Missing Key Lock
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 227
Likes: 12
From: Southern NJ
Missing Key Lock
When i had the Vette out Sunday i noticed the key lock on the driver door is missing and pushed in (my son heard it rattle). only time i had the door apart was when i replaced the speakers last summer. i didn't mess with the lock but who knows. anyone ever have this just fall in?
Thanks,
Vince
Thanks,
Vince
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 101
Likes: 24
Lock cylinder
As the lock lock cylinder goes into the handle ( from the backside ) it’s supposed to snap into it . There is a tube built into the handle that the lock fits into perfectly. They made a steel spring in a OVAL shape that fits over that sleeve on your handle. So when you push the lock cylinder into that sleeve it spreads out enough to let it in and then snaps tightly around the backside of it. Perhaps someone did push too hard on the key and it slipped past the spring. Can’t imagine it just fell off. Or it was done deliberately, again I’ve worked on cars since 1971. It just might be possible to remove the trim panel on the door and push it back in to the sleeve on the exterior handle. MAKE SURE YOU LINE IT UP CAREFULLY ! It has a notch on it the matches the groove in the handle so pay attention. I normally insert the key into the lock as soon as it’s partway in the handle to keep the cylinder lined up. The key should be straight up and down. Let me know how it works out or if I can be of any help. Good luck
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 34
From: St. Louis Missouri
As others have stated, this is the most common way Thieves break into GM cars with these types of handles/locks. Had a thief try and break into my 00 Grand Prix GTP using the same method on both doors, not only did they pop the locks in, but they also damaged the door skin trying to get the lock to to unlock after it was pushed in. Now my GTP has no locks in the handles in order to deter this from ever happening again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 544
From: Appleton WI
After you fix the lock, buy a painted key hole cover. It makes it appear you don't have a key opening anymore and may deter someone from trying to break in.
It is just a magnet and can be removed if you need to use your key to access the car. Makes the handle look a little cleaner IMO and potentially keeps some crud from getting into the cylinder.
It is just a magnet and can be removed if you need to use your key to access the car. Makes the handle look a little cleaner IMO and potentially keeps some crud from getting into the cylinder.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 315
St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
$20 for a small magnet! Corvette tax in full effect. I like this option better 
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...le-covers.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...le-covers.html