Every question on the site

How much does car key replacement cost in San Diego?

Most chip keys run $125 to $199 and most smart keys $229 to $399, no trip fee. Dealers here typically quote $230 to $380 and $400 to $750, so most customers save $120 to $300. Your make is on the pricing page.

Is your key the same as the dealer's key?

Yes, in every way your car checks. Each one is an OEM or OEM-grade part carrying the chip your car was built for, cut to your key code and paired through the steps a dealer technician follows. Our warranty runs a full year.

How soon can you get to my car?

Usually 45 to 90 minutes from your call, inside open hours, which run 7 AM to 9 PM daily. It depends on where the car is and the job ahead of yours, and the estimate you get on the phone is honest, not hopeful.

What if I lost every key to the car?

We still make the key where the car is, at $60 above the spare-key figure. The code comes off your VIN, the blade is cut to it, and the immobilizer learns the new chip. Bring the title or registration plus a matching ID.

When do I pay, and how?

After the new key works. You start the car and try the remote, then pay by card or cash. The total is the figure quoted on the phone, because nothing about the drive or the programming gets billed separately at the car.

Should I ever go to the dealer instead?

Sometimes, and we tell you so up front. Mercedes issues its own keys for most 2014 and newer models, certain BMWs from 2019 onward are similar, and a basic no-chip key runs close to the dealer's figure. Most other cars are done where they sit.

Is there a trip fee or an evening charge?

No. The drive is part of every price anywhere in the county, from Oceanside to San Ysidro and east past El Cajon, and a call at 8 PM costs the same as one at 8 AM. We work from 7 AM until 9 PM daily, with no after-hours rate inside those hours.

Why is each key type shown as a range instead of one number?

Because the exact key depends on the make, model and year. A Chevrolet chip key and an Audi chip key are different parts with different programming, so the range spans both. Once we know what you drive, or have the VIN, you get one fixed number up front.

How much more is it with no working key?

$60 more than the spare-key figure for your make and key type. The extra covers looking up the code by VIN and the longer programming when no original exists. Proof of ownership is required, and once the new key works, the missing one is deleted from the car free of charge.

Can I supply my own fob, bought online?

Yes, as long as it is new or has never been married to another car, and the charge is $79 to $119, where a dealer asks $120 to $200. Used fobs from salvage yards usually refuse a second car, and we will tell you on the phone if yours looks like one of them. The fob programming page has more.

Do I pay anything before the key works?

No. Payment comes after the new key runs the engine and the remote locks the doors, and you can use a card or cash. The amount matches what you heard on the phone, since every part of the job was counted in it before we set out.

Does a lockout or a broken key cost the same as a new key?

No, those are separate jobs with their own prices. Opening a locked car runs $79 to $129, and pulling a snapped key out of a door or ignition is $89 to $149. If you also need a replacement key, it is priced at the normal rate for its type, with the drive already counted.

Is a locksmith key as good as a dealer key?

Yes, when it is the correct key programmed correctly. Every key we fit is OEM or OEM-grade, matched to the chip type your model calls for, and the immobilizer is paired using the manufacturer's own procedure. If the key, remote or programming fails inside a year, the warranty covers the fix, so the risk sits with us.

Why does the dealer need my car towed in?

Because the dealer's programming equipment stays in the service bay, and it has to be plugged into your car. Without a working key, the car cannot be driven over, so a $125 to $200 tow lands on the bill. The same kind of tool rides in our van, so your car gets programmed where it is parked.

How do I know the price will not change when you arrive?

Because it is set before we leave. We confirm the key type from your car's details or the VIN, then quote one number with the key, programming and drive inside it. That number is what you pay, card or cash, and only after you have tested the new key yourself.

What does the one-year warranty cover?

It covers three things for a year from the day we make the key: the key itself, its remote and the programming. If the chip stops being recognized, the buttons quit or the programming drops, call the same number and we make it right under the warranty, with nothing extra to buy.

Can you compare your number with a quote I already have from the dealer?

Yes. Send the dealer's quote through our quote comparison page, and our reply gives what the identical key runs from us, made at your car. It sets the two numbers side by side rather than promising to undercut, and the choice stays entirely yours.

Is this a promise to beat any quote?

No, it is a straight comparison. We reply with our number for the same key made at your car, and you judge the gap yourself. On chip, remote and smart keys ours typically comes in 40 to 55 percent below the dealer. On a basic key with no chip the two numbers are close, and the reply tells you that.

What should the dealer quote show?

The year, make and model, the part number or key description, and each line with its dollar figure. A screenshot of the text or email from the service desk works, and so does a photo of a printed estimate. If the dealer only read you a number over the phone, type it in with the car details and we identify the key from the VIN.

How fast do you reply?

Usually within 15 minutes during open hours, which run 7 AM to 9 PM every day. A quote sent after 9 PM gets its answer the next morning. The reply is one number for the same key with the drive, the cutting, the programming and the one-year warranty already inside, so nothing gets added at the car.

What if my car needs a key only the dealer can supply?

Then the reply says so. Most Mercedes-Benz models from 2014 on take a key issued only through a Mercedes dealer, and a number of 2019 and later BMW models follow suit. In that case the dealer quote you sent is the route to take, and we would rather tell you in a text than make a drive that ends with no key.

Do I need a dealer quote to get your number?

No. Call or text (619) 340-1518 with the year, make and model, and we quote on the phone before we drive. The dealer quote is simply the quickest way to put both numbers side by side, and it settles which key the car takes. Either way, you pay by card or cash once the new key works.

How much does it cost to replace a lost car key with no spare?

The spare-key price for your car plus $60. That works out to $185 to $259 for a chip key, $225 to $319 for a remote head key and $289 to $459 for a smart key, with the drive included anywhere in San Diego County. A dealer charges $230 to $750 for the key, plus programming labor, plus a tow to get the car there.

Do I need to tow my car to get a key made?

