Author Topic: Lost Ignition Key (Read 16365 times)

rreschran · « **on:** July 24, 2005, 04:17:47 PM »

Hi All, ... hope your day is goign well and Eagles are on you mind like they are on mine!

I've lost the ignition key to my 85' Wagon. I live 75-miles from the city and mobile key services won't come to where the car is parked. It would cost $170 to have th car towed to the closest key maker and he can't guarantee that he can impression cut a key with any accuracy that wouldn't cause additional problems to the ignition switch.

Do you know if, by providing the VIN and identification papers to a dealership, could they cut a key based on the VIN?

Loosing my keys has proven to be a big hastle, but I won't give up the search. If you have an ideas, ... your input would be greatly appreciated.

Randy Resch
Alpine, California

way2phastphil · « **Reply #1 on:** July 24, 2005, 04:21:06 PM »

Can you remove the ignition lock, and take it to get a key made? As far as I know, the only way a dealer could cut a key was if you had the little "key code" number that came w/ the car. Ask a dealer, maybe they can. They worst thng they can say is "No."

eagle88 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 24, 2005, 05:35:04 PM »

just purchase a new key switch. I would think they are the same as 70's model GM's You can probably buy a lock plate remover and the keylock for less than getting one made.

ACDelco D1402B 21.00
any good sized parts store should carry the remover and installer tool.

Gil-SX4 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 24, 2005, 08:17:39 PM »

Most any good loock smit should have the code book if they where willing to spen the money to buy it.

IowaEagle · « **Reply #4 on:** July 25, 2005, 06:59:14 AM »

I agree, you will be money ahead by replacing the lock cylinder your self. And then get some extra keys made.

EAGLER · « **Reply #5 on:** July 25, 2005, 06:59:35 PM »

so there is always a most cheap way to repair that instead of changing whole switch, why don´t you just pull off the cylinder and go with a locksmith, as far as i know this is cheapest

rreschran · « **Reply #6 on:** July 26, 2005, 10:10:31 PM »

Thank you all for your excellent advice. This gives me some direction in getting new keys made.
Have a great day.

Randy Resch
Alpine, California

rmedon · « **Reply #7 on:** July 26, 2005, 10:38:19 PM »

The door lock should be the same key. Might be easier to just pull a door lock and get the key made off of that lock cylinder. It would save messing with the ignition switch/steering column.

IowaEagle · « **Reply #8 on:** July 26, 2005, 10:55:32 PM »

Great suggestion Rich. They are much easier to remove and less chance of something going wrong.

blondedriver · « **Reply #9 on:** July 27, 2005, 12:45:07 AM »

the same huh?? my 86 sedan has a seprate key for the doorand the ignition.

eagle88 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 27, 2005, 12:49:27 AM »

my 88 also is just the one key for the ignition, and the other key for the doors tailgate and glovebox.

IowaEagle · « **Reply #11 on:** July 27, 2005, 07:07:37 AM »

Another '88 quirk? That one does not make much sense almost all auto makers, even AMC, went to the same key for the ignition and doors in the 70's and 80's until the single key systems came around. The only thing the oval key fits on my SX/4 is the glove box.

Svelte_SX · « **Reply #12 on:** July 27, 2005, 11:05:30 AM »

I can turn the ignition and start my '82 SX/4 without any key in it. My one square key fits the doors and the rear hatch, and I'm assuming it also fits the ignition. I don't have a round key.

eagle88 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 27, 2005, 05:33:30 PM »

my 83 parts car also had two keys, square one for the ignition and oval one for everything else.

Gil-SX4 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 27, 2005, 05:34:46 PM »

Usualy the vehicles that come with one key for the ignition and locks are the fleet vehicles.

rmedon · « **Reply #15 on:** July 27, 2005, 10:06:18 PM »

I have two keys, but the oval one only works on the trunk. The square one fits the ignition and doors. Sorry, I thought this was the standard set up, unless a lock cylinder had been swapped out at some time.

