Ignition Key

[Jesset100]

I just bought a 1982 911SC and am looking to get extra keys made. I read the owners manual (Yea yea I know) and it said I need a key number as well as the VIN. I have no idea what the key number is. I am the 4th owner of this car. I have looked everywere in the car and all the paperwork that came with the car. No luck!
I have heard that the dealer can get this number using the VIN but it is quite expensive to do. Any thoughts about this will be helpful.
Jesse

[Rot 911]

Why not just have them make a key off the one you are presently using?

[Jdub]

He is going to want both the valet key and the full owner key. Valet key permits door/ignition only. Owner key adds (Targa) front hood latch key and glovebox.

So yeah, you'll add value to your car to get that key via the VIN.

John

[safecracker]

Go to a locksmith that does car work, you will pay 1/10 the price and it will get done correctly. Call local locksmiths in your area to see who is equipped to take care of you.

[Early_S_Man]

You don't need the key code to have a valet key made ... the cut pattern is the same for both master and valet keys! The grooves in the key blank determine whether it is a master or valet key.

You can get a generic key blank at almost any Ace hardware or Wal-Mart store ... or you could order the 'proper' red and black handle blanks from Pelican ... and get them cut locally!

[na2ub]

I tried to get mine duplicated at Lowe's and the guy did not have a blank with the proper grooves. I figured I would have to order some appropriate blanks.

[soup dragon]

Pelican do the blanks
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/911M/POR_911M_miscel_pg6.htm#item28

[safecracker]

Originally posted by Early_S_Man
You don't need the key code to have a valet key made ... the cut pattern is the same for both master and valet keys! The grooves in the key blank determine whether it is a master or valet key.

You can get a generic key blank at almost any Ace hardware or Wal-Mart store ... or you could order the 'proper' red and black handle blanks from Pelican ... and get them cut locally!

Although I have owned a locksmith for over 30 years, I am not here to drum up business for locksmiths in general. My only goal is to give you some direction, as the locksmith industry is probably one of the most misunderstood services to the general public.

First I must preface my statement with there are many different types of locksmiths. Some specialize in auto related work and various degrees of auto related service. Although my shop formally did extensive auto work, my company is primarily a safe & vault company. Like any other business, some locksmiths are better than others and I am going to make general statements.

This is the bottom line. Locksmiths know how to make keys because they understand how a lock mechanism works. Their machines are calibrated accurately and they usually have a large variety of key machines that specialize in certain designs of keys.

Although I am sure there are a "few" home centers or long established hardware stores that can do a good job, the chances are slim. The problem is generally from out of adjustment machines, unskilled employees and just an overall lack of knowledge about the job.

You mention about trying to get key code numbers from the dealer to get more keys. If you have a good working key, simply bring the key to a locksmith who is equipped for auto work and they will duplicate it while you wait. If you have a poor or worn key, they are capable of "decoding" the cut information from that key and create a new one made to factory specs. Although a key code is nice, a real auto locksmith can solve your trouble without it.

For people who may not have a locksmith in your area who stocks Porsche blanks, then purchase them from Pelican and let a locksmith cut them. Be aware that if a keyblank is made of steel (is it magnetic) instead of brass or nickel/silver, they may refuse to cut it.

The best analogy I can offer you is you would't bring your Porsche to a mechanic who knows nothing about Porsches, don't expect a home center 99% of the time to make your Porsche key accurately.

I hope I have given you some help, sorry for the long response. Phil

[Jesset100]

Thanks Everyone!
The keys I do have are the original ones and they are quite worn. They do start the car as well as open the doors. I just wanted to make a "master" reference key for the next 22 years.
Jesse

[H20911]

I bought these blanks when I was having a few cut because they make nice unexpected gifts. they were about 2.00 if i recall so I bought 10. I figured for 20 bucks I'm pretty set because you can't always get them everywhere. Sure they are generic but what they start is special not the damn Key.