No. Programming has to happen at the car, which is exactly why we come to it. The van carries the key stock, the cutter and the programming tool. The only reason a dealer needs a tow is that their tools do not leave the building.

What do you need from me to make a key for a car with no keys?

Proof that the car is yours: the registration or title and an ID with a matching name. If the registered owner is someone else, say so on the call and we will tell you what to bring before we drive. We also need the VIN, which is on the dash at the base of the windshield and on the registration.

How long does a lost-key job take?

Thirty to 45 minutes after we arrive on most cars. Cutting by code takes a few minutes, programming the immobilizer takes ten to twenty, and pairing the remote a few more. Toyota and Lexus often build a security wait of roughly 16 minutes into smart key programming, which we sit through.

Can you make a key if the car has been sitting for years or the battery is dead?

Yes, but the car needs power to program. We carry a jump pack and connect it before we start, at no extra charge. If the battery is completely gone, a new one from an auto parts store is the better fix than repeated jump starts, and we can wait while you pick one up.

Will the old key still work after you make the new one?

Not to start the car, and that is on purpose. We erase the lost key from the immobilizer as part of the job, at no charge, so a found key cannot start the engine. If you later find it and want it back in the car, we can re-add it for the fob-programming price of $79 to $119.

How much does a spare car key cost?

$125 to $199 for a chip key, $165 to $259 with remote buttons in the head, and $229 to $399 for push-to-start, with a working key present and the drive included. A dealer's typical quote for those keys is $230 to $750, with programming billed apart, typically $100 to $180.

Can I get a car key copied at a hardware store?

Only the metal part, on nearly every chip-key car. The chip that lets the engine run is either left out or cloned, and many newer chips cannot be cloned at all. Laser-cut blades need a machine most stores lack. A programmed spare is registered to the car as a key of its own, so it keeps working if the original is lost and erased.

Do I need my original key to make a spare?

Not strictly, but having it saves you $60. When a working key is present, the programmer uses add mode and simply registers the new key. Without one, the VIN supplies the key code and the immobilizer starts over from blank, which is priced as an all-keys-lost job and needs proof of ownership.

Will my old keys still work after you add a spare?

Yes. Adding a key leaves the existing ones registered, and we test each of them before we go. The exception is a car whose procedure rebuilds the whole key list, such as a Honda or Acura programmed with no working key on hand, which is why every key you own should be at the car for the visit.

Is your spare key the same quality as a dealer key?

Yes. The key is new and OEM or OEM-grade. It uses the chip type your original carries and is programmed with the procedure a dealer runs. What changes is the bill, which carries no showroom overhead and no labor line stacked on the part. Each key is covered for a year, buttons and programming included.

Can you make a spare for a push-to-start car?

Yes, for $229 to $399 against $400 to $750 at a dealer. Most makes need your working fob in the car while the new one is registered, and some Toyota and Lexus models add a built-in security wait that costs time, not money. The metal blade inside the new fob is cut to your door lock before we leave.

How much does a smart key replacement cost?

$229 to $399 at your car with a working fob present, or $289 to $459 when every fob is gone. European smart keys run $309 to $449. Dealers typically quote $400 to $750 for the key, or $600 to $900 on European models, with programming labor and any tow on top of that.

Why does the new smart key have a metal key inside?

It is the backup for a dead fob battery or a dead car battery, and it opens the driver door by hand. New fobs arrive with the blade uncut, so we cut it to your lock by code before leaving. Skipping that step saves nothing and leaves you with a fob that cannot get you into the car when its battery quits.

Can you replace a Mercedes or BMW smart key?

It depends on the year, and the answer comes on the first call. Mercedes-Benz keys for 2014 and newer cars are issued only by the dealer, and the same is true of certain 2019 and later BMW models. On a 2010 to 2018 BMW, our smart key starts at $399 where the dealer asks about $750, and a Mercedes key for 2013 and older is from $329.

Why does a Toyota or Lexus smart key take longer to program?

The car has a security timer built in. On many Toyota and Lexus smart key systems, part of the procedure is a wait of roughly 16 minutes before the car accepts a new fob, and only one fob can be inside while it runs. We sit through it at no extra charge, so it costs you time, not money.

Can I buy a smart key online and have you program it?

Often, yes. Pairing a new fob you supply is $79 to $119, provided its FCC ID and part number match the one you are replacing. On most makes a used smart key stays married to its first car and refuses a second one. Send a photo of the back before you order, and see key fob programming for what to check.

What should I have ready when you arrive?

The car, every working fob you have, and your ID. If no fob is left, add the registration or title in the name on that ID. Leave room to open the driver door fully, because the programmer plugs in below the steering column and some Toyota and Lexus steps run with that door open.

How much does key fob programming cost?

$79 to $119 at your car for a fob you already have, with the drive included. A dealer typically charges $120 to $200 for the same pairing, billed as labor at the dealership. If the fob comes from us instead, a remote head key is $165 to $259 and a push-button smart key runs $229 to $399.

Can you program a key fob I bought online?

Yes, if it is new or never paired and its FCC ID, part number and frequency match your car. Text a photo of the back and your VIN before booking and we check it first. A mismatched part is a common reason an online fob will not pair, and it is better found in a text thread than in your driveway.

Can a used key fob be reprogrammed to a different car?

Usually not. On most makes the fob locks itself to the first car it is paired with, so a salvage-yard or secondhand fob refuses the next car even when it looks identical. Some locked fobs can be reset with a special tool, but that depends on the exact part, so we look at the photo before anyone spends money.

My key starts the car but the buttons stopped working. What do I need?

A new battery first, often a CR2032 or CR2025. If the buttons still do nothing, the remote side may have lost its pairing or its sync, and that is a $79 to $119 programming visit, not a new key. If the remote circuit itself is damaged, a replacement remote head key is $165 to $259.

What does it mean to re-sync a key fob?

