Lost Ignition Key

[rreschran]

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]

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]

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]

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

[IowaEagle]

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

[EAGLER]

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]

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]

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]

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

[blondedriver]

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

[eagle88]

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

[IowaEagle]

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]

 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]

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

[Gil-SX4]

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