Removing Ignition Switch in 67- NO KEY

[Brandon K.]

Hi. Can anyone tell me if there is a SIMPLE way to get the ignition switch out of a midyear dash if the key is gone? I am considering buying a cluster housing with the lock in place, but no key. How much trouble am I asking for????

Thank you as always!
Brandon

[Mike M.]

Re: Removing Ignition Switch in 67- NO KEY

take cluster to locksmith and have new key made. the lock cylinder has to be turned fully to the counterclockwise position(accessory) before you can insert a paper clip etc into the hole in the bezel which releases the cylinder from the switch. mike

[Brandon K.]

Re: Removing Ignition Switch in 67- NO KEY

Any idea how much locksmiths charge to do this? Sounds like it might be an expensive proposition. thanks for your help.

Brandon

[Gary B.]

Removing Ignition Switch in 67- NO KEY

Brandon,

My brother is an experienced, old-school locksmith and I've seen him use lockpick tools to pick mid-year locks in less than a minute. If you came into his shop (Cape Cod, MA) with your cluster, I think he could pick the lock and make you a new key for less than $30. I think he'd prefer that you not watch him pick the lock, so that you don't see how easy he makes it look. But he has 25 years of experience to be able to do those things. I think you should be able to find an old-school locksmith in most cities who can do the same thing for about the same price. Well, maybe not in Beverly Hills for the same price.

Gary

[Jack H.]

Re: Removing Ignition Switch in 67- NO KEY

The last time I had one done it was about $25. There are several ways for the locksmith to proceed: quick & dirty, clever, and the big hammer approach.

(1) Quick & Dirty: he uses a 'pick lock' tool to get the lock tumblers into position to release on a 'one shot' basis and rotates the lock cylinder to its release position for removal. A good locksmith can do this in 5-10 minutes flat IF he's good AND the lock is in good working order.

(2) Clever: he uses a fiber optic imaging probe to look inside the lock cylinder and read the color codes on the factory original tumblers (cooper, nickle, Etc.). Factory original tumblers or 'wafers' were colored differently unique to their depth or 'key cut' functionality. From this he dials in the cut sequence to his code key machine and spits out a duplicate key for the lock. Problem: approach won't work if the lock's not factory original or has been re-coded using generic tumblers.

(3) Big Hammer: he hand cuts a key blank one cut at a time via trial and error using magnified visual inspection of its fit as he goes until he has a functional key.

An alternative to the above is to give him the lock's original code sequence that he can dial into his code cutting key machine. You can't see the code with the lock cylinder installed... BUT, if the car's 'untouched' it ought to be the same as the codes stamped on the outside of the door lock assy's and these are reasonably easy to access in a straight axle or mid-year car by simply removing a door panel and pulling the lock assy out for visual inspection.

Again, all bets are off if the locks have been re-coded and/or are non-original to the car. Cost for key cut from original code is $5-10 plus the cost of the key blank.

[Mike M.]

Re: Removing Ignition Switch in 67- NO KEY

fees probably vary from region to region. when dipstick and i did the drags at Palmdale calif the year the nationals were in anaheim, my brother left the strip with the keys to my tow truck. as i recall, the locksmith drove out to the drag strip, got the truck unlocked, pulled the ing switch lock cyl, and made me a new key. think it was 50 bucks in 91 or 92. taking the cluster to a locksmith shouldn't be but half of what i paid(and went thru that day--it musta been 105 degrees, the wife and kids were cranky and i left my beast cooler back at the host hotel). always carry a spare key in the ole wallet since then. let us know what the locksmith charges. mike

[Gary B.]

Jack: Quick & Dirty vs. masterful

Jack,

Having seen my brother pick a mid-year spare tire lock in less than 1 minute and closely watching his hands and fingers in the process, I can tell you that my impression was of seeing a process that I woud never describe as quick and dirty. I was watching a master at work and I was very envious of his skills. And I tend not to get envious of quick and dirty.

Gary

[Philip C.]

Re: Get out drill and drill it out

After *****e footen around with the above, get the drill out, and drill out the lock enough to get to the brass pin, push it in turn the cylinder counter clock wise with a screw driver out it comes and your done. Phil 8063

[Terry F.]

Re: Removing Ignition Switch in 67- NO KEY

The place I go to gave me a couple key rings that were used in that year. I inserted them one at a time and giggled and shook and turned untill I found one that worked. Then, we removed the lock and re-keyed it. Cost me a couple bucks. Terry