It means bringing the fob's rolling code back in step with the car. Every press advances a counter, and if the fob gets too far ahead, from presses out of range or a battery swap, the car stops listening. Many cars re-sync with a short routine in the owner's manual, often a button press with the key in the ignition.

Does the car have to be there to program a fob?

Yes, every time. The car holds the list of fobs it answers to, so pairing happens with the fob and the car together. Have every fob you want to keep working at the car, because on many models a pairing session rewrites the whole list and a fob left at home can stop working afterward.

What does a key fob battery replacement cost?

$20 to $45 when we fit it at your car, drive included, with the low end applying when we are already there for another job. A dealer charges $15 to $30, after you drive in and wait. The bare cell costs a few dollars over a parts-store counter, and we will name it on the phone.

How can I tell whether the battery is the problem?

When the engine keeps starting on that key while its buttons fade, suspect the cell first; the chip in a turn-key car draws nothing from it. Range that shrank over a few weeks and a battery warning on the dash point the same way. A fob that stopped the day it got wet points to the fob instead.

Does the car forget the fob while the battery is out?

Not on most cars. The car keeps its own list of fobs, and the fob stores its pairing in memory that holds without power, so a swap lasting a minute or two changes nothing. A few fobs lose sync and need the manual's resync steps; if that fails, pairing is $79 to $119.

Can a dead fob battery lock me out of my car?

It leaves the buttons dead, but nearly every fob either is a key or hides one. Slide the release on a smart key and a metal blade slides free to work the driver door lock, sometimes hidden under a cap on the handle. If that blade has gone missing too, a lockout visit is $79 to $129 and leaves the door unmarked.

What size cell does my fob need?

Whatever size is marked on the cell already in it. Common ones are CR2032, CR2025, CR2016, CR1620 and CR1616, and some larger fobs take a CR2450. The fob battery guide lists the usual cell by make and key style, or call with the car's details and we will name it.

What does a car lockout cost?

$79 to $129, priced on the call before we set out and paid at the car once the door is open. That price covers the trip anywhere in the county, and there is no after-hours rate between 7 AM and 9 PM, weekends included. A tow to a dealer lot alone would cost $125 to $200.

Will opening my car scratch the paint or bend the door?

No. The work happens in a gap made at the top rear corner of the door, with a plastic wedge, an air bag inflated only as far as needed and a sleeved rod. Nothing is forced through the lock or down inside the door. Before we pack up, you look over the weatherstrip and the paint edge with us.

My smart key died and the car is locked. Can I get in on my own?

Often, yes. Most smart fobs hide a metal blade behind a small release on the case, and the matching keyhole is usually under a cap on the driver's door handle that pries off from below. The alarm may sound until the engine runs; hold the fob against the start button to start it. If the blade is gone or the lock will not turn, call us.

What proof do you need before you open my car?

A driver's license or state ID, then the registration or title once the car is open. The registration usually lives in the glovebox, locked in with the keys, so we open the door first and compare the names before you drive off. If the registration is in another person's name, mention it on the call so we can tell you what to have ready.

Can you get my keys out of a locked trunk?

Yes. Usually we open a door first, then use the trunk release up front or fold the rear seat and pull the glow handle inside the trunk. When the release is switched off or the battery is flat, we pick the trunk lock instead. Picking does not change the lock, so your key still fits it afterward.

What happens if the key is not in the car when you open it?

Then the same visit turns into a key job at your car. The new key is priced at what a spare costs for your model plus $60, which covers reading the code off the VIN and setting up the immobilizer with no working key to copy. You hear that number before anything is cut, and once the new one works, the car is told to forget the old one.

Can a locksmith fix a car ignition?

Yes. A locksmith rebuilds or replaces the lock cylinder at your car and sets it to the key you already carry, while a dealership is more likely to install the complete lock assembly. Ours runs $179 to $349 with the drive included; a dealer quotes $350 to $700 before any tow. If the fault is the electrical switch behind the cylinder, that is a mechanic's part, and you hear which one it is on the call.

How much does ignition repair cost?

$179 to $349 at your car, with part, labor and travel included, where a dealer quotes $350 to $700 before any tow. Where your car lands in that range depends on the cylinder and whether a security relearn is needed. Send us the VIN and you get a firm number on the call, before anyone sets out.

Why will my key not turn in the ignition?

Most often the steering lock is holding the cylinder. Turn the wheel firmly left and right while turning the key and it usually lets go. If it still will not move, the wafers in the cylinder or the cuts on your key have worn out of line. A freshly cut key sometimes helps; a worn cylinder needs replacing.

Will I need new keys after you replace the ignition?

No. We set the new cylinder to the key you already have, so that key keeps working the doors, the trunk and the ignition. Your chip stays in the same key and the car already recognizes it, so most cars need nothing reprogrammed. GM models with Passlock need a relearn wait, which is part of the job.

My push-button car will not start. Is that the ignition?

Usually not. A push-button car starts when it senses the fob and sees the brake pedal pressed. If the fob battery is weak, touch the start button with the fob itself; if the engine starts, a new battery fixes it. If your brake lights stay dark when you press the pedal, the brake light switch is the likely cause, and that is a mechanic's part.

Should I check for a recall before paying for an ignition repair?

Yes, and it takes a minute: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Several GM models from the 2000s, the Chevrolet Cobalt among them, were recalled for ignition problems, and an open recall is repaired free at a franchised dealer. If nothing open comes up for your VIN, our price at the car is $179 to $349.

What should I do when the key is stuck in the ignition?

Check the shifter first. Most automatics only release the key in Park, and a shifter resting just short of Park holds it. Press the brake, push the shifter firmly into Park and try again. On some cars a flat battery traps the key as well. If neither is the cause, the cylinder or its interlock has worn and needs replacing.

What does broken key extraction cost?

$89 to $149, and that price covers the trip to your car. Where a job lands in the range depends on the lock and how deep the piece sits, which a photo by text usually shows us before we drive. A replacement key is a separate line, priced by type, from $49 for a basic key.

