TeamSwift

Here's how I cut a key for a 92 geo vert
I have done this for many of my rides
that I've had
Sprint's, Geo's, Chevy, Ford, Yamaha,

-------------- Why ?? -------
Because
I found that cars are cheeper if the owners lost the key's
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Because i like to try to john wayne everything
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I live on an Island and the only Key service is
the stock boy @ True value hardware store
(no lock smith)

It's not that hard and doesn't take any skill to cut a key
with a file and with a blank key ($ 2)
from any hardware store and
an hour of labor

- or you could if you know of a full service locksmith
get the numbers off the lock
or take the lock in they can cut you a key

Here's what I used a scewdriver (Phillips),10mm wrench,
a small straight screwdriver, hammer, and a file,

17 pictures

this is the trunk for the geo are car's take 1 key
The Ignition or the Trunk key have all the Sliders (Tumblers )
I call them key gates
Because they slide to allow the inner cylinder to turn when
retracted by the key
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This is the back of the lock after removed from the car
Remove the "C" clip with a screwdrivertake off the Latch arm
(Blank Key)
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.Remove the outer casing around the lock
usually 2 crimps spot on both sides
hold your finger on the end of the lock so the inner parts
(3)( Keyhole tin,Gate, & Gate spring), don't came apart
before you can remove them
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Fuzzy picture what the outer case with the key hole tin and gate
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. Here's the case tin, (round)( far right)
Key hole tin, Gate (inblue)
& The gate spring (Red)
that goes under the gate and were they go in the front of the lock
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The inner lock cylinder half way out of the lock
with half of the Key sliders sticking out
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.The lock set disasembled
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The inner cylinders with the "Sliders"

(Note the sliders sit in a chanel with a spring behind them
becarful not to pull them out or let them fall out)
or your "F" tring to figure out wich why thet go back in

they
are set with diffrent height for the key cut or code for each car
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.Put the blank key in the inner cylinder (all the way)
scribe the key were it stick out the lock with a pen
Mark side of the cylinders were the slider stick out

This key is 1 up 2 down 4down 5 up 8down
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.remove the key hold it next to the inner clinder and mark the key
were you have marks in the cylinder were the sliders were sticking out
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. I start at the tip see the marks on the key take a file and cut using
the edge of the file dont cut to deep
little by little

------- My first cut on the tip ----------

cut a little try the key cut a little more try the key
till you see the slider that your working move in
then you know your in the right spot
dont cut to sharpe of a grove
the sliders have to be able to slide over the

high profies and the groves your cutting in the Key
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.Finished the first set of cuts
This is what it should look like with no slider sticking out of the inner cylinder
The key is a working key
it will work one side if you flipped it over it would not work just one side
you could now take it to your hardware store and have them cut a key
usiing this key they just have to flip it over
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If you wanted a finished key just mark the key and cut on
the opposite side of the key

This is my key both sides cut
incert key into inner cylinder slide them into the lock Remove key
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Picture of the parts before tin is installed
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Insert the gate spring then the gate and the key hole tin
should stay togather because there are to fingers on the key hole tin
that holds the gate and spring on the inner cylinders
install the outer tin case (round) crimp the 2 sides were they were crimp from factory
turn it over install the latch lever with the small "C" clip
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.2 screws hold it on the back trunk piece screw the trunk piece on the end of the car
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. -------------------------------- JV&S -------------------
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too

Good write up.

Really nice to know how its done , but for $3 I can get my keys copied in less than 5min.

I would try to do that one time though.

_________________
1991-GTi: JE 75mm 11:1 pistons,Ported head, Single UD pulley (OCC),Sandros chip,Aluminium flywheel,3tech 222/365 cams, Cultus headers,Cultus IM,50mm tb,Crane cams adjustable cam gears,Apex suspension, 4.39fd GB.
1989-GTi: 3Tech 210/340 Cams,Cultus IM, B&G springs, TD04L turbo, Apexi SAFC, Suzukird UD pulley, Circuitse7en dual boost controller, AEM wideband, AEM water / meth injection kit, HKS bov.
2001-Altezza AS200: Stock.-sold
2003-EVO7 GT-A
Aruba "one happy island".

