OK XGP, what do I do? (Key broke in lock)

My morning today started out really s**tty.

To keep it short....the one & only key I have for my 1989 Dodge Ram van broke off in the door lock! About 1/2 the key is stuck in there.

I was able to get in the van. That's not the issue. The problem now is that I have no way to START the damn thing (it won't start w/ 1/2 a key).

If I can get the other 1/2 of the key, I can have a copy made. I figure I have a few choices:

-Try to 'fish' the other half of the key out of the door (VERY difficult & I don't have the right tools for it).

-Take apart the door panel to get at the door lock mechanism, take the lock mechanism apart to get the other 1/2 of the key.

-Hire a locksmith (I don't relish spending $100-$200 on this s**t).

-BREAK the ignition, so I can start the van w/o a key.

I'm not adverse to the last choice there, but I don't know how to do it w/o breaking the ignition. Can I simply put sufficient pressure on the turning mechanism to turn it w/o a key? (i.e. Maybe jam a screwdriver into it & 'break' it lose)?

HELP!

[Mithrus]

Get a very powerful magnet.

I tried one I did have this morning when it happened. It's either not powerful enough or the key is too 'stuck'.

[Da Rafsta]

Call a locksmith. $85-$150..........sorry to hear.

[Mithrus]

Take some super glue and dab it on the half of the key you do have. Then quickly attach it to the key that is bgroken off in the lock. Let it dry, and then pull it out.

[DJSteel]

1. Find a thin-bladed piece of serrated metal. A broken coping saw blade is perfect, if you happen to have one.

2. Determine which way the key is oriented. You'll want to work from the side with the teeth, not the smooth side.

3. Slide the serrated blade into the keyhole so that the key and blade are tooth-to-tooth.

4. Push the blade in far enough for its teeth to grab the key's teeth.

5. Draw the blade out slowly and smoothly.

Thanks DJ. I'll try that.

Mithrus. You did the same web search I did & found the site neowin.net, huh?

I may try that screwdriver & glue trick, but I'll have to buy some super glue first.

[Mithrus]

Originally Posted by Frag Monger

Thanks DJ. I'll try that.

Mithrus. You did the same web search I did & found the site neowin.net, huh?

I may try that screwdriver & glue trick, but I'll have to buy some super glue first.

Honestly, no, that came out of my head. But it makes sense, so I could see you finding it on the internet somewhere. You just have to make sure that you don't get glue on anything but the two parts of the key, otherwise it may not come out.

Yeah. That's my fear w/ that method.

[DJSteel]

why not just call a locksmith...if you can drop ~2,000 like you are, what is another 85 bucks...

[Mithrus]

Originally Posted by DJSteel

why not just call a locksmith...if you can drop ~2,000 like you are, what is another 85 bucks...

I'll agree with that.

[Bobby Crougar]

You could always put your mouth to it and....

SUCK

Originally Posted by DJSteel

why not just call a locksmith...if you can drop ~2,000 like you are, what is another 85 bucks...

Saving up for the Xbox & all those gifts for my wife took months. I'm broke, and all the $$ from my next paycheck is earmarked for holiday stuff (we're going to have house guests for 2 weeks & need the extra $$$ to pay for food, heat, eating out, etc. etc.)

Besides, I just don't wanna drop $100 - $200 unless it's really necessary.

[Brenton]

Yeah just get a lock smith. Shouldn;t cost that much if he's close by.

[imported_Firestorm]

How did you manage to get the key broken in the lock anyways?