Will you have to drill out the lock?

No. Drilling destroys the wafers, and then you are paying for a new cylinder on top of the extraction. Thin extractors slide along the broken blade and hook its cuts instead. When a piece sits too deep in a door, the cylinder comes out of the door, the piece is pushed out from behind, and the same cylinder goes back in.

Can you make a new key from the broken one?

Usually, yes. The two pieces together still show the original cuts, so we read them, cut a fresh blade to match and program the new key's chip to your car. For a transponder key that is $125 to $199, against $230 to $380 at a dealer. If the pieces are too worn to read, we cut from the VIN code.

Why did my key break off in the ignition?

Usually because the key was worn thin or cracked at the shoulder, or carried a heavy ring. A binding cylinder snaps keys too, and if yours needed force before the break, a new key will meet the same resistance. We work the cylinder after extraction and tell you whether it is worn, so you know before paying for anything more.

Can I still drive if my key broke off in the door?

Usually, yes, if you have another key or a push-button start. The door lock only matters for getting in, the remote unlocks most cars on its own, and the ignition is a separate lock. Book the extraction when it suits you, and until then keep anything else out of that keyhole.

If only the blade broke, why does the chip matter?

Because the car checks the chip before it lets the engine run. On most keys the chip sits in the head, so a new key only starts the car once the fresh chip inside it is paired with the immobilizer; until then it turns the lock and nothing more. The exception is a flip key, where a new blade can often go into your existing head.

Why does my key go in the ignition but not turn?

Usually the steering lock pin is pressing on the cylinder. Rock the wheel gently toward the side with some give while you turn the key, and both should release together. If the wheel moves freely and the key still stops, try the spare: a spare that turns means a worn key, and two stuck keys mean a worn cylinder.

What does it cost when the key will not turn?

Anywhere from nothing to $349, depending on the part. A worn key means a new chip key, $125 to $199 where you parked, while a dealer asks $230 to $380. A worn cylinder is replaced and set to your key for $179 to $349; the dealership quote is $350 to $700.

Will a hardware store key copy fix it?

Usually not. A copy traced from a worn key inherits its rounded cuts and binds the same way. Most cars from 1998 onward also read a chip before starting, so a blade-only copy can turn the lock and leave the engine silent. A code-cut key with a programmed chip avoids both.

Can I keep driving if the key only turns some of the time?

You can, but book the repair soon. A cylinder that needs several tries tends to get worse, ending with a morning when it refuses entirely or a key that snaps mid-twist. Replacing it while the car still runs lets you pick the time and the place, with no tow either way.

What if my car has a knob instead of a key slot?

Then the car has to sense the fob before the knob unlocks, and a fob cell near the end of its life is the likely cause. Fit a fresh cell, often a CR2032, and try the backup fob position shown in the owner's manual. If the knob stays locked with a fresh cell, call and tell us what the dash displays.

Why is my security light flashing when the car won't start?

Because the immobilizer did not accept the key's chip. On most cars the light blinks while the car is off, which is normal, and goes out a few seconds after a recognized key reaches ON. If it stays lit or keeps flashing at ON, the car refused that key, and the spare tells you whether the key or the car is at fault.

My key turns and the engine cranks, then dies. Is that the key?

Usually, yes. On many cars the engine fires and the immobilizer shuts it down within a second or two when the chip does not match; on others the starter never turns. Both point at the chip. If a second key starts the car and keeps it running, replace the first key.

Can a dead key fob battery stop the car from starting?

On a push-to-start car it can, because the car finds the fob by radio and a flat cell goes silent. Resting the fob on the start button gets around that on most cars, since a reader there wakes the chip directly. On a turn-key car, a dead cell stops the buttons but not the engine.

Can you reprogram a key my car stopped recognizing?

Often, if the key itself is sound. A car that dropped a key after a programming session or a module swap can learn it again, and for a remote or smart key that is $79 to $119. A cracked chip or a clone gains nothing from reprogramming; a new key with its own entry is the fix.

Will the dealer have to tow my car?

If no key starts it, yes, since dealer programming happens in their service bay. The truck is typically $125 to $200, and a key the parts counter must order means one to three days without your car. We come to wherever it stopped, and our quoted price already covers the trip.

Why did my key fob stop working all of a sudden?

Most often the cell has run down. The end can feel sudden because the fob keeps working until the voltage drops below what its circuit needs. Fit a fresh cell of the size stamped on the old one. If nothing changes, the spare fob tells you whether the car or the daily fob is at fault.

Which battery does my key fob take?

Many take a CR2032, but read the old cell before buying, because CR2025, CR2016 and CR1620 are common too and look alike at a glance. If the case will not open easily, call with your car's details and we tell you the size. The battery guide by make names the common cell for each key style.

Do I have to reprogram the fob after a battery change?

Usually not. Most fobs keep their pairing through a cell swap and answer the car as soon as the new one is in. Some drift out of sync and need a few presses beside the car or a resync step from the owner's manual. If the buttons stay silent after that, pairing with a programmer runs $79 to $119 where the car is parked.

Can I still start the car with a dead fob?

Usually, yes. Many push-to-start cars read a fob with a dead cell when it is held right against the start button or placed in a backup slot the owner's manual points to. With a remote head key, the blade and chip still start the engine when the buttons are dead, because the chip needs no battery.

What does a key fob repair cost?

Anything from a few dollars for a cell up to a new key. A cell fitted where you parked runs $20 to $45, and re-pairing a fob you own is $79 to $119. A replacement costs $165 to $259 as a remote head key or $229 to $399 as a smart key. Dealers charge $120 to $200 to pair a fob alone.

Why is my key stuck in the ignition?

Most often the shifter is sitting just shy of Park, so the interlock will not release the key. Other causes are a steering lock under load, a flat car battery on cars with an electric release, a worn or bent key, and a worn cylinder. The first three usually cost nothing to sort out; the last two need a new key or cylinder.

