Broke the part of my key that goes into the keychain, how to fix?

[PoPPeR]

It's a Lexus key which would cost 250$ to replace so I can't go that route...

My question is... Can I drill a hole through the center of the key where the Lexus logo is, and then just use a circular key chain to hold it? I've almost lost my keys so many times that I really need to solve this (without paying 250$ for a new key). Would drilling a hole effect the key in any way or possibly dismantle the entire thing?

EDIT: Those pictures didn't turn out too well.

 

[pac1085]

I'm guessing since it costs $250 it has some sort of electronic chip in it and youd probably drill right through it.

 

[PoPPeR]

well the key is old, its for a 1991 Lexus LS400, and there's no buttons on it, its just a key that locks/unlocks the car. No wireless lock/unlock or alarm or trunk, just a simple key with the Lexus part over it. Whether or not that means there's no chip in it i'm not sure, that's what i was hoping you guys would know or could help me find

 

[Nocturnal]

Originally posted by: PoPPeR
well the key is old, its for a 1991 Lexus LS400, and there's no buttons on it, its just a key that locks/unlocks the car. No wireless lock/unlock or alarm or trunk, just a simple key with the Lexus part over it. Whether or not that means there's no chip in it i'm not sure, that's what i was hoping you guys would know or could help me find

Are you sure you can't make a copy of the key? Who told you it would be $250.00? Try and see if your insurance will cover your key.

 

[Freejack2]

$250 for a fricken key? That thing better have a chip in it. If not that's a total rip. Take it to a locksmith store and get a copy made.

 

[Ornery]

Ditto. You're not understanding what that chip does. It's an anti theft thing. When it's in the ignition, your car "can tell" it's the owner's key.

Get creative with some plastic and epoxy. You can do it!

 

[PoPPeR]

yeah I had no idea that a chip inside a key could have anti-theft protection when in the ignition. I called them up, expecting a lot lower since the key has no special features other then being a key (that i know of at least). But Lexus of Concord told me 250$, I'll try a key person tomorrow and see if that works.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: PoPPeR
yeah I had no idea that a chip inside a key could have anti-theft protection when in the ignition. I called them up, expecting a lot lower since the key has no special features other then being a key (that i know of at least). But Lexus of Concord told me 250$, I'll try a key person tomorrow and see if that works.

If it has a chip, then you will not be able to just go to a locksmith.

 

[ChrisIsBored]

Chewing gun... and tin foil...

Truthfully you might want to find someone who has experience (or just the tools) to do some metal work. You can find some sort of small strip of metal and weld it onto the key kind of like new....

 

[PoPPeR]

jewelery repair shop?

 

[Ornery]

• This will work.

 

[Justin218]

does that screw open the key? Open it up and see where it would be safe to drill a hole.

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: PoPPeR
jewelery repair shop?

popper....if that key costs that much you do have an anti theft device...dont drill that key anywhere....they whole thing is basically a radio transmitter....you can either pay the dealer, or ask the service writer (the guy who tells you what you need), if any of his guys wants to make a couple bucks...I know for a fact that the key only costs about 20 bucks and the rest is for "programming"....so all you have to do is get one of the shop guys to program the key...I usually left a fifty on the counter and that was all it took.


ps...i did car audio/remote start install for a long time, and part of that was bypassing anti theft devices....it will work

 

[PoPPeR]

wow, this is a almost a picture perfect diagram of what my key looks like, except for one minimal but so big difference... the right side of my key is undrillable because its broken off almost to the big part, no drill is gonna be big enough to fit a pin through there. Oh well, i'll try asking the Lexus guys if they want to make a couple of bucks

 

[Colt45]

just fill the whole far side (area that broke) with epoxy. use some tape or similar as a mold for the epoxy.

you might want to sand the area of the key wehre the epoxy will attatch to, for better bonding

once the epoxy s dry, drill a hole through it and stick in a key ring.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I don't think those antitheft chips existed in 1991. The Lexus keys are weird, though, and I don't think a regular key-cutting machine could make one. I seem to recall they have the key surface milled out in the middle, rather than cut on the sides. I would call around to some locksmiths, because I can't believe $250 is a fair price for this.

 

[MikeMike]

DUCKTAPE

just tape it back up so it looks like a circle again to put back on your keychain