Lost every key to the car, need a spare before you lose the only one, or standing next to a locked door with the keys inside. 844 Ohio Key is a mobile automotive locksmith. We cut and program car keys on site across Columbus and Central Ohio, for most makes and model years.
A dealership can do this too, usually at a higher price, on their schedule, and only after the car is towed to them. We come to the car.
Car key replacement when every key is lost
This is the call we get most. No key at all, nothing to copy from.
We cut a new key to your vehicle and program it to the car’s immobilizer on the spot, so the engine recognizes it. Most standard transponder keys around Columbus start at $175, and that price already includes coming out to you.
Full details on car key replacement, including what we ask you on the phone and what moves the price.
Spare and second keys
Cheapest day to get a second key is any day before you lose the first one. Once all keys are gone, the job is bigger and costs more.
Duplicate transponder keys start as low as $75. If your car only came with one key when you bought it, this is the single best thing you can do for it.
Upgrading a cheap or basic key
Bought a used car that came with an aftermarket push-to-start fob that barely works, or a plain transponder key with no remote at all.
If your vehicle supports it, we can set you up with a proper remote key: lock, unlock, trunk, and panic from the fob. Tell us the year, make and model and we will tell you what your car supports.
Key fob replacement and programming
Lost the fob, dropped it one too many times, or it went through the wash? We supply a replacement and program it at your vehicle, using OEM or reliable aftermarket fobs from our own stock, so most cars don’t wait on an order.
If you already bought a fob online, we can program it to your vehicle. One caution worth knowing: fobs sold cheaply online are sometimes the wrong part number or already locked to another vehicle. Send us the part number before you buy and we will check it for you.
Car lockouts
Picking the lock is our first move, and that’s the real difference between us and most of what answers the phone in Columbus. No slim jims, no air wedges forced into your door frame, no prying on a door that costs real money to straighten out afterward.
We pick most Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep locks, most Fords up to the high security keys, and most GM vehicles. On a Mercedes, BMW or Audi, picking is the way it should be done rather than the traditional methods, because the wrong approach on those doors gets expensive fast. Semis too. Some cars don’t allow it, and when that happens we use the safest method for that vehicle and tell you what we’re doing before we do it.
A standard daytime car lockout around Columbus is $85 for most vehicles when unlocking the front cabin.
Ignition repair
Key will not turn, or it is stuck in the ignition. Usually the cause is wear, often from a heavy keyring hanging off the key, and sometimes it is a known problem with the model itself, like the steering lock issues on some Honda and Volkswagen vehicles. We repair and replace ignitions on site, so there is no tow to a dealership or a mechanic who would replace the whole steering column.
What we work on
Most makes and model years, including:
- European vehicles.
- Newer Ford and GM.
- Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep.
- Motorcycles.
- Push-to-start and smart key systems.
- Standard transponder keys and remote head keys.
What it costs
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard transponder key, all keys lost | From $175 |
| Duplicate transponder key | From $75 |
| Push-to-start fob, duplicate | From $175 |
| Car lockout | $85 front cabin of most cars, daytime around Columbus |
These prices include coming out to you within the Columbus area. Areas further out carry a higher trip charge, which we tell you on the phone before we head out.
Push-to-start pricing depends on whether you still have a working key. A duplicate costs less than an all-keys-lost job, so have your year, make and model ready when you call and we will give you the real number.
Where we work
We come to your vehicle anywhere in Columbus and Central Ohio: driveways, parking lots, workplaces, tow yards.
Our East Columbus and West Columbus locations are also available by appointment if you would rather bring the vehicle to us.
Open every day, 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
Common questions
Can you make a key if I lost all of them?
Yes. That is a normal job for us. We cut and program a new key at the vehicle.
How long does a car key take?
Most standard transponder keys are done within an hour of arriving, depending on the vehicle.
Is a locksmith cheaper than the dealership?
Usually, and you skip the tow. The dealer needs the car at their shop; we come to it.
Will you damage my door during a lockout?
We use only professional lockout tools and do not use slim jims or pry the door with tools that leave marks. Most of the time we pick the lock.
Can you program a fob I bought online?
Yes, as long as it is the correct part and not already locked to another vehicle. Send us the part number before you buy.
Do you make motorcycle keys?
Yes, along with ATVs, UTVs, scooters and most other powersport vehicles. If it has a key or a fob, ask us.
How do I pay?
Card, tap to pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, cash, Venmo, Zelle or Cash App. Payment is due when the work is finished. Businesses with an account can be invoiced if we agree that in advance.