My car is a manual. Why will the key not come out?

Because many manual cars need a release step before the key turns to Lock. Depending on the car, that means pushing the key in slightly, or pressing a small button or lever on the column, and the owner's manual shows which. If the release step does nothing, the cylinder or its release has probably worn.

What will a stuck key cost to fix?

Often nothing, because seating the shifter or rocking the wheel frees many stuck keys. When the cylinder has worn, replacing it at the car costs $179 to $349, matched to your current key, and dealer quotes run $350 to $700, tow not included. A key snapped in the cylinder is $89 to $149 to remove.

Should I pull harder if the key will not come out?

No. A stuck key is being held by something, and extra pull moves the load to the thinnest part of the blade, which is where keys snap. Go back through the shifter, the wheel and the battery. If none of them frees it, leave the key in place and call, since a whole key keeps the repair simpler than a snapped one.

Can a new key fix a key that keeps sticking?

Sometimes. If only one key sticks and the spare slides out cleanly, the sticky one is worn or bent, and a replacement chip key, priced $125 to $199 and cut and programmed on site, ends the problem. If every key for the car catches, the cylinder has worn and a new key helps only briefly; the lasting fix is replacing the cylinder.

Why does my spare key open the door but not start the car?

Because the door lock reads only the cuts, while the immobilizer checks for a chip it recognizes. A blade-only copy, a chip key nobody programmed, and a fob registered to another car all pass the first test and fail the second. A photo of the spare usually tells us which, and the fix starts at $125, drive included.

Can a hardware store copy be programmed to start my car?

Not if it has no chip, and most metal copies do not, so there is nothing inside for the car to learn. Some stores clone the chip for certain older cars, and a clone can work until the car's key list changes. A key programmed at the car as its own entry, from $125, is the version that lasts.

Can you program a spare key I bought online?

Often, if the chip, the blade profile and, for a fob, the part number all suit your car. Send a photo of the key and your VIN before ordering, since two chip generations can look identical and only one will start the engine. For a remote or fob you already own, the pairing visit is $79 to $119.

My spare worked before. Why doesn't it start the car now?

Most likely the car dropped it. Some makes forget any key that is absent when keys are programmed or a module is replaced, and a lost-keys job erases missing keys on purpose. On a push-to-start spare, a flat coin cell is the other common reason, and the start button test above tells you which.

Should my main key be there when you fix the spare?

Yes. One working key at the car keeps the spare at the normal key price, because the new key is simply added beside it. If nothing starts the car, the visit turns into an all-keys-lost visit, $60 more, and we need the registration or title plus a photo ID that matches it. Your main key gets tested again before we leave.

What does a replacement transponder key cost?

$125 to $199 at your car, with the blade cut, the chip programmed and every key tested, and no charge for the drive inside the county. Dealers typically quote $230 to $380 for the same key before tax. If no working key is left, ours rises by $60, and the dealer bill picks up a tow.

Will my car start with a key that has no chip?

Not if the car was built with an immobilizer. The blade turns the ignition, but the engine computer waits for a chip code it recognizes and, without one, holds back the starter, the fuel or the spark. A security light still flashing after you turn to on means the car did not read an approved chip.

Does a transponder key need a battery?

No. An antenna ring at the ignition switch energizes the chip for a split second, and the chip answers with its code. That is why a plain chip key can sit in a drawer for years and still start the engine. Buttons for locking and unlocking run on a coin cell, and a key with them is a remote head key.

Can I program a new transponder key myself?

On a few cars, if you already have enough working keys. Some older Fords and some other makes list an owner's manual routine that adds a key using two that already work. Most cars need a tool on the OBD-II port, and with one key or none, the tool is the only route.

How does your chip key compare with the dealer's?

It matches on the parts that matter. The key is new, carries the chip family the car was designed to read, comes from OEM or OEM-grade stock, and goes through the programming procedure the dealer's scan tool runs. Our warranty covers the key and the programming for a full year, and the business is licensed and insured.

How much is a laser-cut key?

$145 to $249, milled by code, programmed and tested at your car, with no added charge for driving to you. A dealer usually asks $270 to $450, tax extra. Losing every key adds $60 on our side, and the dealer route adds a tow, since the car has to be hauled to the dealer's shop.

Why does a laser-cut key cost more than an edge-cut chip key?

The blank is a heavier, more complex part, and cutting it takes a milling machine instead of an edge cutter. The bit has to hold exact depths along a channel on the face, which is slower and less forgiving than notching an edge. Chip programming afterward is about the same work on either key, so the difference sits in the blade.

Can a hardware store copy a laser-cut key?

Some can cut the metal, and many cannot. The blade needs a milling machine most kiosks lack, and even a clean copy has no chip the car has registered, so it unlocks the car and never fires the engine. A code-cut key programmed at the car does both jobs, and the key and its programming are warranted for a year.

My laser-cut key catches in the ignition. Is the key worn out?

Often it is, and a fresh key cut by code fixes it. Keys copied from copies, or carried for a decade, lose depth along the channel, and the ignition starts to catch. A code-cut blade restores factory depth. If a new key still sticks, the wear is inside the cylinder, and that is an ignition repair job, which runs $179 to $349.

Can you make a laser-cut key if every key is lost?

Yes, for $60 over the spare price. We decode the VIN, mill a matching blade and program the immobilizer from blank, no working key needed. Have the title or registration on hand, with a driver's license or other ID showing the same name. We also strip the lost key's code from the car at no charge, so it is useless for starting it.

How much does a remote head key cost to replace?

$165 to $259 at your car. That covers cutting the blade, registering the chip, pairing the buttons and our drive out, anywhere in the county. A dealer's typical quote is $300 to $450 before tax. If every key is lost, add $60 on our side; on the dealer side, add towing at $125 to $200.

The buttons on my key quit, but the car still starts. Is the key finished?

