door key no longer works
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
door key no longer works
My door key won't turn the lock cylinder anymore, and it used to. What might have changed that it won't work any more? I'm on a tear of fixing little problems that have come up from driving my Vette, and this is next on the list.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
How much wear is showing on the key? Possible the key and lock cylinder are just worn to the point they don't play well together anymore. Does the key work in the other side?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
pull door lock, key number is on the lock body,
give key code to a good locksmith, presto new key.
the new key will work much better than, a copy, of a copy of an old key.
give key code to a good locksmith, presto new key.
the new key will work much better than, a copy, of a copy of an old key.
Last edited by 69Vett; Apr 19, 2017 at 09:46 PM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
If you wish to keep the original code key... if not, buying a pair of lock cylinders might be cheaper. https://willcoxcorvette.com/corvette-door-locks-78-79
And one other thing.. aftermarket lock kits from local parts houses don't have the correct locks... The locks on a 1978-1979 had one long stem lock and one short since the driver side had the alarm activation switch on it and the passenger side didn't. So just a heads up... you'll get the wrong set if you go to AZ or other name brand parts houses. you can see the difference in the picture below.
Willcox
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Apr 19, 2017 at 10:04 PM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
That could work.. but it's best if you just remove both cylinders and take them to the lock smith with the key code. The reason for this is that the tumblers inside the lock cylinder are brass as is the key.... and both are susceptible to wear. Then the lock smith can remove the tumblers, install new and then cut you a new key that will work perfectly.
If you wish to keep the original code key... if not, buying a pair of lock cylinders might be cheaper. https://willcoxcorvette.com/corvette-door-locks-78-79
And one other thing.. aftermarket lock kits from local parts houses don't have the correct locks... The locks on a 1978-1979 had one long stem lock and one short since the driver side had the alarm activation switch on it and the passenger side didn't. So just a heads up... you'll get the wrong set if you go to AZ or other name brand parts houses. you can see the difference in the picture below.
Willcox
If you wish to keep the original code key... if not, buying a pair of lock cylinders might be cheaper. https://willcoxcorvette.com/corvette-door-locks-78-79
And one other thing.. aftermarket lock kits from local parts houses don't have the correct locks... The locks on a 1978-1979 had one long stem lock and one short since the driver side had the alarm activation switch on it and the passenger side didn't. So just a heads up... you'll get the wrong set if you go to AZ or other name brand parts houses. you can see the difference in the picture below.
Willcox
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Well, that's it!! No more drives for you. The car has called it "Quits!".
Seriously...
First order of business is to shoot some graphite "Lock lube" into the lock and see if it was just sticky. Round 2 is to see if you can get new keys made (if the tips of the present key are worn badly). Locksmiths can do this; hardware story 'jockeys' can not. Round 3 is to replace the locks and keys with new stuff. Definitely not the route you want to go. Getting that lockset out is a PITA...and you need to do both doors!
Seriously...
First order of business is to shoot some graphite "Lock lube" into the lock and see if it was just sticky. Round 2 is to see if you can get new keys made (if the tips of the present key are worn badly). Locksmiths can do this; hardware story 'jockeys' can not. Round 3 is to replace the locks and keys with new stuff. Definitely not the route you want to go. Getting that lockset out is a PITA...and you need to do both doors!
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
This is the lock that no longer works. This is the only thing I can find that even resembles something like a number, and it doesn't look like anything to me. Am I looking at the right place? I took the bracket off too, and didn't find any number under that either.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
If you get a new set of locks and keys and change them on both doors, you will be good to go. If you just want to get the 'bad' door lock replaced with one that uses the same key, I would suggest calling some to find out if they can do that when given the 'old' lock and the new one.
Hey! It could happen!
Hey! It could happen!
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
your thumb is covering the numbers. it is on the side of the lock body.
clean the lock body, it is very small print, 4-5 letters I believe.
a good locksmith can key them the same.
clean the lock body, it is very small print, 4-5 letters I believe.
a good locksmith can key them the same.
Last edited by 69Vett; Apr 24, 2017 at 10:07 AM.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Berlin, Germany / Tallinn, Estonia
Thanks for all you input.
Unfortunately, there are no locksmith' in Germany who either have a collection of old keys to try or are able to decode the number on the tumbler in order to cut keys. GM cars from the 60s are not so common over here. ;-)
But with your help I will be able to find a locksmith in the US as soon as I have the code from the door locks.
Unfortunately, there are no locksmith' in Germany who either have a collection of old keys to try or are able to decode the number on the tumbler in order to cut keys. GM cars from the 60s are not so common over here. ;-)
But with your help I will be able to find a locksmith in the US as soon as I have the code from the door locks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Thanks for all you input.
Unfortunately, there are no locksmith' in Germany who either have a collection of old keys to try or are able to decode the number on the tumbler in order to cut keys. GM cars from the 60s are not so common over here. ;-)
But with your help I will be able to find a locksmith in the US as soon as I have the code from the door locks.
Unfortunately, there are no locksmith' in Germany who either have a collection of old keys to try or are able to decode the number on the tumbler in order to cut keys. GM cars from the 60s are not so common over here. ;-)
But with your help I will be able to find a locksmith in the US as soon as I have the code from the door locks.