keys stolen

cknoll · cknoll's Garage

Hello,

recently my house was broken into and the keys to my '77 911 were stolen. Some time in my cars past the door locks were changed so they don't match the ignition key. Now I need to look at re-keying the car. My first choice would be to change the keys all together, but I'm wondering about how difficult it is to get the ignition tumbler out. From what I understand there is a small pin the needs to be drilled out. Does anyone have some advice for how to do this? Any other suggestions? AAA quoted me $220.00 just to get new keys made for the old locks so I'm thinking I may try to change the lock cores all together.

brads911sc · brads911sc's Garage

perhaps you can leave the ignition, have a key made for that, and change the doors to match the current ignition...

pete3799 · pete3799's Garage

Don't drill the pin itself,drill next to it then work it out with a pick or a small nail etc.
If you angle the drill towards the pin it helps.

tony9704 · 10-07-2009, 01:40 PM

Im guessing you need to remove the ignition to access the "pin" you're referring to. This is a Major P.I.A. I you can have it re-keyed for $220, I would probably do it just to avoid removing all of the fasteners without heads on them. This is a security measure against theft, but creates problems for service. They all have to be drilled and extracted. Ask me how I know. If you feel like tackling this anyway, there are several helpful threads related to ignition removal.

P.S. you do not have to remove the knee pads as many will tell you to get the ignition out. good luck....

dad911 · 10-07-2009, 01:56 PM

I would change the cylinders. If they have the keys, they may come back for the car.

Will your homeowners/theft insurance cover it?

Fast Corners · 10-07-2009, 02:40 PM

"I would change the cylinders. If they have the keys, they may come back for the car."

+1 to that...remove the coil wire or take the rotor with you when you leave the car alone until you get it re-keyed or re-cylindered?

lindemans · 10-07-2009, 02:48 PM

I once had my keys stolen from the door as I was taking something from the trunk (!). This happenen in Istanbul with my 1980 Mercedes.

I called a lock-specialist to help out, as I did not dare to leave my car alone anymore. The guy took something like a nail-file and started my car as quickly and easily as I would with the original key. This enabled me to drive home, get the spare key, and have the locks re-pinned (for USD 50 all 4 them ...).

Funny enough I had to stop for gas on the way home as I was empty: the guy at the gas station asked me to swith off the engine. I then told him I couldn't because I didn't have my keys with me ...

....

Moral of the story: old style locks provide a false sense of security.
Yet I would have them re-pinned as a set with one entirely new key, as I did then too.

cknoll · cknoll's Garage

Thanks for the advice everyone. I have removed several important parts of the car. It would be very difficult to start if you didn't happen to have a few spare parts with you. Actually, I had been doing that anyway as a precaution, which is probably why the car wasn't taken... lesson learned, it is a very good idea to disable your car even if you are storing it in your garage. I think these were just neighborhood high school kids, they didn't even figure out how to hook up the battery.

Anyway, I ordered a new door lock cylinder and will tackle this project when it comes in.
Thanks again everyone.

SteveinTO · 10-07-2009, 09:22 PM

You can have the door lock cylinders re-keyed to the ignition cylinder. They're easy to get at relative to the ignition. Even if you pull the ignition unit and re-key all three, you shouldn't need to buy the pricey cylinders. A good locksmith can re-key all three cylinders if you choose that route. Don't forget to do the glove box while you're at it.

To get at the ignition unit you have to drill out the two retaining screws. A screwdriver will only turn them clockwise as an anti-theft measure. Then contort yourself under the dash to unplug the unit & pull it out. There's some good info & pics on that project.

Good luck!

cknoll · cknoll's Garage

Re-key accomplished! The ignition wasn’t so bad. I used a stripped screw remover on the two screws holding the ignition in. They were out in 30 seconds. I did however, run into trouble with the wire connector in back. I managed to brake off the plastic cover to the electrical part of the ignition switch instead of removing the plug. At least it was one of the cheapest parts I could have broken on the ignition. Always remember that 30 year old plastic electrical parts can be brittle!