Usually not. Replace the coin cell first, using the same cell number as the one you remove. The chip that starts the engine draws no power from that cell, so dead buttons on a working key most of the time mean a flat battery. If fresh power does not wake them, the remote may need re-pairing at $79 to $119, or a new key if the transmitter failed.

Will you program a remote head key I bought online?

Often, if it matches and was never paired. The FCC ID, the part number and, on a Toyota, the chip letter must match your old key, and many remotes lock to the first car they learn. Send photos of the front and back first and we compare it with your VIN. Programming a key you bring is billed as fob programming ($79 to $119), and cutting its blade goes on the quote.

Why would a new key lock the doors but not start the car?

The remote got paired and the chip did not, or the chip is the wrong type. The two register separately, so one can work while the other fails. Toyota keys that look alike but carry a G versus an H chip are the classic case. Every key we make is started in the car, and every button pressed, before we leave.

Is a flip key priced differently from a fixed-blade remote key?

No, on most makes a flip key sits in the same $165 to $259 range. The chip, transmitter and blade share one housing either way and are cut, registered and paired identically. Volkswagen flip keys are the exception, quoted on the European key row because their programming takes more time and dealer-level tools.

Is a smart key the same thing as a keyless entry remote?

No. A keyless entry remote locks and unlocks when you press its buttons, and you still turn a key to start. A smart key also answers the car's antennas on its own, so the doors open at the handle and the start button does the rest. That extra hardware is why it costs more: $229 to $399 from us, and a dealer's $400 to $750.

Is it worth buying a second smart key before the first goes missing?

Yes, when you own only one. A spare added while a working fob exists skips the extra $60 for starting from zero and the ownership paperwork that job needs. At a dealer, losing the last fob also brings a $125 to $200 tow. A second fob runs $229 to $399 in your driveway, and the spare key page explains the visit.

Why does a smart key cost more than a chip key?

There is more inside it and more to program. A chip key is a blade and a passive chip, $125 to $199 from us. A smart key adds a transmitter, an antenna that hears the car, a battery and a hidden blade, and it must be enrolled for both starting and entry. So ours run $229 to $399, while dealers ask $400 to $750.

If someone finds my lost smart key, can they drive my car?

Not once we have been out, because the missing fob is erased from the list of keys the car trusts, at no charge, after the new one works. Until then the lost fob still opens and starts the car. A lost-keys visit is the smart key price plus $60, and you show a registration or title that matches your photo ID.

Can I add a new smart key to my car myself?

On most push-start cars, no. Adding a fob takes a programmer that talks to the immobilizer, and some makes also demand a PIN or an online login. A few owner's manuals describe an in-car routine when two working fobs are already on hand, so check yours first. If it has none, programming is part of our $229 to $399 price.

What does fobik mean?

It is Chrysler's own coinage, fob plus key, for a remote that doubles as the ignition key. The fob itself goes into the dash slot and turns. Dodge, Jeep, Ram and Chrysler vehicles used it from roughly 2008 to 2018, and a Dodge, Jeep or Ram replacement is $189 at your vehicle.

Will a fobik with a dead battery still start the engine?

Yes. The battery runs only the remote buttons. Once the fob is seated in the dash slot, the ignition node powers and reads the chip on its own, so the engine starts as usual. Getting in is the snag: open the driver door with the emergency blade hidden in its shell. A fresh coin cell, usually a CR2032, brings the buttons back.

My fobik will not turn in the dash. Is it the fob or the car?

It can be either. The fault can sit in the fob's chip or in the ignition node it plugs into, and a new fob only cures the first. We test both before selling anything. A new fobik for a Dodge, Jeep or Ram costs $189; a worn-out node is a separate repair at $279 to $695, explained on the page for that fault.

Is a fobik the same as a smart key?

No. A fobik has to be pushed into the dash slot and turned before the engine starts, while a smart key starts the engine from a pocket with a press of the button. They can look alike, so we check the VIN. For Dodge, Jeep and Ram, the fobik costs $189 here and the smart key $249, where dealers ask about $350 and $460.

What should I check before buying a fobik online?

Match three things to your current fob: the FCC ID on its case, the part number and the button layout. Buy it new, because most fobiks lock to the first vehicle that learns them. Text us a picture of its back before you order. Pairing a fob you bought costs $79 to $119 where the vehicle sits; see fob programming.

Is there a trip fee outside the City of San Diego?

No. The drive to any address in San Diego County is built into every price, from San Ysidro up to Oceanside and east to Alpine. What you hear quoted on the phone is what you pay once the key works, whether the car is around the corner from the van or across the county. Distance moves the arrival window, not the bill.

How long does it take you to arrive?

Typical arrival is 45 to 90 minutes during open hours, 7 AM to 9 PM every day. We give you a real window on the phone, set by where the van is and where your car sits, not a number that sounds good and then slips. Rush hour on the 5, the 8 and the 15 is what moves it most.

Do you come to parking lots and workplaces, or only homes?

Anywhere the car is parked and we can pull up beside it: a driveway, an apartment garage, a store lot, a job site or a campus lot. Programming happens at the car, so the car staying where it is makes the job simpler. If the lot has a gate or an attendant, mention it on the phone so we can plan how to get in.

Do you cover unincorporated areas like Spring Valley, Ramona and Fallbrook?

Yes. Unincorporated communities are part of San Diego County and get the same prices with the drive included. Spring Valley has its own page, and places such as Ramona, Fallbrook, Alpine and Bonita are on the route as well. The farther addresses tend to land toward the 90-minute end of the arrival window, and we say so when we quote.

What if my city is not listed on this page?

Call anyway, because every city in San Diego County is covered. The city pages exist where there is local detail worth reading, such as the dealer row people get sent to and the lots we work most, and they are not the edge of the map. Coronado, Imperial Beach, Del Mar and Solana Beach get the same pricing with no trip fee.

Can a broken key fob be fixed?

Why does my car crank but not start after my key broke?

