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Old Jan 31, 2011 | 03:53 PM
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car is 73 vert.

I know the square key is for ignition.

Is the "round" one supposed to work with the doors, rear compartment and security? (All three the same?)

thanks...
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Old Jan 31, 2011 | 04:43 PM
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Mine has the same key for ignition as the doors. The car also had about 4 more keys with it but was never able to use them on anything. The round one may work the security, I have never tried mine.
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Old Jan 31, 2011 | 04:47 PM
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My round one is for the doors on the '76 ... no alarm ..
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Old Jan 31, 2011 | 04:51 PM
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My car is a '70. The square key is for the ignition and the doors, the round key is for the glove compartment and the spare tire lock.
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Old Jan 31, 2011 | 04:53 PM
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i believe the round head is the glovebox lock (if so equipped) and the rear compartment lock. typically in GM cars the square key was ignition, the round key worked the doors and trunk (or rear compartment in the case of corvette). in addition, it also might fit the spare tire carrier lock also. unfortunately what has happened to most of our cars is that over the years some of these parts failed and were replaced, adding to the number of keys required to work the compliment of locks on the car (ignition, doors, alarm (key system replaced after the early 70's), rear compartment should have the center lockable, plus the lock for the spare carrier). obviously more keys could be used if you have a locking gas cap, etc.
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Old Jan 31, 2011 | 05:42 PM
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Hi,
At least through 72 (and I believe 73 and newer) the square key was used for the doors and ignition. The oval key was for the lockable compartment, the spare-tire lock, and alarm. The key-ways (signified by the letter stamped on the key), A,B,J,K,etc., varied from year to year. The knock-outs (at the ring end of the key) had the code (numbers/letters) which indicated how the key had been cut.
Regards,
Alan
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Old Jan 31, 2011 | 08:19 PM
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i have a medico cylinder for the ignition, dont know if thats good or bad...
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Old Jan 31, 2011 | 09:10 PM
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My 82 uses the square key for the ignition only. The round key operates the doors, glove box, and cargo door.
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Old Jan 31, 2011 | 09:57 PM
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Originally Posted by udornf4
car is 73 vert.

I know the square key is for ignition.

Is the "round" one supposed to work with the doors, rear compartment and security? (All three the same?)

thanks...
In 73 the square key was for the ignition and doors as it was in previous years. The round was for the alarm and rear compartment.

In 74 it changed to the square for ignition only and the round for all the rest.
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Old Jan 31, 2011 | 10:14 PM
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There are endless combinations. I ordered a replacement set of locks (ignition/doors/locable storage) for my '77. When it came, I expected the square key to be the ignition (which it is) and the oval key to be everything else. Well, the square key works the doors. The oval key only does the interior locks and the spare tire lock. This was a "high dollar" lock set from a very well known Corvette supplier and was suspose to be NCRS correct for the 1977. Go figure.
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Old Jan 31, 2011 | 10:43 PM
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My 77 has the original keys. The square operates the ignition. The round operates doors/alarm/spare tire lock.
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Old Jan 31, 2011 | 10:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi,
At least through 72 (and I believe 73 and newer) the square key was used for the doors and ignition. The oval key was for the lockable compartment, the spare-tire lock, and alarm. The key-ways (signified by the letter stamped on the key), A,B,J,K,etc., varied from year to year. The knock-outs (at the ring end of the key) had the code (numbers/letters) which indicated how the key had been cut.
Regards,
Alan
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Old Feb 1, 2011 | 07:21 AM
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Default Keys and Keys

1965 A two key locking system was introduced. One key operated the doors and ignition locks while a second key operated all of the other compartments.

As a rule all 67-73 GM cars originally had square keys for the ignition & doors and round keys for the glove, trunk, and console.

1974 The ignition key was seperated from the door lock key on all GM passenger cars and light trucks. Beginning with 1974 models, the ignition key operates only the ignition lock. This feature prevents ignition key information from being obtained from any other vehicle key or lock cylinder.

Jim
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