1977 911 Key Blade Replacement

[tonyduc]

All

I looking for information on how to replace the key blade and keep the same FOB as pictured. I see many instructions for later models but nothing for earlier cars, if this is possible ? The FOB comes apart to replace the battery but I don't see a way to pull the blade out. Also, is it possible for an ordinary locksmith to make a copy from a blank ?

[nickelplated5s]

I would suggest going to a dealer for a new fob and have them program it for your car.

[EC900]

I have a 1977 but not the light up fob just the original red and black plastic ones. They’re just as flimsy and break off to exposing a loose blade/shank that can fall out and get lost. The plastic case is molded onto the blade and not replaceable on the red/black key fobs, I suspect your light-up fob is molded too.

Unfortunately I sealed my broken red/back plastic type key cases by dipping them in ABS plastic to seal and stiffen them up (ugly, but secure) so I can’t say if the key blade inside would be the same as yours if you were to separate it from the light-up case and made just a copy the blade pattern.
My opinion is the amount of tension on turning a repaired fob is that fixing it might with the best of JBWeld or ABS would add bulk, certainly bulge out and both halves might on close back up.

That’s not a remote and just a light - right ? Dealer can direct you with part # and possibly source/replace.
Maybe there’s blank light-up fobs still available somewhere. Worse case, the red and blacks are available genuine or generic ,and sparsely the all metal common variety.

The found these all metal replacement blanks for my 1977 on the ebay…($5 or so)….to add to my spare key inventory and a set for the magnetic hide-a-key compartment.
#’s are PO5 ILCO (doors) and X32 Taylor (ignition).
Some of these generics look alike, so be mindful of insertion groove pattern.

Is that your only key? Ignition(?) if so you got lucky it didn’t break in the cylinder. Not lucky is there’s no spare to start the car. No key code written in the owners manual by chance (mine wasn’t) ?

Yes - a good old fashioned locksmith shop and proprietor can probably cut and work with these broken stubs, but go there with the car if possible. He said that old worn keys present a problem to get just right that may need onsite adjustments but depends on how much meat is left on the key and if worn cylinder tumblers will cooperate too. Says all keys are not perfect, so it’s touch and go if it works at all. But they have the experience and trade secrets.

Hope this helps you and others with our old key dilemma.

[76FJ55]

The blades are not replaceable on the plastic 4 sided key heads the newer 5 sided heads are the ones with the replaceable blades.

[tonyduc]

Thanks to all for the info. I only have a red spare (valet) do make a copy, so I won’t have a regular key that also works for the glove box - no key on this 77 car for the frunk.

[dg567]

Take the broken piece to the locksmith, I'm pretty certain he can make you a copy from it.

[76FJ55]

the red and the black keys have the same cut, so the should be able to make you a standard non valet key from the red one you have. the difference is in the side profile of the key blank. As you can see in the image below you will notice the red key has an extra groove up the right side.

[EC900]

Hx911 -
For what its worth…I have a black key (master?) that locks the glove box and doors. And another that doesn’t. A Valet key won’t open glove box. Looks like my red key/black key patterns are mixed up and cut on wrong color code on two sets. Fiddling between two keys is a fuss.

It might be the same key blank used for the ignition, definitely different than the door-only key.
So you’ll need an ignition blank to make (cut) a key for your glove box key in the door key pattern.

Good point 76FJ35…side profiles.
Here’s. Good site on G body Porsche generic key blanks.

https://keymateinc.com/shop-online/key-blanks/automotive-keys/plastic-head/ilco-po5-p-porsche-plastic-head-key-blank-po5-detail.html

[76FJ55]

As far as I know, originally the doors, ignition and glovebox (plus hood release on later cars) should have all had the same cut. If you have different keys for any of these it is because lock cylinders have been changed over the years.