Is a key fob ruined if it gets wet or goes through the wash?

Will a parts store fix my key fob?

One button on my key fob is not working. Does the whole fob need replacing?

Can a thief still start my car if they have my key?

Why won't my key work after my car was stolen and recovered?

How do I erase a stolen key from my car?

Should I rekey my car after my keys were stolen?

Does insurance cover reprogramming keys after a theft?

Does Costco make car keys?

Can AutoZone replace a key fob?

Can Home Depot make a car key with a chip?

Is a locksmith or the dealership better for a car key?

Does AAA cover a lost car key?

Do I have to go to the dealer for a key fob?

Can a locksmith program a key the dealer says is dealer only?

Why do dealers say only they can make my key?

Is a dealer key better than a locksmith key?

When should I go to the dealer for a key problem?

Can you program a Ford key with only one key?

How do I turn off MyKey without the admin key?

How do I find my Ford keypad code?

Why does my Ford say 2 keys programmed?

How much is a second key for an F-150?

Can a car key be programmed without the car there?

Will adding a new key erase my other keys?

What is an immobilizer PIN?

Is a key a locksmith programs as good as a dealer-programmed key?

What battery does a Toyota key fob take?

What battery does a Honda key fob take?

Is a CR2025 the same as a CR2032?

Will my car start if the key fob battery is dead?

Why does my older BMW key have no battery door?

Will my roadside assistance plan cover a lockout?

Why did my car lock itself with the key inside?

Will the alarm go off when the door is opened?

Can you open my car if the car battery is dead too?

Is it worth trying a slim jim or a wedge from the auto parts store?

Should I call the dealer first if I lose my only car key?

Can a hardware store or key kiosk make a key if I have none?

Can someone use my lost key to steal my car?

How soon can a new key be made?

What if I find the old key after the new one is made?

Is a spare car key worth buying if I have never lost one?

How much more does a key cost once every key is lost?

How many keys should a car shared by two drivers have?

Where should I not keep a spare car key?

Does a spare key ever stop working on its own?

Is it safe to surf with car keys?

What is a good place to hide car keys on my car?

Where do thieves look for hidden keys?

Will a key fob work after being submerged in water?

What should I do if my car keys are stolen at the beach?

Does a smart key have a transponder chip inside it?

Is a remote head key a type of smart key?

How can I tell which key my car takes?

Is a lost smart key more expensive to replace than a lost chip key?

Why do so many used cars only come with one key?

Is it safe to buy a used car with only one key?

My car dealership only gave me one key. What should I do?

How many keys come with a used car?

Can the previous owner still start my car?

What does a second key for a used car run?

Will a key fob from a junkyard work on my car?

How much is it to program a fob I bought myself?

Can a locked Toyota or Lexus smart key be reset?

Where is the FCC ID on a key fob?

Can a fob that was erased from my car be added back?

Why is programming a separate charge at the dealer?

Does paying the dealer's figure get a better key?

Why does losing every key add $60?

Will a fob I bought online bring the total down?

What does key not detected mean if the key is inside?

It means the car's antennas cannot hear the fob, usually because its coin cell is weak, sometimes because the fob is buried in a bag or radio noise drowns it out. Put the fob in contact with the start button, or with the fob backup location in the manual, and press start with the brake down. When that starts the engine, a new cell usually solves it.

Can I clear anti-theft mode myself, or does it cost money?

Often you can, at no cost. Many of these warnings clear if you wait them out: GM cars relearn the key after about 10 minutes in On, once the security light settles, and Ford's bulletin has the key rest 30 seconds in Run before a retry. Failing that, a tool relearn or reprogram costs $79 to $119 with us; dealers charge $120 to $200. Battery or wiring faults go to a mechanic.

Can a locksmith repair a worn ignition?

Yes. The worn or jammed lock is rebuilt or swapped where the car sits and matched to your present key. Ours is $179 to $349, and dealers usually come in at $350 to $700. The pages above name cars where the part is known to fail, such as Honda cylinders and Ford Escape lock housings. A key that turns normally while the engine will not crank is battery or starter work for a mechanic.

Which is better for a key problem, a locksmith or the dealership?

The dealer, when a recall or warranty extension makes the repair free; a locksmith at your car for most other key work. Put the VIN into nhtsa.gov/recalls first, and owners of turn-key Kias and Hyundais can ask about the free ignition protector. Otherwise the locksmith usually costs less, because there is no $125 to $200 tow and no waiting one to three days for an ordered key.

Is it always the key when a push-button car won't start?

No. A push-button car that refuses to start often has a weak 12-volt battery or a failed brake switch, and both are a mechanic's job. A fob problem usually puts a key warning on the dash, such as Key Not Detected. If the fob pressed against the button changes nothing and no key warning appears, call a mechanic first; we would say the same on the call.

Why won't my Honda key turn in the ignition?

How much does it cost to replace the ignition on a Honda Pilot?

Can you spray WD-40 in a Honda ignition?

How do I unlock the steering wheel on my Honda Civic?

Is a dealer or a locksmith the better call for a Honda ignition?

Does a Honda recall cover a key that won't turn?

My VW key won't come out of the ignition. What can I do?

How much does it cost to replace a VW ignition switch?

Was there a recall on the ignition switch for the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta?

Why is my VW key stuck in the ignition and won't turn off?

Do my keys still work after the lock housing is replaced?

My Passat says steering column lock defective. Is that the same repair?

Did Kia ever fix the theft problem?

How much does it cost to fix an ignition damaged in a theft attempt?

Does a Hyundai cost the same to repair as a Kia?

Can a Kia with a push button start be stolen?

How much does Kia charge for a replacement key?

Does insurance cover a Kia ignition damaged in a theft attempt?

Why won't my Dodge key turn in the ignition?

Can a locksmith program a WIN module?

My 2009 Dodge Journey won't turn over. What could be causing this?

Is there a recall on the Dodge WIN module?

