"All Keys Lost" Is a Specialty Service
Replacing a car key when you have a working spare is one job. Making a brand-new car key when you have nothing — no working key, no spare, nothing — is a different (and more involved) job. In the locksmith trade this is called "all keys lost" and not every shop can do it.
Auburn Lock & Car Keys is set up for it. We carry the equipment, the blanks, and the programming tools needed to make car keys from scratch on most vehicles, on-site, without towing.
Why It's More Complex Without an Existing Key
When you have a working key, programming a new one is easy: the car's computer trusts the existing key's authority to add new keys. Without that authority, we have to bypass or reset the car's security system through the OBD-II port, which involves:
- Connecting to the vehicle's immobilizer through diagnostic equipment
- Authenticating with manufacturer-level security access
- Often waiting through a manufacturer-imposed security timer (10-60 minutes on some vehicles)
- Programming new keys into a fresh authorization slot
- Optionally deactivating any "lost" keys still floating around
Common "All Keys Lost" Situations
- Genuinely lost the only working key — Single-key household, key disappeared, no backup
- Both keys lost / stolen — The whole house got cleaned out, or you lost the originals years ago and never replaced them
- Bought a used car with no working keys — Common at estate sales, repos, abandoned vehicles, online auctions, even some private sales
- Inherited a vehicle — Family member passed, you got the car, no one knows where the keys went
- Old vehicle that sat for years — Family vehicle in storage with the keys long forgotten
- Vehicle from a tow yard / impound — Recovered theft cases, abandoned vehicles, etc.
What We Need From You
- Year, make, and model of the vehicle
- VIN — helps us pre-load programming software and the right blank. Find it on the dashboard at the windshield, on the driver's door jamb sticker, or on the title / registration
- Proof of ownership — Title, registration, or recent bill of sale matching your photo ID. This is non-negotiable. We don't make keys for vehicles without proof of ownership.
- The vehicle in a reasonable location — Driveway, parking lot, anywhere we can park next to it and work for an hour or two
What We Can Handle vs. What Requires a Dealer
Most vehicles — we handle on-site. Some specialty European luxury vehicles (newer Mercedes, BMW G-series, some Audi / Range Rover 2018+) still require dealer programming for all-keys-lost situations because the security systems are designed to only respond to manufacturer-authenticated tools. We'll tell you upfront based on your VIN whether we can do yours or whether a dealer tow is your only option. Call (253) 796-8550 to find out.
