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GH85Carrera GH85Carrera is online now
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 86,065
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These were my original OEM GM keys for my El Camino. 30+ years of wear from being in my pocket and use had made them very thin. I hated the stupid GM decision to have two separate keys, one for the doors, one for the ignition.

I dropped them on the garage floor and the ignition key broke. I got out my spare keys and used them. Soon thereafter, the turn signal switch broke after about 380,000 miles. I had to disassemble the steering column to get the turn signal switch out, and removing the ignition switch is one of the steps. The old switch was very worn, and I could pull the key out with the engine running, so it was overdue for replacement. Taking apart the tilt steering column on a G body GM car is a real challenge. Several special tools needed, and it is a mouse trap to get back together. The old door key was so worn, I had to hold my tongue to the left and wiggle the key just right to open the door. That is not an issue with the new key.

I had already taken the new switch and the key to a local locksmith that actually has a brick and mortar building. He rekeyed the new ignition switch to use the old door key, so after all those years I now just have just one key to operate the El Camino.
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Glen
49 Year member of the Porsche Club of America
1985 911 Carrera; 2017 Macan
1986 El Camino with Fuel Injected 350 Crate Engine
My Motto: I will never be too old to have a happy childhood!
Old 01-06-2026, 06:13 AM
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