What does "Bad Key" or "Damaged Key" on the dash mean?

How much does it cost to fix a Dodge key that won't turn?

How do I get my Chevy Malibu out of anti-theft mode?

Can the theft deterrent system cause a car not to start?

How do I reset the anti-theft system on a 2012 Chevy Malibu?

How do I get rid of Service Theft Deterrent System on a Chevy?

How much does it cost to get a car out of anti-theft mode?

Can a new battery set off the Service Theft Deterrent System?

Why won't my Chevy truck ignition let me turn the key?

My Chevy Silverado key won't turn. Is it the key or the ignition?

How much does it cost to fix a Chevy or GMC ignition?

Can a locksmith replace the ignition cylinder on a Silverado or Sierra?

Will my truck need a new key after the cylinder is replaced?

How much does a Ford ignition lock cylinder replacement cost?

Why is my Ford ignition not letting me turn the key?

Can a locksmith fix a Ford Escape or Focus ignition?

Will my Ford key still work after the ignition repair?

Is there a recall on the Ford Escape ignition?

Why do I have to push in on the key to make it start?

How much does it cost to fix a Nissan steering lock?

Is there a recall on the Nissan Altima steering lock?

Why is my Nissan not recognizing my key?

How do I get my Nissan Altima out of theft mode?

Will a new key fix a Nissan Altima that won't start?

Does the Infiniti G37 have the same steering lock problem?

Why will my Mercedes not start with a key?

Why is my key stuck in my Mercedes ignition and the car won't start?

How much does it cost to fix a Mercedes steering lock?

Can a locksmith fix a Mercedes ignition?

Is there a recall for the Mercedes C300 steering lock?

What does "Take your key from ignition" mean on a C300?

How much does it cost to replace a lost Subaru key?

Can a locksmith make a Subaru key without the original?

Do I have to tow my Subaru to the dealer for a new key?

Can a Subaru key be made from the VIN?

How long does a Subaru dealer take to make a key?

My Subaru dealer quoted a new module. Do I need one?

Does a locksmith cost less than the dealership for a lost Toyota key?

How much does it cost to replace a lost key in a Toyota?

How much does it cost to replace a genuine Toyota key?

Can a locksmith program a Toyota smart key?

Do I need to tow my Toyota to the dealer if I lost all the keys?

How much does a Lexus key cost when every key is lost?

What does keyless system malfunction mean on a Mazda?

Can I drive with the keyless system malfunction light on?

How do I reset the keyless system malfunction on a Mazda CX-5?

Why does my Mazda say key not detected?

Will an aftermarket key fob work on a Mazda?

What is the price to fix a Mazda keyless system malfunction?

Is there a fleet rate?

Every unit is priced from the public table, the same figure a private driver pays for that key. A rate card for volume is something we discuss by phone rather than print, so call (619) 340-1518 with the unit count and the makes you run before the visit is booked.

Do the vehicles all have to be at one yard?

No, but each vehicle has to be somewhere we can pull up beside it, because the key is programmed at the car. The yard is simplest, since the van works down one row. A truck parked at a job site or a driver's home gets its own call at the same table price, with no trip fee.

What do you need from us before the visit?

A unit list with the year, make and model of each vehicle, the VIN where you have it, and which units still have a working key. From that we price every key and tell you which units need proof of ownership. Send it through the form on this page or text it to (619) 340-1518.

What happens with a unit that has no key at all?

It is priced as a lost-key job: the table price for that key plus $60, which pays for reading the key code off the VIN and setting up the immobilizer from blank. We need the paperwork that shows the business owns or is responsible for the car, plus ID for the person signing. Once the new key works, the missing one is erased from the vehicle at no charge.

Do car lots get a different rate?

Every car is billed at the public table price, the same figure any driver sees, and the $60 no-key add is the same too. A rate card for steady volume is a phone conversation rather than a printed number. Call (619) 340-1518 with a rough monthly count and the makes you buy most.

Can you make a key when the car came with none?

Yes. We pull the key code from the VIN, cut the blade on the van and program the immobilizer from scratch, at that key's table price plus $60. Have ready the paperwork that shows the business owns or is responsible for the car, along with ID for the signer. Once the new key starts the car, the lost one is wiped from its memory at no charge.

How soon can you get to the lot?

The van typically pulls in 45 to 90 minutes after you call, any day from 7 AM to 9 PM. With the common makes, the key is often on the van, so those cars are usually done the same day you call. If a key has to be ordered, you hear that with the quote so the car can be scheduled around it.

What does the warranty cover on keys for a lot?

The same as any driver gets: a full year on each key we make, covering the key itself, its remote and the programming. For a fob your lot bought elsewhere, coverage is on the programming alone. The warranty page spells out what counts as a claim, and what does not, such as a key lost again.

What does the warranty cover?

The key, the remote and the programming, for one year on every key we make. In practice that means the blade and chip we supplied, the buttons on a remote or smart fob from us, and the pairing to your car. A fob you supplied yourself is covered for the programming only.

Is a lost key covered?

No. Losing a key again means a new key, priced from the public table rather than handled as a claim. With another working key it is a spare; with none, add $60 for pulling the code from the VIN and programming from scratch. After a lost-keys job the missing key is erased from the car at no charge.

Why is the battery not covered?

Because a coin cell is a wear part that drains with use, not a fault in the key or the programming. When a remote stops locking the doors, try a fresh cell first, and we tell you which one on the phone. If the buttons still do nothing with a new cell in place, that is a warranty call.

What if I bought the fob online?

We cover the programming for one year, and the fob itself stays with its seller. It has to be new or never paired to another car, which we check on the phone before driving. If the pairing drops within the year, that is ours; a split case or a dead circuit board goes back to the seller.

How long does the warranty last?

One year from the day we made the key, and that single year covers the key, the remote and the programming together. If something feels off late in the year, call before the date passes rather than after, because settling on the phone whether it counts takes a minute and guessing helps nobody.