EAGLER · « **Reply #16 on:** July 28, 2005, 02:52:22 PM »

ok guys i think this take us back at the beginning so the best way to redone the key is by pulling out the cylender key rigth

IowaEagle · « **Reply #17 on:** July 28, 2005, 02:56:43 PM »

It sounds like there are two "basic" options here: If the door lock and ignition were the same it may be easier to remove a door lock and have a lock smith make a key for it. If they are not the same it sounds like you need to pull the ignition lock and either replace it or get it rekeyed.

EAGLER · « **Reply #18 on:** July 28, 2005, 03:11:40 PM »

i´ll vote for the second option doug it is much more complicated but much more secure for not to fail

Blackfoot · « **Reply #19 on:** September 30, 2005, 07:44:23 PM »

Interesting info, my 84 has 2 keys, square for the ignition, and the oval for the trunk, door and glovebox. My ignition cylenger is wore out, so I very seldome take the keys out of my pocket, only to unlock the doors and tunk. I can lock the ignition, turn it to ACCS or start it without a key.

I prefer it this way.

01duse · « **Reply #20 on:** November 30, 2005, 07:47:12 PM »

My 82 SX/4 has a round key for the door + hatch and the square is for the ignition. The ignition locked-up on me this summer and I had to pull the cylinder and start it with a screwdriver to get me home(took some doin, though!). Once I was home, I pulled the steering wheel and cleaned everything up. I had an 85 S-10 Blazer in the back yard with the steering wheel already off so all it took was the removal of one Torx screw and out she came. The Blazer ignition was an exact fit and the SX/4 already had the hole pre-drilled for the Torx setscrew. Works perfectly....

IowaEagle · « **Reply #21 on:** November 30, 2005, 07:49:48 PM »

Yup -- it should, AMC used GM steering columns and ignition switch components.

redneckjames · « **Reply #22 on:** December 08, 2010, 11:00:34 PM »

take the old switch out, start with screwdriver, drive to store, BUY NEW ONE.... did the same thing in my 85 its like 15bucks and 20 minutes worth of work....

doneagle · « **Reply #23 on:** January 29, 2011, 01:27:41 PM »

my 82 is a one owner car and only has one key for every thing .the 83 has tow keys the 84 has two keys .so i thank it was a yearly thing .some have had the door cly mached to the ingnion so they have one key . don

AMC lifer · « **Reply #24 on:** June 06, 2011, 08:01:49 PM »

Quote from: Blackfoot on September 30, 2005, 07:44:23 PM

Interesting info, my 84 has 2 keys, square for the ignition, and the oval for the trunk, door and glovebox. My ignition cylenger is wore out, so I very seldome take the keys out of my pocket, only to unlock the doors and tunk. I can lock the ignition, turn it to ACCS or start it without a key. I prefer it this way.

My '88 is like this. I also prefer it like this. The oval one is for the hatch, glove box, & door. I hate driving my wife's cars as you need to put the key in first, this just slows you down. My '77 Pacer did this as well. My niece wonders where I get these cars.

philotomy · « **Reply #25 on:** June 06, 2011, 09:43:13 PM »

Mine turns without a key,have you tried that? I keep a kill switch hooked up in a nearby spot(for the fuel pump).

doneagle · « **Reply #26 on:** June 07, 2011, 09:05:44 PM »

HI my 83 has 2 keys one for ing ,doors and hatch and one for glove box ....Don

68AMXGOPAC · « **Reply #27 on:** June 07, 2011, 11:42:24 PM »

Errrrrrrrrrmmmmm that post is from 2005.................

AMCKen · « **Reply #28 on:** June 08, 2011, 01:26:03 AM »

Not all GM keys are compatible. Different grooves cut in some.
If you have other AMC keys, try them. I've opened several cars with keys from another. Some of my runners never did come with their own keys. Just be careful you don't break a good key in your attempts.

philotomy · « **Reply #29 on:** June 08, 2011, 09:49:03 AM »

I hope there has been a key found by now,didn't notice the original post date,But still some good advice in there.

68AMXGOPAC · « **Reply #30 on:** June 08, 2011, 09:46:49 PM »

I was laughing because I read it half way through, then saw the dates.It came up as a new post for me because I had never read it.

Author Topic: Lost Ignition Key (Read 16365 times)

rreschran

rreschran

blondedriver

Blackfoot

01duse

AMC lifer

68AMXGOPAC

68AMXGOPAC