive or neutral position. If it is any other position other than park then the key will not be released. 

Check to make sure that the gear is in the parked position. Sometimes it will show that it is in the parked position on the dash but it isn’t completely in the park position. Therefore, make sure that it is clearly in the right position. 

Attempt to loosen the key while it is in park. All that you should do is slightly wiggle the key back and forth but not with too much force.

What to do if the car is turned OFF

The first thing we will do upon arriving to help you with your ignition issue is check to see if the battery is dead. If it is then we’ll need to replace it with a new battery or jump the existing battery. This is something that you can do yourself too. However, if you don’t know how then we’re happy to do this for you. 

Loosen the key by gently wiggling it back and forth. If the key doesn’t come out then don’t force it. This will only make the matter worse. 

Evaluate the position of the key because sometimes, especially if it is an older cylinder, the key could enter the ignition incorrectly. 

If you try any of the above suggestions and they do not work then it may be necessary to contact our locksmiths. If they work then this is great! There are some people who are afraid to even attempt to resolve the problem for fear of making the problem worse. If this sounds like you then it’s best to just give us a call. 

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Broken Transponder Key Problems and Solutions

Transponder keys have changed the way vehicle security is maintained. Since the mid-1990s, transponder keys have been a requirement for all vehicle makers to outfit on their vehicle. Most vehicles you will see on the road today use transponder keys and for many good reasons. Transponder keys help eliminate vehicle thefts and guarantees that the rightful owner of a given vehicle is the only one who is able to operate it.

How a Transponder Key Works 

Transponder keys operate through the use of two different signals. One signal sits inside of your car key, while the other is tucked inside your vehicle. These two signals match up to one another through radio waves. They are paired to recognize each other once the key is within a certain distance of the signal within the car. In order for one’s vehicle to start, this transponder signal must be free of interference and pair up perfectly. Without a perfect pairing, one’s vehicle will not start. 

Each vehicle that has a transponder key system is outfitted with a signal that is completely unique to that car. It is impossible for one’s transponder key to operate another vehicle, even if it is of the same make and model type. In fact, this is the very problem that transponder keys helped to eliminate. Prior to their invention, some vehicle keys could be used to unlock and drive other vehicles of the same kind. This error resulted in accidental thefts by innocent drivers that were somehow able to open and operate someone else’s vehicle, but also intention thefts and car-jackings. With a transponder key system in place in one’s vehicle, this makes it impossible to hotwire and steal. Unless one has the right key and the right transponder signal in place, the vehicle will not start under any circumstances.

Broken Key

The first possible problem that can happen with your transponder key, is that the chip inside of the key itself is broken or out of place. When this happens, you may be unable to start your vehicle, even though it may not appear on the outside as though anything is physically wrong with your key. If for some reason the chip inside the key is not able to transmit the transponder signal to the matching component in your vehicle, then you will not be able to start or drive your car.

Broken Vehicle Signal

It is also possible that the transponder signal inside your vehicle is broken. Even if there is nothing wrong with the transponder key itself, there may be an issue inside of the vehicle that has caused the vehicle component to be knocked out of place or damaged in some way. It is not advised that you try and reach the transponder chip inside of your car, as it is meant to be tucked away and difficult to reach. If you suspect that the transponder signal inside of your car may be to blame, you will need to contact an expert to help you repair it.

Lost Transponder Key

If you happen to lose your transponder key altogether, you will need to get it replaced immediately. Any sort of spare key you may have for your vehicle that is not outfitted with a transponder key will be of no use to you. Sometimes, vehicles will come with an extra car key that can be used to unlock the glovebox and the trunk of the vehicle, but is actually useless when it comes to turning on and operating the car. Without an extra transponder key to match your vehicle, you will be out of luck. A certified locksmith, however, can help you repair or replace your transponder key easily if you need to have a new one made fast.

Getting a New Transponder Key

It may be difficult to know for sure what the problem is with your transponder key. In fact, it may be impossible to tell if the source of the problem is coming from the key or from the vehicle’s transponder signal. No matter what you think the root of the problem may be, it is important to get help from an expert that has experiencing replacing transponder keys. 

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When to Replace Locks

If there has been a break-in, this would be a good time to replace your locks. Even if you have not personally experienced a break-in, but you know of others in your neighborhood who have, this is still a good time to consider having old and worn locks replaced by our locksmiths at Complete Lock and Key in Downers Grove, IL. Can you remember the last time you replaced your locks? If you can’t then now be a good time to have a security audit performed to determine if your locks could hold up against an intrusion. 

