Key broken off in car wafer lock...

[Sbecspeledrx]

Hiya folks.
A key has snapped in a car wafer lock, and i need to get the snapped piece out so i can sticky tape the thing together and cut a new key . If i put the remainder of the key in the keyhole, push and turn then the lock still operates, so all the pieces i need are in the lock. How would you get the snapped end back out?

It's a nissan if that helps.

[Keyring]

You just need something thin which can hook over the far end of the key. There are special tools available but they are really just what I said first. You could make something by cutting a junior hacksaw blade down thinner, and use it to hook over the back. (The teeth would make a nice shape to catch on the key part.)

The trick is to manoever it past (over the top of) the pins, or wafers, so as the reach the back of the broken key part. So the opposite side of the hook bit should be gently rounded.

Sorry if that sounds vague.

[Jason13]

Is the key rite in or is ti sticking out a tiny bit but you just cant get a grip of it?

[Shrub]

You dont need to go to the back of the lock you can try to hook the first cut if its a loose fit like most car keys otherwise open the door remove the door card and then remove the lock from the door, you can then push it out a lot easier.

If you have lockpicks you should have an extractor.

A straightened out fish hook would probably be the best thing for you if you dont have the proper tool.

[Sbecspeledrx]

Would / could a diamond pick do it?

[devnill]

A straightened out fish hook would probably be the best thing for you if you dont have the proper tool.

[Sbecspeledrx]

Is the key rite in or is ti sticking out a tiny bit but you just cant get a grip of it?

Nothing sticking out - it's right in the lock and in the correct place, broken about half way down the key.

Thanks shrub and keyring, I'll keep those things in mind. Any other ideas appreciated. I'm going to try and help in 8 hours (and sleeping in between) so the more ideas i have to work with by then the better!

[Sbecspeledrx]

Shrub - what's the door card?

[Shrub]

I think you will find a normal pick too big.

The door card is the covering on the inside of the door that has the handle etc on it, some are just clipped on and others screwed on but most are a combination of the two,
You will find a little clip holding the window winder on if manual winders, and usually some screws holding the armrest/handle on, the openoing handle surround will just clip on unless there is a small screw behind it which you undo by holding the handle open and unscrewing it, the rest should be on clips.

Once off carefully peel off the plastic covering thats usually clear and then undo the lock from its rods, then slip the clip off the back of the lock and the lock will pop out on the outside of the door.
Some locks are held in by a back nut or some are held in by other methods but i think the nissans use a clip that you slide off.

Try a fish hook or make somthing like keyring suggested and you will be fine, remove the lock as a last resort, car keys are usually a sloppy fit in the lock.

[Shrub]

The door card is basically the trim on the inside of the door.

[Kevo]

hahahaha. No I am not laughing at you. I am laughing because I have seen so many instances of this. It happened to my neighbor once. It happened to my brothers friend in his truck in the ignition. On his truck it was broken so far down that all you needed to do was put a knife in and twist and the car started. He never got it out either. It happened to my ride home once and it sucked. the funny thing was we were talking about it happening before it happened. well, just thought i would tell that story.

I dont really think you could grab on to it with a diamond. you need something that has a back angle on it so you can push it in and hook it and pull it out. Like a barb on a fish hook. like the other guy said.
like this expert drawing.
/________________

[scampdog]

the easiest way i find,is to grind an old hook down as thin as you can, but try and leave a tiny hook on the end,this will then go over the pins,and let you pull out the broken bit

[weldman]

Hiya folks.
A key has snapped in a car wafer lock, and i need to get the snapped piece out so i can sticky tape the thing together and cut a new key . If i put the remainder of the key in the keyhole, push and turn then the lock still operates, so all the pieces i need are in the lock. How would you get the snapped end back out?

It's a nissan if that helps.

what i would do here is get some metal epoxy and put some on the end of a small bar and then stick it to the key in the lock....wait like 7 minutes and pull it out.....

dremel the stuff off and use it again to get the key boack together

[Shrub]

NEVER EVER put any substance like glue into a lock, its not the best way to pull a broken key out but risks damageing the whole lock meaning a full strip down and service.

[HeadHunterCEO]

if it is the ignition lock turnn it to acc and remove the ignition . dismantle and repair

if it is the door lock then take out the lock and dismantle it.

if you are asking questions like this then maybe you ain't ready to fish out 50% of the key.

tyake it apart see how it works and remember it for next time