Diagnosis8 min
All keys lost: what actually happens and why it takes longer
There's a real technical reason losing your last key costs several times more than losing your second-to-last one. Here's what happens under the dash.
ReadGuides
What we'd tell you on the phone, written down.
Written by people who do this work daily. Where the honest answer is “that’s a five-dollar battery” or “the dealer is your only option here”, that’s what these say.
Costs
What car key replacement actually costs in Louisville
Why one shop quotes $90 and another quotes $600 for what sounds like the same job — and how to tell which number is real before anyone shows up.
Read the guideDiagnosis7 min
Cranks but won't start: how to tell if it's the immobilizer
People replace fuel pumps over this. The engine is usually fine — it's being denied permission to run, and the symptom pattern gives it away.
ReadDiagnosis6 min
Your key fob stopped working: what to check before you buy one
A replacement fob can run $400. A coin cell runs $4. Work through this list before you assume the expensive answer.
ReadCosts8 min
Why European car keys cost so much more
It isn't a luxury tax. There are specific technical reasons, and understanding them tells you which shops can actually do the work.
ReadBuying5 min
You bought a used car with one key. Do this now.
The previous owner might still have a working key to your car. You have no way of knowing — but you can make it stop working in about ten minutes.
ReadSecurity7 min
How to avoid locksmith scams in Louisville
The locksmith industry has a well-documented fraud problem. Here's the actual mechanism, and the four questions that defeat it.
ReadDiagnosis8 min
Does your car really need a new ECU?
A shop quoting you for a new engine module is quoting a large number. It's worth knowing what a genuine ECU failure looks like first.
ReadLocal5 min
What to expect when a mobile locksmith arrives
Knowing what a normal visit looks like is the easiest way to recognize one that isn't.
ReadStill not sure what you're dealing with?
Describe the symptom on the phone. We'll tell you what it takes — including when it's something you can fix yourself for a few dollars.
Answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — including holidays.