Here are some other reasons why you might need to have your locks replaced  

• Break-ins – Again, if you have ever received a break-in, it goes without saying that you should have the locks changed. If you think that your home is safe just because someone has already done so, think again. They might just figure that your home is an easy target and return for more. Instead of taking unnecessary chances with your home security, have the locks changed right away.  
• Stolen Keys – If your house keys have been stolen or you have lost them, you could be putting yourself and your loved ones in harm’s way. This is because someone could use your keys to gain access into your home when you least expect it. It’s rather easy to lose your keys but finding them is not as easy. Don’t drive yourself crazy looking for your keys. Instead, why not just call a locksmith to have your locks replaced. This is sure to give you peace-of-mind and enable you to sleep soundly at night.  
• Broken/Worn Out Locks – When you move into a home that has its original locks, it might be necessary to replace the locks. There may even be some locks that are not working that you are not even familiar with. If you have old, rusty locks, they will not work as effectively as newer locks. Why not rely on a locksmith to have a security audit performed. This will reveal whether or not you have locks that need to be replaced. When you have trouble opening your doors or if you see visible signs of wear and tear, have your locks changed immediately.  
• Move In/Move Out – If you are the owner of a rental property then you know better than anyone just how important it is to replace locks every now and then. When you have an old tenant moving out and a new one moving in, this is a good time to replace the lock. This is practical if you are not using a lockbox. It not only protects you against liability if someone breaks in and steals something or harms the tenant but it protects the tenant. If this is important to you then you are likely already replacing the locks whenever a new tenant is about to move in.  
• Move Outs – If you have recently gone through a divorce or you have a roommate that has moved out, this would also be a good time to have the locks replaced. Regardless of whether your trust the person or not, you can’t trust everyone that they come in contact with. Perhaps the roommate innocently gave a key to someone else to pick up something they left behind. What if the person has sticky fingers and they begin taking things that do not belong to you or them? Avoid this possibility by simply having the locks replaced. If you are going through a divorce then it is also in your best interest to change the locks. Emotions can eventually get in the way and this could lead to actions being taken that you would never expect. Protect yourself by having the locks of your home replaced whenever anyone moves out.  

Avoid Break-ins

While you may not be able to prevent a break-in, you can certainly try. One way that many in Downers Grove try to avoid a break-in is by having a keyless lock installed. A keypad is installed and then a code is keyed into the keypad to unlock the lock. A thief is hard pressed to try to compromise this type of lock. In most case, they won’t even attempt to do so.  

A keyless lock is also a good idea because the code can be changed very quickly and easily. If you have contractors working in your home and their services are no longer needed, you can easily change the code so that they no longer have access inside. You can program your keypad to accept a specific code for a limited time. This means that you are able to create temporary codes that can be changed at any time. A keyless lock is a practical and affordable way to protect yourself. The code should only be given out to those who you want to have it, those whom you trust. The last thing you would want is for a lot of different people to have the code. 

When you have several family members in your household then you can even provide a different code for each person. However, if you only have one code then make sure any time you change it that you notify everyone in the household of the change. Therefore, if you have decided to replace any exterior locks, we suggest that you replace them with keyless locks. 

There are certain precautions that should be taken to protect your home. If you have never experienced a break-in before, count yourself fortunate. However, don’t assume that this is something that could never happen to you just because it hasn’t happened. We want you to remain safe and that is why we are offering such valuable information. While we would love to have your business, we would prefer to keep you safe. Therefore, if this means losing your business, it is well worth it to us. It is up to every individual to take the necessary safety precautions by replacing locks when needed. 

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Mobile 24-hour Downers Grove locksmiths

"Here at Complete Lock And Key we know that it is important for you to be able to be safe and secure in your own home.  We can take a look at your existing locks and make upgrades, as necessary.  We can also take care of any repairs that are needed.  We will install deadbolts, put in a home safe if needed, re-key locks, install intercom systems and extract broken keys. 

We use top brands including Arrow, Ilco, Falcon, Yale, Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Kaba, Schlage, and Kwikset.  If you want to access a free consultation, please let us know.  We are happy to walk through and around your home together with you to see which areas need to be upgraded and where important changes can be made. 

If you have a commercial property we can replace locks, re-key locks after an old employee leaves, upgrade security, make repairs, help with lockouts and handle break-in repairs.  If you have had your vehicle broken into we can deal with those repairs and ensure that they are completely taken care of. 

If you are a resident of Downers Grove, Illinois, we are ready to help you with your lock needs, you just have to give us a call and talk to us about what you need.  We are ready to assist with whatever it is that you are looking for.  We offer 24/7 help, so feel free to call us if you are experiencing a lock emergency and we will arrive in a timely manner to assist you."