Lost key - no duplicate
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: Washington
Lost key - no duplicate
:o
OK, let's get the "you were stupid" out of the way and get to the problem.
A year ago when I bought the '69 Stingray I drove it home, put it in the garage and only drove it 2 or 3 time while I worked on it. Only got one set of keys, ignition, spare tire tub and gas cap. I did not make duplicate keys. Now they are lost and I have practically torn the house and garage apart looking for them.
A local well established lock smith to me the door and ignition key were the same (right...knew that) and if I removed the door lock he could make new keys from the code thereon, saving having to remove the ignition. Fast forward: Chevrolet parts confirmed door and ignition use the same key but claim the door key uses only the first four tumblers of the lock. So.....
How do I remove the column mounted ignition key and has anyone heard that although the same key is used for ignition and door lock that they are "different?"
Still does not solve the gas cap and spare tire tub but I'll get to that once I can start the thing again.
OK, let's get the "you were stupid" out of the way and get to the problem.
A year ago when I bought the '69 Stingray I drove it home, put it in the garage and only drove it 2 or 3 time while I worked on it. Only got one set of keys, ignition, spare tire tub and gas cap. I did not make duplicate keys. Now they are lost and I have practically torn the house and garage apart looking for them.
A local well established lock smith to me the door and ignition key were the same (right...knew that) and if I removed the door lock he could make new keys from the code thereon, saving having to remove the ignition. Fast forward: Chevrolet parts confirmed door and ignition use the same key but claim the door key uses only the first four tumblers of the lock. So.....
How do I remove the column mounted ignition key and has anyone heard that although the same key is used for ignition and door lock that they are "different?"
Still does not solve the gas cap and spare tire tub but I'll get to that once I can start the thing again.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
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Likes: 206
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When you bought the car did it come with any original paperwork? If so there may be the key codes (four digit #) on them. With these codes any locksmith should be able to cut new keys. If you find the codes I can put you in touch with someone that can help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
I'm not sure if 69' still had the code number stamped on the door lock,but if it did, your Locksmith can make a key for the ignition based on this code number. It won't matter that the door only has 4 tumblers. Same holds true for the spare tire lock. The storage compartment lock should be the same key. Remove it and see if it has the the 4 digit Code. GM stopped putting to codes on locks sometime in the 60's, but I'm not sure when.
Gary
Gary
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: Washington
lost key
To respond to some of the comments and suggestions:
I have looked everywhere in the car a key could possibly be "hiding" and all the cabinets/shelves/tool cabinet in my garage. The maddening thing is I know I put the keys somewhere absentmindedly (advancing years?) and forgot where. The keys did not leave the house so they are lurking somewhere.
Regarding the spare tire carrier, that was also a separate key. I have not looked at the ignition switch yet or researched how to remove it. I was hoping someone here had experience in removing the switch. It seems it will be much easier to remove the door panel and the door lock than the ignition switch so think I will try that lock first.
I have looked everywhere in the car a key could possibly be "hiding" and all the cabinets/shelves/tool cabinet in my garage. The maddening thing is I know I put the keys somewhere absentmindedly (advancing years?) and forgot where. The keys did not leave the house so they are lurking somewhere.
Regarding the spare tire carrier, that was also a separate key. I have not looked at the ignition switch yet or researched how to remove it. I was hoping someone here had experience in removing the switch. It seems it will be much easier to remove the door panel and the door lock than the ignition switch so think I will try that lock first.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
If you are absolutely sure that you have the old keys somewhere, and apparantly don't drive it much, then I would just buy a new ignition lockset from Autozone for around 12 bucks, comes with 2 new keys and the coded knockouts. By far the cheapest way.
Search for Jim Shea for his column papers.
You can spruce up the column at the same time and have the car driveable and of course after having done that, the old keys will show up.
Search for Jim Shea for his column papers.
You can spruce up the column at the same time and have the car driveable and of course after having done that, the old keys will show up.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
According to Jim Shea papers the code stampon the cylinders was eliminate in 1970 so if you pull a door lock, it should have the code. Same with the storage compartment lock.
Gary
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...ev21my2009.pdf
Gary
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...ev21my2009.pdf
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: Washington
Good info, Duke. As I said, I will try the door lock route today and also look at the spare tire tub lock and see if I can remove it as it is a separate key from the ignition.
The last problem will be the gas cap. It is an aftermarket cap so I'll tackle that last. Fortunately the tank is full of fuel so at least I can drive after getting the ignition problem taken care of.
The other thing is that we have had absolutley GREAT weather here in the NW and I have missed a couple of my favorite cruise in get togethers.
The last problem will be the gas cap. It is an aftermarket cap so I'll tackle that last. Fortunately the tank is full of fuel so at least I can drive after getting the ignition problem taken care of.
The other thing is that we have had absolutley GREAT weather here in the NW and I have missed a couple of my favorite cruise in get togethers.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 348
Likes: 2
From: Lowell MA
The door lock has all 6 tumblers. Trust me. Your locksmith doesn't know what he's talking about. The compartment lock has only 4 which is the same key as the spare tire lock. Not sure if the spare tire lock has all 6 tumblers or 4 tumblers but if 6, then a key can easily be made from the compartment lock and progressed to determine the missing 2 cuts if there is no code on the lock.
I've pulled a ton of GM ignitions and it is easy with the proper tools but if you don't have a wheel puller, compression plate tool and the ability to break down the column to the point where the directional switch assembly has to be lifted, I would farm it out.
I've pulled a ton of GM ignitions and it is easy with the proper tools but if you don't have a wheel puller, compression plate tool and the ability to break down the column to the point where the directional switch assembly has to be lifted, I would farm it out.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: Washington
tire tub/ignition key different
Lemans, the spare tire tub key is definately not the same key as my ignition key. Don't know why....but that is the case. It is a much smaller and totally different shape and tumbler "notches" than the ignition/door key.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 348
Likes: 2
From: Lowell MA
Pirate,
For the original 1969 Corvette, the key that operates the doors and ignition has a square head and the letter E stamped on it. The key with the oval head and the letter H stamped on it is used for the the spare tire compartment & rear compartment door.
Do you have an oval head key? If not, get one made as I posted above and see if it will unlock the tire compartment lock. If not, then you have an after market lock or it is seized due to exposure to the elements.
And to the person who posted about the key codes being recorded on the original bill of sale. Kudos for not many people look at that. I have one for my 1969 and it does list the key codes to include the factory alarm.
For the original 1969 Corvette, the key that operates the doors and ignition has a square head and the letter E stamped on it. The key with the oval head and the letter H stamped on it is used for the the spare tire compartment & rear compartment door.
Do you have an oval head key? If not, get one made as I posted above and see if it will unlock the tire compartment lock. If not, then you have an after market lock or it is seized due to exposure to the elements.
And to the person who posted about the key codes being recorded on the original bill of sale. Kudos for not many people look at that. I have one for my 1969 and it does list the key codes to include the factory alarm.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 348
Likes: 2
From: Lowell MA
Your right. So much for speed reading. Good locksmith you have. Kudos to him. Now about that local dearlership, probably an inexperienced person. So let us know the end result of your spare tire compartment. Love to see a picture of that locking gas cap. The filler on the 69 is large and I never saw a locking gas cap on a neck that size.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: Washington
Hadn't ask the locksmith to come to the car. I had just stopped there and then on to Chevy dealer doing a little research for my best option. I have removed the lock from the compartment behind the seats as it took the same key. Don't know if that is going to work but that is the easiest and first option I'll pursue.