Lost Ignition Key

[rmedon]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Blackfoot]

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]

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]

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

[redneckjames]

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]

       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]

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]

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]

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

[68AMXGOPAC]

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

[AMCKen]

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]

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