New Key

[aoncurly]

Years ago, I lost my original 911SC car key (with the lighted head) at the beach. I have a crappy all metal spare key that was cut from the original key (second generation). I've used it for years, but recently decided I want the original lighted key head that our host sells. So I bought the key blank and head (it really looks great) and had the key cut from the second generation key. So I have a third generation key and it doesn't work. I suspect that this third generation key has lost some of the original key definition and won't engage the tumblers.

Talking with my local Porsche dealer, I can get a new original key made from my VIN for $148.

Does anyone know of a cheaper solution to have an original key made up? I think I have the original key code card somewhere.

[OttawaDave]

$148?!?! Wow, how nice of them!

I'd have to think that a good locksmith/key-guy should be able to rework your 3rd gen key to get it to match...

Good luck!

[tirwin]

I will tell you a trick I saw a locksmith do once in a similar situation. He took one of those plastic blank keys and cut the general shape. Then he used a cig lighter to lightly scorch the blank. He gently slide the blank in the lock and wiggled it back and forth. Where the tumblers rubbed the blank it rubbed off the scorch marks and he used that to refine the real key until he had a good "master" again.

Trouble is finding a good auto locksmith. You know you have a solution if you have no other choice. It won't hurt to check around. Might come down to pure economics - your time finding a good locksmith and his labor vs just paying the $148 and being done with it.

[redstrosekNic]

Originally Posted by OttawaDave

$148?!?! Wow, how nice of them!

I'd have to think that a good locksmith/key-guy should be able to rework your 3rd gen key to get it to match...

Good luck!

+1 on the reworking...

One of the Porsche dealers around me just copied one of my keys to make a spare. Much cheaper.

[aoncurly]

Originally Posted by tirwin

I will tell you a trick I saw a locksmith do once in a similar situation. He took one of those plastic blank keys and cut the general shape. Then he used a cig lighter to lightly scorch the blank. He gently slide the blank in the lock and wiggled it back and forth. Where the tumblers rubbed the blank it rubbed off the scorch marks and he used that to refine the real key until he had a good "master" again.

Trouble is finding a good auto locksmith. You know you have a solution if you have no other choice. It won't hurt to check around. Might come down to pure economics - your time finding a good locksmith and his labor vs just paying the $148 and being done with it.

You wouldn't believe how difficult it is to find a locksmith at all! Most are mobile and they charge $110 for a service call. The locksmith I went to charged $10; the key blank which might be wasted was $25, so I'm already in $35. If I have the dealer do this, I'll have to buy another key blank, so it will really be $175.

[Flat Six]

A good local locksmith can cut you a new key based on the profile pins in your lock cores. Two suggestions:

1) pull the tumbler from your glove box and use that to have him/her cut you a new key; and
2) take a copy of your current registration/certificate of title (to prove you own the car) -- I've run into some locksmiths who are a little wary of creating new key profiles from blanks.

Hope this helps

[tirwin]

Originally Posted by aoncurly

You wouldn't believe how difficult it is to find a locksmith at all!

At least in my area, I had trouble finding anyone that had experience with old Porsche keys. All the places I called were enthusiastic until I told them it was an old Porsche and then they said "oh, you better go to the dealer" so I gave up. I'm sure there was probably a great locksmith around, but the trouble is finding them if you don't already know or know someone who knows. Seems around here most places are in for the volume of business and don't even want to fool with an old car. I guess they figure they could unlock at least two cars at Starbucks in the time it would take to work on my car.

YMMV of course! Good luck and I hope you get it resolved (and cheaply)!

[kidrock]

I've read that our locks have codes that are painted or stamped onto the ignition switch bodies. Is there a helpful Pelican that can post a picture of this, and/or tell us exactly where they are located on the switch?

[Joe Bob]

Do you have AAA, they have locksmith service. OR will reimburse you for a 'lost' key to be made.....

[TubbyAZ]

I just had my local dealer order a key for me a couple months ago. Non-lighted, I think about $60 cost. Used that key to have additional keys made.

However, they no longer go older than 84 now.

[BMWonly]

When I recently bought my 1980 SC, it only came with one old used and slightly bent key.
Bought an original blank Porsche key (with the light, had the Porsche parts # on it) on Ebay for $55.
Local locksmith cut it for $3, and it works fine.

Dieter

[www.porshaw.com]

You can take your old key, cut the head off with a dremel, configuring the top to fit the lighted key head slot.

[aoncurly]

Originally Posted by Flat Six

A good local locksmith can cut you a new key based on the profile pins in your lock cores. Two suggestions:

1) pull the tumbler from your glove box and use that to have him/her cut you a new key; and
2) take a copy of your current registration/certificate of title (to prove you own the car) -- I've run into some locksmiths who are a little wary of creating new key profiles from blanks.

Hope this helps

Taking the glove box tumbler is a great idea. When I bought my 911SC used, it only came with one key. Other Porsches I've owned had two keys - One key was like a skeleton key that opened the doors, glovebox and the ignition. The second key only opened the doors and ignition for valets. Any other 911SC owners out there with more than one key?

But the second idea is even better if the locksmith will do this. Somehow, I doubt they have access to the key profiles even if I show reg/pink slip (I am checking this though). If I can't get my locksmith to get the glovebox tumbler to work, I'll probably bite the bullet and get my key from Porsche.

Here is a pic of my new key that doesn't work and my old crappy key that does:

[Dublinoh]

They don't even look the same. Try again with someone else.

[gwmac]

Home | LockAndKeyID.Com
Tonys has a good reputation and I was very satisfied with his work. give him a look
good luck

[Porchcar guy]

Looks like the key light one needs to be flipped over to match the profile of the all metal one ... ebay has light and blank for $40 as of 5 minutes ago

[nesslar]

Originally Posted by Dublinoh

They don't even look the same. Try again with someone else.

Boy, once I saw that, I thought, "Man, no #$%$!" Not even close....I haven't read any further, didn't see the need. It looks like the guy got his pile of keys mixed up and gave you the key to someone else's car! Also agree, doesn't look at all like the right 'blank'...

[aoncurly]

The new key fits into the slot and should work. I know it seems odd, but I remember thinking the same thing when the spare key was made years ago. They don't look alike - the groove on one isn't on the other. But the original key was grooved like the new key in the pic.

[aoncurly]

Can someone with a 81 SC or like year take a closeup pic of your original key and post please?

[nesslar]

Nope. Let's look closely; new key ain't even close, wrong planet. Take your old key to a grizzled old veteran at Ace Hardware, like I did years ago. My original key was well worn, he made me a perfect copy from a PORSCHE blank for $3.95. Still using it 5 years later........