Our passenger door lock has a broken key in it from the previous owner.
Is there a simple way to get it out or does it have to be a locksmith thing?

Can't see the obstruction, but the key will only go in about half way.

Thanks for any help.

 

Robn Hood: Men in tights.........



"Call a locksmith...................... Call a locksmith................. Call a locksmith....................Call a lock smitthhhhhhh....... "


Can you imagine snaking/drilling the key out? I cant......

 

It can be done IF you have the skills to remove the latch assembly. And that's easy - Pop one interior garnish plate off, remove three bolts, unhook several linkages and take into the house. From there you remove the tumbler and using a pick and some PB blaster - pry the key out.


If I had the car here I could do it in say.....30minutes. Care to beat me at it ?



Later

 

This man doth speaketh the Truth.
Those of us that have fixed the little illuminator light or worked on the lock itself could indeed easily fix this broken key problem. It really isn't that difficult.
If it was me, I would call a locksmith and get a quote, and once you pull yourself back up off the ground from shock, go take your door apart.
IF the quote is say...under $100....then I'd let him do it.

 

Tom, I've got one I guarantee you can't get out (guess how I'm sure). I'll give you $50 If you can honestly get it out without ruining the tumbler assembly.

 

get a magnet,... shouldnt be too hard to get out imo. tweezers?

 

Neither of those options has a high chance of success. The tweezers MIGHT work if there is large enough piece of the key sticking out but typically the key actually breaks below flush to the lock. The magnet simply won't work as there is not enough contact surface for even the most powerful magnet to 'grab' (you will usually grab the whole lock or even the door itself) but more importantly...stock Mazda keys are NOT magnetic. I have three and just tried them all against a magnet and...nothing. They are made of a non-ferrous metal.

 

You know I love a challenge Lance - bring it on. Send me the tumbler assembly and I'll see what I can do for you. I PM'd my address to you.

LAter

 

Most keys are brass, chrome plated. What usually happens is the key twist inside the tumbler and then snaps. This makes the key "wedged" in the works ; )


LAter

 

Oh Tom it's SOOO ON!!! PM replied

 

They make tools that you can use to extract broken keys from locks. They are pretty simple to use. I'm a locksmith for a rental company, but I only work on residential locks. It may be harder to use on a car, especially if you can't see the key.
http://www.lockpickshop.com/MEX-4.html

 

My locksmith removed it for free, took like a minute. But my light is broken!

 

We'll fix that lock folks.....but for now we'll put down the tools, and the shop manuals, lock up the car and sit down to reflect all the nice things we have....and be thankful.

Merry Christmas Forum members




Later

 

Your light is broken??? LOL, WHAT!!!???

 

the light is easy to replace.

 

LOL, keys aren't magnetic.

 

w.e.. lol

does anyone have a picture of the light? ive never seen an rx7 with it. mine are both out since i got the car and so is my friends.

 

A quick search will give you what you desire....

 

The light bulb is the smallest light bulb made on the planet. The light bulb illuminates the key hole so you can insert the key without missing the slot. Now if you have problems occassionally missing the "slot" then you most definitely need it, if not then forget about it. It's more of a hassle to fix it and then you will need the clear door for it to work....and the clear door ALWAYS breaks and is replaced with a homemade ss or aluminum door.


Ps - the light is only on the driver side door


LAter

 

I saw what you done

 

 

^ and yes, the clear plastic 'door' is missing...my fix held for about a year and then disappeared. Light still works though.

 

UPDATE - I got home today after a hard days work outside in this freekin freezin weather. Waiting for me were several packages. One was from Lance
( Mano4lamar ). As promised he sent the door assembly. I could not wait to light into it. Now I have took a lot of photos of it during the breakdown, but I have some good news and bad news.

Here is the good news...

 

^ and the bad news?

 

So, what is the bad news ?? Well.....Lance, did you have a girlfriend or someone mad at you ? Because the root cause of the failure appears to be Super Glue !

Yes I found a hard substance that coated the first two tumblers and effectively locked your key in place once inserted. It was some tough stuff that eventually came off by moving the broken key back and forth and working each individual tumbler. After the key was extracted I removed each tumbler and cleaned it, greased and re-inserted. Your spare key that you included slides in nicely now.


How do you want me to proceed ? Do you want the door latch assembly cleaned and painted Semi-gloss black, greased, and polished up ? This assembly is really nice to have for a spare. Also you are missing the little door. The spring for the door is the most important part and it's missing.

It took me exactly 1 hour to extract the broken key.



Later