Re-keying storage lock cylinders
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Safety Car
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Re-keying storage lock cylinders
Has anyone re-keyed their storage lock cylinders to accept a new key? As in if you've replaced your door lock cylinders that came with new keys so the new keys would work with the storage locks?
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You need to check first if the key will fit the cylinder, if the key will insert into the cylinder then doing replacement tumblers/pins for the current cylinder will be no problem. If the key will NOT insert into the old cylinder then the cylinder will need changed OR this could work:
Most new cylinders have a "universal" keyway so you might be able to insert your old key into the "NEW" door cylinder but it just won't turn. If that is the case then you could use the original key-blank type with the new door cylinders and then re-pin the storage cylinders you have. You would just have the new key code cut on the other lettered key blank.
What is the letter stamped on your new key? What is the letter on your old door key if you have one? If you don't have one what year is your car? Door keys should be B, D, H, K letter coded.
Are your door cylinders installed yet?
Most new cylinders have a "universal" keyway so you might be able to insert your old key into the "NEW" door cylinder but it just won't turn. If that is the case then you could use the original key-blank type with the new door cylinders and then re-pin the storage cylinders you have. You would just have the new key code cut on the other lettered key blank.
What is the letter stamped on your new key? What is the letter on your old door key if you have one? If you don't have one what year is your car? Door keys should be B, D, H, K letter coded.
Are your door cylinders installed yet?
Team Owner
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You can do cylinders "LOCAL" and have them coded to match your current keys OR do you want to change the door codes?
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Do it local and then you can confirm that either the cylinder is a "universal keyway" or it's a D key-way so you can re-pin the storage areas. Do you buy parts from a GM parts department frequently? Do you know the parts guy well? He should be able to help. You do understand it's a real PIA to do the door cylinders in the C4?
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Jacksonville FL
You will hafta find a good old school locksmith but they can do what you want. The console lock has one less tumbler IIRC so your guy will hafta be knowledgeable to make the switch. I had one make me a door key by using the console cylinder. Again IIRC there are 4 different tumblers to try. My guy hit it on try 2 and cost me $30. Cylinder was out and I was at his office.
Support your local guy. He should clean and lube the door cylinders while he is rekeying them and they will act like new.
Support your local guy. He should clean and lube the door cylinders while he is rekeying them and they will act like new.
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A "local" could change a single tumbler/pin in your door cylinder configuration to change the code and you wouldn't need to do anything with the storage compartment cylinders. The new door cylinder just needs to be either a D keyway or a universal keyway.
If you buy new door cylinders the storage compartment cylinders will require, bezel, cover and tumblers/pins done by someone that "understands". Do it all with a local that understands. You tell the "local" what you want to accomplish and you could do it either way that I mentioned.
You never mentioned IP glove box so I'm guessing this is an '89 or earlier car. Correct? Year could maybe effect your choice, '84 - '86 or '87 - '89. The D groove hints '87 - '89 but maybe something could have been changed. A '90 I believe would have been a D keyway also.
If you buy new door cylinders the storage compartment cylinders will require, bezel, cover and tumblers/pins done by someone that "understands". Do it all with a local that understands. You tell the "local" what you want to accomplish and you could do it either way that I mentioned.
You never mentioned IP glove box so I'm guessing this is an '89 or earlier car. Correct? Year could maybe effect your choice, '84 - '86 or '87 - '89. The D groove hints '87 - '89 but maybe something could have been changed. A '90 I believe would have been a D keyway also.
Last edited by WVZR-1; Oct 24, 2014 at 08:43 AM.
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Yes, no glove box.
Talked with locksmith and he said door lock has 6 tumblers and storage has 4 tumblers. So he said he could change 2 tumblers and make a new key so I wouldn't have to mess with the storage compartment locks. He also said the storage compartment locks can be recoded without having to replace anything. I thought I remember reading the storage compartment had 1 less tumbler than the door?
And the locksmith also said he had the black caps for the door locks in stock that I guess get messed up when tearing into the cylinder. I told the locksmith that I was surprised he had those caps in stock as I thought those were a Corvette only type part. Hopefully he's talking about the right part for my lock.
Talked with locksmith and he said door lock has 6 tumblers and storage has 4 tumblers. So he said he could change 2 tumblers and make a new key so I wouldn't have to mess with the storage compartment locks. He also said the storage compartment locks can be recoded without having to replace anything. I thought I remember reading the storage compartment had 1 less tumbler than the door?
And the locksmith also said he had the black caps for the door locks in stock that I guess get messed up when tearing into the cylinder. I told the locksmith that I was surprised he had those caps in stock as I thought those were a Corvette only type part. Hopefully he's talking about the right part for my lock.
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How many tumblers are on the door lock, and how many tumblers are on the storage locks?
I see conflicting info on that compared to what the locksmith told me.
I took one of the rear storage locks out to check it out. And it looks like you have to pry off that large round black disc that is pressed on to remove the lock. In the parts manual there was a lock package for that lock #14075365 but that is discontinued. Can you still get those parts if you had to tear that lock apart?
I see conflicting info on that compared to what the locksmith told me.
I took one of the rear storage locks out to check it out. And it looks like you have to pry off that large round black disc that is pressed on to remove the lock. In the parts manual there was a lock package for that lock #14075365 but that is discontinued. Can you still get those parts if you had to tear that lock apart?
Trust the lock guy! Tear nothing apart yourself, yes the bezel needs to be destroyed to remove it from any cylinder to gain access to the tumble/pin carrier. The local will have the parts.
Your part number choice I don't believe would be correct for your car. You said D blank but you're still keeping the year "top secret". Your part number choice I believe would be a B keyway. What year is the car?
Last edited by WVZR-1; Oct 24, 2014 at 11:34 AM.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Northern California
I don't know how many tumblers it has but, on my 91 Vette, the door key unlocks both doors, storage compartments, center console and glove box.