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Thanks

Ya thats good if you have a key to copy !!

But if you lose your key or break it off
And don't live anywere close to a locksmith

At least you can try this
it's not that hard to do

seems like alot of work when for 5 bucks you can bring your vin number into the appropriate dealership and using their records can cut you a new key without having a hard copy to follow. i didi it with my 91 sprint vert phoned my uncle with my vin number and that day i had myself a nice new key but hey whatever tickles your pickle

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CURSE MY ENEMIES FOREVER LETS SLIT OUR WRISTS AND BURN DOWN SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL.

the local chevy dealers charge $16 for a key blank and $32 to do the look up and cut a key from a VIN. they also require proof of ownership and a valid ID before they even pull the keycode.

_________________
1991 Blue Geo Metro Convertible highly modified 1.0L Turbo3 5 spd. - 1991 Red Geo Metro Convertible customized with a Twincam 5 spd.

My Turbo3 Project
My Cardomain Page -Ol' Blue
My YouTube Channel
My Photo Gallery
SAAB Sonett II

i guess cause my uncles is treasurer at a dealership i get the hookups

_________________
CURSE MY ENEMIES FOREVER LETS SLIT OUR WRISTS AND BURN DOWN SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL.

not all dealers have the codes to do this also for older models. me and a friend spent a day calling all the toyota dealers around trying to find one that could cut his key. in the end he paid 150 for a locksmith to come out and do it.

great rightup JV&S, could have used it a few months back

--- Sorry for being late with the post
I've been thinking about this write up
for a while and hooptie/TMD & I
just found this Geo vert - (No key's)
--- Sooooo !




If anyone wants to try it
I might have an a spare lock or two
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my 30 year key collection
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. -------------- JV&S ----------------
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scott, you are the key man.

finding a complete set of vert locks with a key is about like winning the lottery so your how to is like gold.

a mod should sticky this and move it to the 'FAQs....start here' or 'verts' section.

_________________
1991 Blue Geo Metro Convertible highly modified 1.0L Turbo3 5 spd. - 1991 Red Geo Metro Convertible customized with a Twincam 5 spd.

My Turbo3 Project
My Cardomain Page -Ol' Blue
My YouTube Channel
My Photo Gallery
SAAB Sonett II

Excellent write up. I've done stuff like this numerous times for both automotive and residential locks. I personally prefer to use a Dremel with a cutoff wheel, running at a low speed to do the bulk of the material removal and key shaping, followed up with a jeweler's file for cleaning things up.

The problem with getting keys cut from the VIN, is that there is no way to compensate for lock wear. If your old keys required wiggling, so will the new ones. Key duplication also introduces generational inaccuracies in the copied keys. Most dollar stores and corner stores that do key cutting on the side never bother with getting their machine realigned. I only go to places like these to buy key blanks.

The same method described in this tread can be used for rekeying locks. When the lock is apart simply move the disks/tumbers around, and make a new key. All the old keys will no longer work with the lock, and you didn't have to pay for replacement of the lock mechanism(s).


When the key is inserted, the tumblers only contact the valleys of the notches, the V shaped peaks that most keys have are entirely useless. I grind them off when I make keys, and make nice smooth contours from one "valley" to another. When you use a key like this it glides into the lock completely without effort.

Another thing, the outer face of the lock and the little flapper door are made of stainless steel. What I sometimes like to do is put a polishing wheel in the Dremel and buff those pieces up to nice mirror finish. I've been known to polish the key too, but brass doesn't hold a shine like stainless does.

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as an alternative, you can just put your original key in each of the 'new' tumblers and file/grind the sliders down to match (flush).
it's really quick and easy.
I had to match door locks to the ignition on a pieced together 911 that way.

