Broken Key- What Should I do?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 859
Likes: 8
Broken Key- What Should I do?
Well, today I got home from work and parked my 85a4 in the driveway. But then my brother needed my car out of the way so he could leave. So I gave him my key and told him to move it. I should have known better. The moron tried to open the door with the ignition key and ended up bending it. When I tried to bend it back into shape, it simply snapped into two pieces. I was extremely angry at him for a while, but now I'm just trying to figure out what to do. I don't have a spare. I don't know if the dealer can get my key through the vin since the car is so old. I don't really want to replace the whole ignition cylinder. Do you think a locksmith can make a new key from the two broken ends of the key? If not, what are my options?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 752
Likes: 0
From: richardson tx
i think the dealer only goes back 10 years. lock smith may be able to make an imprint from both pieces ( store front ) not service call. im not sure if your key has the vats resistor or not but im thinking you can simply replace the iginition cyc for a few dollars and some time. if you decide to go this route let me know i will provide you with the service book diagrams for this job.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
The most a locksmith would have to do is use his tool on the ignition lock cylinder to get the key profile if he can't get it from your broken key. You need to know the pellet resistance value of your key, so when the locksmith shows up, you can tell him what value key you your car takes. A dealer can measure the pellet for you and tell you the value. That will save you money and a lot of time when the locksmith shows up.
After he get's the key profile from your ignition cylinder, he can transfer the cut to a blank VATS key he will have in his van, with the resistance value you indicate, and you're done. If you don't go to the dealer and get the pellet value, he will need to find the resistance value himself using a VATS interrogator tool. He will have to try and crank the car over with each value starting from the bottom, all the way up until he finds the one that cranks the car. The problem is that he needs to wait several minutes between each value attempt to prevent the VATS from arming itself. There's around 16 codes, so it can take a long time if your code is towards the end.
So if I where you, I'd go have a dealer read you the resistance, and have it when the locksmith shows up. Then all he has to do is get the profile and cut a key and you're done.
After he get's the key profile from your ignition cylinder, he can transfer the cut to a blank VATS key he will have in his van, with the resistance value you indicate, and you're done. If you don't go to the dealer and get the pellet value, he will need to find the resistance value himself using a VATS interrogator tool. He will have to try and crank the car over with each value starting from the bottom, all the way up until he finds the one that cranks the car. The problem is that he needs to wait several minutes between each value attempt to prevent the VATS from arming itself. There's around 16 codes, so it can take a long time if your code is towards the end.
So if I where you, I'd go have a dealer read you the resistance, and have it when the locksmith shows up. Then all he has to do is get the profile and cut a key and you're done.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
Originally Posted by steve1ph2
i think the dealer only goes back 10 years.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 752
Likes: 0
From: richardson tx
Originally Posted by 86PACER
Dealer only goes back so far. Even if they can give you a key for your year, you are taking a risk because unless you are the original owner, you probably have no way of knowing if the ignition switch has ever been changed out or not. Then if the key does not work, you can't get your money back.
· VATS – The vehicle anti-theft system was a significant development that drastically reduced Corvette thefts. This special ignition key, which was standard equipment, had an electronic coding feature that would disable the ignition if the wrong key was used, or if the normal ignition system was bypassed. A study from the Automobile Club of Michigan indicated that in 1985, ACM insured 1499 ’84 and ’85 Corvettes (prior to VATS) and reported 111 were stolen. In 1986, 482 ’86 Corvettes were insured with ACM (VATS equipped) and only 6 were stolen – and of these, some were stolen due to keys left in the ignition. The VATS system is a definite anti-theft device.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
Hu, I thought '85 had VATS and a pelleted key, guess not. Thanks for the heads up. This simplifies the situation. 
I agree though, replacing the lock cylinder is a solution. They are less than $30.00. But that means time and effort taking stuff apart, getting a hold of a wheel puller, and using a tool to compress the metal plate to withdraw the C clip. The plastic insulator inside the column will most likely break on you and will need replacement. Don't know how much that cost. I just glued mine back together to avoid an inconvenient trip to the dealer for one. Last time I was in there, it was kinda a PITA.
Depending on his local locksmith fees, it might still be convenient and faster to pay a little more and not have to take anything apart, by having a locksmith get the profile from the switch with a tool and just cut the key since no VATS. I paid around $45 to get a replacement set of keys for my '86. To me with a fee like that, it's not worth the work, time, and effort to replace the $30 or so lock switch. Prices change by location though. Either way will work.
I agree though, replacing the lock cylinder is a solution. They are less than $30.00. But that means time and effort taking stuff apart, getting a hold of a wheel puller, and using a tool to compress the metal plate to withdraw the C clip. The plastic insulator inside the column will most likely break on you and will need replacement. Don't know how much that cost. I just glued mine back together to avoid an inconvenient trip to the dealer for one. Last time I was in there, it was kinda a PITA.
Depending on his local locksmith fees, it might still be convenient and faster to pay a little more and not have to take anything apart, by having a locksmith get the profile from the switch with a tool and just cut the key since no VATS. I paid around $45 to get a replacement set of keys for my '86. To me with a fee like that, it's not worth the work, time, and effort to replace the $30 or so lock switch. Prices change by location though. Either way will work.
Last edited by 86PACER; Jun 1, 2006 at 04:47 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
Originally Posted by steve1ph2
vats is out for his year model. i would just replace the lock cyc and be done. he`s lucky.
· VATS – The vehicle anti-theft system was a significant development that drastically reduced Corvette thefts. This special ignition key, which was standard equipment, had an electronic coding feature that would disable the ignition if the wrong key was used, or if the normal ignition system was bypassed. A study from the Automobile Club of Michigan indicated that in 1985, ACM insured 1499 ’84 and ’85 Corvettes (prior to VATS) and reported 111 were stolen. In 1986, 482 ’86 Corvettes were insured with ACM (VATS equipped) and only 6 were stolen – and of these, some were stolen due to keys left in the ignition. The VATS system is a definite anti-theft device.
· VATS – The vehicle anti-theft system was a significant development that drastically reduced Corvette thefts. This special ignition key, which was standard equipment, had an electronic coding feature that would disable the ignition if the wrong key was used, or if the normal ignition system was bypassed. A study from the Automobile Club of Michigan indicated that in 1985, ACM insured 1499 ’84 and ’85 Corvettes (prior to VATS) and reported 111 were stolen. In 1986, 482 ’86 Corvettes were insured with ACM (VATS equipped) and only 6 were stolen – and of these, some were stolen due to keys left in the ignition. The VATS system is a definite anti-theft device.
Last edited by 86PACER; Jun 1, 2006 at 04:50 AM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,361
Likes: 2,281
From: Central Maryland
A really competent locksmith can probably straighten the broken pieces, chuck them up in the clamps of his key cutting machine, and successfully duplicate the pattern onto a fresh blank.
I'd suggest you make a few phone calls to local locksmiths, explain what has happened, and ask them if they think they can make this happen. I surely would try this (several times, if necessary) before yanking the cylinder out of the column.
Be well,
SJW
I'd suggest you make a few phone calls to local locksmiths, explain what has happened, and ask them if they think they can make this happen. I surely would try this (several times, if necessary) before yanking the cylinder out of the column.
Be well,
SJW
with SJW. I would sure put the effort into getting a key made first. I would do or pay anything before I ripped the car apart. And if you are succesful, while your at it , get 2 made. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 7,179
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte, NC
Dealer should beable to look at the broken key and make you another one... i remmber when I worked for a dealer the parts guy showed me how to read a key to see what number you needed to set the cutter to make the new key...
-=Rick
-=Rick