[Rot 911]

I always get my keys cut at a locksmith here in town. Doesn't cost me anymore than if I get them cut at the K-Mart and have never had one not work.

[Jdub]

Learn something new everyday: thanks Warren and safecracker!

John

Here is an interesting link on Neiman keys for BMW motorcycles: it explains the key code, but is more interesting for the way Duane approached dealing with customers and original keys. It is quite a good read in my opinion:

http://www.w6rec.com/duane/bmw/keys/keys.htm

[}{arlequin]

Why would they refuse to cut it if it's made of steel?

[yelcab1]

Originally posted by }{arlequin
Why would they refuse to cut it if it's made of steel?

Because steel is harder than brass and it wears out their cutting tools prematurely. They may cut it, but they may also want $20.

[}{arlequin]

Thanks.

I have a fix to attend. What sort of action should I take?:
My passenger side lock does not work. It locks the door, but only from the inside. The key does not work from the outside.
1. Is it fixable, or do I have to get another tumbler? (On Pelican the lock comes with 2 keys, are those blanks or are they configured to the new lock?
2. If they are configured to the new lock, do I reconfigure the new lock to the old one and the ignition, or do I change the driver's side lock to match the new lock and key, and then do the ignition?

I know that one way gives me more things to change but I'm wondering whether overhauling everything at once will not help me in the long run?

[rcm]

Local locksmith just made keys for me. One was for the hood, as I have a Targa. That key was 12.50 and he gave me an extra. The dealership wanted 75.00 for tha same w/ vin number. That came with no promise it would work.

Either deal I had to take the lock mechanisim out.

[Rot 911]

Originally posted by }{arlequin
Thanks.

I have a fix to attend. What sort of action should I take?:
My passenger side lock does not work. It locks the door, but only from the inside. The key does not work from the outside.
1. Is it fixable, or do I have to get another tumbler? (On Pelican the lock comes with 2 keys, are those blanks or are they configured to the new lock?
2. If they are configured to the new lock, do I reconfigure the new lock to the old one and the ignition, or do I change the driver's side lock to match the new lock and key, and then do the ignition?

I know that one way gives me more things to change but I'm wondering whether overhauling everything at once will not help me in the long run?

Dave I would just make sure the door locks and glove box lock use the same key as the ignition. You can take the ignition key and the door locks (of course you will be without the door handle while this goes on) to a locksmith and he can rekey the door handle tumblers to match the ignition. I even think Wayne has a DIY tech article on it in the tech articles section of the main page.

[SalazarS2K]

As someone who was in the exact situation 2 weeks ago, I totally agree with safecracker on this one. I had ordered my key fob/light and key blank from pelican and tried to take it to the local Home Depot. No dice, their machines weren't able to cut "Porsche" keys so I looked elsewhere. I'm glad too since they looked like a bunch of amateurs running the key station. I ended up going to a local locksmith who specializes in home/store vaults and 2min./ $2 later, I had a perfect spare key that looks like the original.

[ruf-porsche]

Originally posted by Jdub
He is going to want both the valet key and the full owner key. Valet key permits door/ignition only. Owner key adds (Targa) front hood latch key and glovebox.

So yeah, you'll add value to your car to get that key via the VIN.

John

VALET park a Porsche?

Question: Who valet park their PORSCHE?

Answer: Porsche owner who didn't watch the movie No Man's Land with Charlie Sheen.

[RickM]

Originally posted by ruf-porsche

Question: Who valet park their PORSCHE?

I never go to a place that insists they Valet my 911. Other cars yes...not the 911.

Regarding locks. Is it possible for the lock internals to wear so the new key, made to original code, will not work optimally or at all?

I've pretty much quit going to home center key cutters. Too many return trips. The local locksmith is dead on everytime. Costwise he's a little higher than home centers and sometimes as much as a dealer. All depends on the key type and machine required for the cut.