Locking Gas Cap Question

[Dano944]

My ‘83 944 has a locking gas cap, in which the ignition key fits. The key turns the lock but nothing locks. I don’t see anything that would make the cap “lock”. The car is my weekend driver, so the non-locking cap isn’t an issue except I like things to be working. I assume I’d need to buy a new working gas cap (if available), but how does one get a new gas cap keyed to my ignition key?

[wwdwgs]

Clean and lubricate the lock.. Try your key again.

[kdjones2000]

The cylinder can be swapped into a new gas cap if needed.

[Dano944]

Thanks for the replies. Question: What makes the gas cap lock? I see no moving parts when the key is rotated.

[wwdwgs]

Internally? I guess, that the cap's "handle" doesn't get engaged with the rest of gap cap's body (threaded part) and spins freely.

[originalowner]

When you put the cap back on, you turn it until it clicks. Then the cap then spins freely in the removal direction. When you insert and turn the key, it stops the free spinning action and the cap can be removed. It is really an "unlocking gas cap."

[dme]

One of the first things I did when I got my car was to rekey the cap to my ignition key. I found a link from someone who had already done it. I remember it as being pretty easy. Unfortunately, I don't remember the procedure or the link, but I did take pictures.

[Dano944]

Originally Posted by dme

One of the first things I did when I got my car was to rekey the cap to my ignition key. I found a link from someone who had already done it. I remember it as being pretty easy. Unfortunately, I don't remember the procedure or the link, but I did take pictures.]

Thanks. Good photos. I soaked my gas cap in WD40 and waiting to see if it’s better.

[Dano944]

Well…WD40 only helped the gas cap to spin easily, but nothing “locks”. I don’t leave my car anywhere to get gas siphoned, so I’ll just leave it. I’m happy with a cap that tightens and doesn’t leak.

[djnolan]

try wd40 in the key slot, and work the key a few times, one of the tumbler may be stuck. You may need to disassemble the cylinder and clean out corrosion. Had a similar problem with the hatch lock cylinder once.

[dme]

There is a video on youtube to disassemble the cap.