lost keys
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
Do you have a pic of the location? Ive never noticed any stamping but I have to admit Ive never looked as my VATS function has been disabled.
Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,364
Likes: 2,730
You need to explain for me: "IGNITION BARREL" !!
Another possibility is VATS has been disabled! I'm guessing you've gotten the mechanical code through a dealer and just assume you need the VATS. Have a "work key" cut for the code and you can at least confirm the mechanical operation.
If you're acquainted with a dealer through repetitive parts or service purchases maybe they would rent/lend a VATS interrogator!! The task is time consuming and requires patience!
Do you have the mechanical cut code?
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Macedon (near Rochester) NY
Dealer told me I was in luck that 88 was the oldest year they have records of. That was just a couple months ago. Made me a door key that worked, but my ignition key had apparently already been replaced. Had to buy a new cylinder, plus eleven 1k resistors and a 1k 15-turn variable resistor and go back to it every few minutes over an afternoon to try every value.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 580
Likes: 8
From: Clemson SC
Interesting, I checked with my local dealer and they could not go back further than 92 when I was checking on a door key for my 88 which was needed to deactivate the security systems (i.e., horns blowing 50 times or so a minute - gets old fast). Luckily, I did have an ignition key. I took the lock out of my rear compartment to a locksmith and he was able to make the 4 cuts in a blank to make a key for the compartment. At that point, he looked up the other 2 possible cuts for the door. There were 5 total possibilities for these 2 cuts, so he made two blanks and started making cuts and testing it. Took 2 attempts to get the right combination - so I ended up with 2 working door keys for $40 and glad to get them. Have also made another door and ignition key to stash just in case! Thought someone might be interested to know this.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi Texas
Well, After mowing one afternoon, I found a pouch with velcro and keys in the lawn where I usually park my car to wash and polish. I was just concidering gettin spare made since previous owner only had one set and said didn't know what happened to spare..... Well I found it, the glue on one side of velcro pouch softened with heat I guess and it dropped practically in my lap, minutes from going to dealer down the road. Now I need PKE FOB.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 221
Likes: 1
From: Canberra ACT
If it were my car and I bought it from an individual my first call would be the previous owner. People hang on to the damnedest things like a spare set of keys OR they likely recorded the information somewhere and either know where to look OR maybe even recall the VATS ID.
You need to explain for me: "IGNITION BARREL" !!
Another possibility is VATS has been disabled! I'm guessing you've gotten the mechanical code through a dealer and just assume you need the VATS. Have a "work key" cut for the code and you can at least confirm the mechanical operation.
If you're acquainted with a dealer through repetitive parts or service purchases maybe they would rent/lend a VATS interrogator!! The task is time consuming and requires patience!
Do you have the mechanical cut code?
You need to explain for me: "IGNITION BARREL" !!
Another possibility is VATS has been disabled! I'm guessing you've gotten the mechanical code through a dealer and just assume you need the VATS. Have a "work key" cut for the code and you can at least confirm the mechanical operation.
If you're acquainted with a dealer through repetitive parts or service purchases maybe they would rent/lend a VATS interrogator!! The task is time consuming and requires patience!
Do you have the mechanical cut code?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,689
Likes: 4
From: Yucaipa CA
Quick update :Only one key came with the car. The key number and VATS code were stamped on the key housing ,( not sure about PRE 90 cars) but of course you have to remove your steering wheel and other bits and pieces to be able to remove it, and yes going to a dealer with your vin would be quicker,but we are in Australia, getting the key blank was easy and as others have said any GOOD locksmith can cut a new key, the locksmith here in Aus had the codes available on his computer,
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 109
From: Longmont Co
Well, After mowing one afternoon, I found a pouch with velcro and keys in the lawn where I usually park my car to wash and polish. I was just concidering gettin spare made since previous owner only had one set and said didn't know what happened to spare..... Well I found it, the glue on one side of velcro pouch softened with heat I guess and it dropped practically in my lap, minutes from going to dealer down the road. Now I need PKE FOB.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 8,041
Likes: 2
From: EOF ★ Kaliforniastan ★
St. Jude Donor '10