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'92 Swift GT, '94 Swift GT, '88 Turbo Sprint, '98 Swift ... all sold years ago

That works on tumbler locks, but not disk locks where the disk sticks out from both the top or bottom. I've done it to a disk lock once, and it completely destroyed any security it had. The tolerance for the shear line became so large, that wiggling a paper clip was all that was needed to open the lock. If this done with a pin tumbler lock that has spring loaded follower pins, there's no problem.

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good to know, but locks are only meant to keep the honest people out
thieves don't use paperclips, they use slide hammers, screwdrivers, slim jims, & brute force (unless you own a convertible, then they just use a knife)

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'92 Swift GT, '94 Swift GT, '88 Turbo Sprint, '98 Swift ... all sold years ago

Nice write up.

I finally got around to trying this. i got tired of having to reach thru the hatch to unlock my doors. So I needed to make a key that works with my odd door locks. And no, i couldn't go to the hdw and have one made or go to the dealer, since I have no original key or vin # to go along with the doors that aren't original to the car. This thread fits my specific needs exactly. It worked great, thanks for the write-up!

BTW, i did have to get an ignition key made by a dealer with the vin# last year. That was due to breakage and no spare. It did only cost $5 at this dealer. I thought that was extremely reasonable.

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jamie
94 geo metro 1.0L 3cyl 5speed, 4 door hatch
best tank, 81.22 U.S. mpg
90 day ave, 69.23 U.S. mpg
longest range on 1 tank, 790 miles
(click below to see more info on my car, including a gas log)
http://www.gassavers.org/garage/view/272

I had an email recently asking if I knew how to remove the end of a ffly vert key that had broken off in the ignition lock. (Those of us with 'verts know how easy it is to bend the key while opening the trunk cover, I've certainly done it several times! ) The guy is still driving the car so the remaining part of the key can still be pushed in and the whole barrel rotated.

I know from my 'vert that the ignition switch/lock assby is fitted to the steering column with bolts that have had their heads snapped off after fitting, so the only way to remove the lock assby is to centre drill the bolts and use a screw extractor.

Is there any way to remove the lock barrel without removing the whole steering lock assembly, and/or short of just fitting a new/sh steering lock with a different key, how would you go about removing the broken key tip?

Thanks for any help!

Colin

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http://pontiacfirefly.com
My E'vert http://pontiacfirefly.com/ecarGallery/

The Ign Lock unit in your steering wheel is actually held on by 2 screws with rounded heads, they look like rivets but they are not.
If you take a dremmel with a small cutting wheel, and gring a slot into each of what looks like a round head rivet.
You can take a flat blade screwdriver and unscrew the bolts and remove the lock assembly quite easily.
Then you can work on the lock

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"I love the whine of a turbo in the mornin" 1991 Sprint Turbo
"I also love the 7500 rpm scream of a DOHC" 2X 1989 Swift GTi's a 92 and Jr's new 93 GT

Keep your eye on the boost guage!
And I love this one!
"Dale Jarrett's crew chief" "Drive it like ya STOLE IT!"

i just bought a used car and on my drivers side door the key just spins.

if i were to get any old lock cylinder that fits the make and model of my car, could a locksmith somehow make my original key compatible with the replaced lock?

thanks for any help guys.

Yes a locksmith can key a cylinder to your key, had a couple done cast me about 40 bucks.

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"I love the whine of a turbo in the mornin" 1991 Sprint Turbo
"I also love the 7500 rpm scream of a DOHC" 2X 1989 Swift GTi's a 92 and Jr's new 93 GT

Keep your eye on the boost guage!
And I love this one!
"Dale Jarrett's crew chief" "Drive it like ya STOLE IT!"

or i could meet up with and show yo how its done I get to Tacoma twice a week....jv&s

Is it the key that spins or the key and core ??Correct me if I'm wrong but if the key and core spin that might be as simple as a new snap ring.

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You can love your dog ..Just don't love your dog.!