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Door Key Code ??

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Old Jan 16, 2015 | 10:54 AM
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Default Door Key Code ??

Purchased a 79 vette online and when it arrived it only had the ignition key. Can't lock car. Was hoping to call chevy house and give VIN# to get a key but NO. Every locksmith says they can't make a key. Was hoping to avoid having to remove door panels and go thru the hassle of changing cylinders. Any suggestions??
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Old Jan 16, 2015 | 11:05 AM
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You already know the answer, you have to pull a door cylinder, sorry. What shape is the head of the ignition key square or oval? You tried inserting it into both door cylinders?

Last edited by MelWff; Jan 16, 2015 at 11:11 AM.
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Old Jan 16, 2015 | 01:35 PM
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Square key= ignition
Oval= all others

Some thoughts:

1. Did you get any paperwork with the car. If they sent the dealer invoice look at the center and there is a space for Key Code nos. Might be written in or typed. Tank sticker might have them. The letter code for a 79 oval is "B". Got this from the judging manual.

2. Drive to a competent locksmith and have him make a key.

3. Bring in the glove box door with the key cylinder and have him make a key or bring in just the cylinder.
(Luckily never had to try it) http://www.chevelles.com/techref/glovebox.pdf

4. Your spare tire has a lock if he wants to work on that.

5. Any one in the neighborhood with another 78/79 or gm from that era. Their key might work.

Hopefully no locks were changed out.
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Old Jan 16, 2015 | 03:37 PM
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I don't know when the change was made (perhaps 74?)but in 78/79 the oval works the doors, glove box, rear compartment & spare tire lock.
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Old Jan 16, 2015 | 06:56 PM
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I AGREE...A COMPETENT locksmith can cut a key.

DUB
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Old Jan 17, 2015 | 11:02 PM
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Called many locksmiths in Austin Tx and they all say they can't make one. Pretty sorry.
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Old Jan 18, 2015 | 12:46 AM
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Originally Posted by mwm3006
Called many locksmiths in Austin Tx and they all say they can't make one. Pretty sorry.
If you get the code off the cylinder any locksmith should be able to cut the key.

On the Corvette glove box and rear compartment locks... they won't have a code on them so you'll have to pull a door lock.

Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Jan 18, 2015 at 09:29 AM.
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Old Jan 18, 2015 | 12:55 AM
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While we're on the subject (kinda').......

Is the rear compartment lock on a 1968 convertible the same as the door locks (My project only has an aftermarket ignition/key)........?
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Old Jan 18, 2015 | 07:20 PM
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Originally Posted by mwm3006
Called many locksmiths in Austin Tx and they all say they can't make one. Pretty sorry.
YEAH...that is pretty sorry. Try someone who REPOS cars and trucks. often times they may need to make a key on the spot. If you do not want to remove the door lock cylinder to get the code.

DUB
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Old Jan 20, 2015 | 12:25 AM
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Originally Posted by DUB
YEAH...that is pretty sorry. Try someone who REPOS cars and trucks. often times they may need to make a key on the spot. If you do not want to remove the door lock cylinder to get the code.

DUB
Thanks...I'll remove the lock since the door is bare from being repaired/greased.
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Old Jan 20, 2015 | 12:03 PM
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Originally Posted by mwm3006
Called many locksmiths in Austin Tx and they all say they can't make one. Pretty sorry.

I had ALPHA key in Austin cut a corvette key suppling them with key code only.
Alpha Key Lamar blvd. 835-2626 good luck.
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Old Jan 20, 2015 | 11:19 PM
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Originally Posted by 69Vett
I had ALPHA key in Austin cut a corvette key suppling them with key code only.
Alpha Key Lamar blvd. 835-2626 good luck.
Good to know....if no one around here wants to make a key, we can send them our locks and let them handle it.
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Old Jan 22, 2015 | 08:47 PM
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I had a locksmith make a key for me once. She used a soft metal blank, inserted it, "read" the indents made, and cut a key that worked perfectly.
25 bucks.
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