Locks, Ignition and Keys
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 82
Likes: 2
From: Okanogan, WA
Locks, Ignition and Keys
Hi all, I've been having problems with my key intermittently not turning my door locks. It works fine in the ignition, but sometimes I have to jiggle it around to get my door locks to work. I was thinking the locks themselves might be worn, but now I'm thinking its my key. I've taken my locks out of my doors and completely cleaned and lubed them and they did not appear to be worn whatsoever. Looking at my key, it appears to be worn significantly. I had a spare made and it acts almost exactly the same. Once again I thought maybe the locks, but then came to life and realized the spare that was cut is just going to follow the same "worn" pattern as my main key.
The question: Would the dealership be able to get me new keys based on my VIN or am I looking at a complete lock/ignition/key set replacement.
The question: Would the dealership be able to get me new keys based on my VIN or am I looking at a complete lock/ignition/key set replacement.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 261
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
I'm interested in this question too. Got the same problem. Have the spare key from when I bought the truck that I only use if I lock the truck when I leave it running and both do the same thing. Work OK in the ignition but not on the door locks. Passenger side door lock is not used very much and same problem with keys. I read one time of someone getting a new key from the dealership and fixing the problem. I assumed it was made new using the VIN # or key number, I just haven't got around to getting it done. Would like to know for sure before I buy an expensive key from a dealership.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
Take your worn key to a genuine locksmith. Drive your truck there so you can check results immediately. Tell him you have a worn key and you want him to either "clip" a key, or make it with his "code" key machine.
Either method should get you a key that has the depths of cuts that were originally on the key.
He'll measure your old key, take into consideration the amount of wear, and determine what the cuts need to be.
He should actually be the locksmith, not some kid working in the shop as an appretice.
Yes, it will be a lot cheaper than the dealer, especially if you can provide him with the Ford key code. It may be written down in your Owner's Manual, as some dealer salesmen have a habit of doing that as a service.
Pop
Either method should get you a key that has the depths of cuts that were originally on the key.
He'll measure your old key, take into consideration the amount of wear, and determine what the cuts need to be.
He should actually be the locksmith, not some kid working in the shop as an appretice.
Yes, it will be a lot cheaper than the dealer, especially if you can provide him with the Ford key code. It may be written down in your Owner's Manual, as some dealer salesmen have a habit of doing that as a service.
Pop
Last edited by SpringerPop; Dec 15, 2005 at 01:51 PM.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 82
Likes: 2
From: Okanogan, WA
Originally Posted by SpringerPop
Take your worn key to a genuine locksmith. Drive your truck there so you can check results immediately. Tell him you have a worn key and you want him to either "clip" a key, or make it with his "code" key machine.
Either method should get you a key that has the depths of cuts that were originally on the key.
He'll measure your old key, take into consideration the amount of wear, and determine what the cuts need to be.
He should actually be the locksmith, not some kid working in the shop as an appretice.
Yes, it will be a lot cheaper than the dealer, especially if you can provide him with the Ford key code. It may be written down in your Owner's Manual, as some dealer salesmen have a habit of doing that as a service.
Pop
Either method should get you a key that has the depths of cuts that were originally on the key.
He'll measure your old key, take into consideration the amount of wear, and determine what the cuts need to be.
He should actually be the locksmith, not some kid working in the shop as an appretice.
Yes, it will be a lot cheaper than the dealer, especially if you can provide him with the Ford key code. It may be written down in your Owner's Manual, as some dealer salesmen have a habit of doing that as a service.
Pop
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 261
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by SpringerPop
Take your worn key to a genuine locksmith. Drive your truck there so you can check results immediately. Tell him you have a worn key and you want him to either "clip" a key, or make it with his "code" key machine.
Yes, it will be a lot cheaper than the dealer, especially if you can provide him with the Ford key code. It may be written down in your Owner's Manual, as some dealer salesmen have a habit of doing that as a service.
Pop
Yes, it will be a lot cheaper than the dealer, especially if you can provide him with the Ford key code. It may be written down in your Owner's Manual, as some dealer salesmen have a habit of doing that as a service.
Pop
Just kidding. Thanks SP, I sometimes forget about those independent individuals trying to make a living, i.e. locksmiths.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
Yes, the independant locksmith can provide you with a logo'ed rubber-bowed (a "bow" is the part of the key you hold between your thumb and forefinger) key if that's important to you. He may want to first cut a cheaper blank, to make sure he has the right code before cutting it onto the Ford one, but it all can be done.
Though I don't do it for a living, I am a State of California-licensed locksmith. LCO-604, to be precise. It was a fun avocation, but you don't want to be doing ANY work in the field without a license. It's basically a fingerprint and background check. So, I have a license, but don't know squat about automotive lock work, which is a pretty specialized field with lots of very specialized (read expensive) tools.
Pop
Though I don't do it for a living, I am a State of California-licensed locksmith. LCO-604, to be precise. It was a fun avocation, but you don't want to be doing ANY work in the field without a license. It's basically a fingerprint and background check. So, I have a license, but don't know squat about automotive lock work, which is a pretty specialized field with lots of very specialized (read expensive) tools.
Pop
Last edited by SpringerPop; Dec 15, 2005 at 06:28 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 136
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Springerpop, I knew you was a locksmith before I got that far along in your post.
I wish people would consider the locksmith more often. We are usually cheaper than the dealer or mechanics. Most dealers bring there stuff to us and double or triple charge the customer.
They can usually give you a pretty accurate estimate before they do anything.
But like all professions there are good and bad, and yes he can code out a key to factory specs. usually anywhere from $5.00 to $10.00 bucks plus the key would be a fair price.
I wish people would consider the locksmith more often. We are usually cheaper than the dealer or mechanics. Most dealers bring there stuff to us and double or triple charge the customer.
They can usually give you a pretty accurate estimate before they do anything.
But like all professions there are good and bad, and yes he can code out a key to factory specs. usually anywhere from $5.00 to $10.00 bucks plus the key would be a fair price.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
Originally Posted by thefonz#1
I wish people would consider the locksmith more often. We are usually cheaper than the dealer or mechanics. Most dealers bring there stuff to us and double or triple charge the customer.
Pop
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