ChrisRice Posted March 5, 2015 Report Posted March 5, 2015 How would someone go about finding out the key codes for their car? I went to http://key-men.comand purchased some OEM keys for my car, and thinking that the key codes were the numbers under the key section of my build card, I had them ordered to be cut. My car did not come with keys. Someone removed the tumbler pins from the ignition so that a blank would fit, and I want to get keys so that I can fix to original. I know that the door and trunk still have the tumbler pins in place. Is there any way that I can find out what the key codes would be? The people at key-men told me that it is not the three digit numbers on the build card, but instead a 4 digit number prefaced by one or two letters. Can anyone help please? Quote
Eneto-55 Posted March 5, 2015 Report Posted March 5, 2015 A lock smith should be able to get the code by measuring the length of each of the tumblers. My dad, who worked in the parts department of various US auto dealerships for pretty much his whole working career, cut so many keys over the years that he could just look at a key and "read" the code (going by the relative height & depth of each of the cuts). Quote
ChrisRice Posted March 5, 2015 Author Report Posted March 5, 2015 So I assume there are no markings on the tumbler pins that I could just look at to find the code? Quote
ChrisRice Posted March 6, 2015 Author Report Posted March 6, 2015 What is the 3 digit numbers on the build card? Quote
Eneto-55 Posted March 6, 2015 Report Posted March 6, 2015 So I assume there are no markings on the tumbler pins that I could just look at to find the code? I have never seen any. Back when I got my 46 I keyed the ignition cylinder to the key from my 72 Dodge Coronet. I think I just selected pins that were close to the right length, then filed them until the cylinder worked smoothly. I also made keys for some cabinet locks that way, too, back when I had more time than sense. I sold the 72 years ago, and I still haven't finished the 46, and don't remember now if I even still have a key for it. (The car still sits in my Dad's shop, over 900 miles away from me.) Quote
Seaside Pete Posted March 6, 2015 Report Posted March 6, 2015 I had the same problem, no keys with the car. Managed to get 1 door lock out, took it to a locksmith and he made me a key for it. I was hoping that the same key would fit the other lock, no such luck. After days of trying to undo the little set screw which would not budge I had to drill it out, even that was a task I went through quite a few drill bits until I finally got through. I had to re tap a larger thread and fit a new lock with new set screw. I hope you have better luck. Pete Quote
Solution JerseyHarold Posted March 7, 2015 Solution Report Posted March 7, 2015 A good locksmith may be able to make a key off one of the door lock cylinders (the process is called impressioning) while it's still in the car, then match your ignition key to it. I'd recommend using the passenger's side lock to work from, since it is probably less worn than the driver's side. 1 Quote
ChrisRice Posted March 7, 2015 Author Report Posted March 7, 2015 (edited) I'm going to have to try that though. I was told the cylinder might have the codes on them, so I will try that first. I pulled all of the locks and did not find anything on the that looked like a key code. I did find a 4 digit number on one, but I dont think thats it. I called a locksmith for pricing, when they found out what kind of car it is they said they would have someone call me back. That was yesterday, and I still havent heard back from them. I assume by now that I wont. There are no locksmiths in my area that can cut a key for a car that old. Edited March 8, 2015 by ChrisRice Quote
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