How to "rekey" VW door handles. A picture tutorial

[beetleman217]

Thanks 61SNRF,

I was confused since I received many parts when buying my 61 and am still figuring out the puzzles of what goes where. I've no clue why the paddle handle came with the car... Perhaps the previous owner was confused as well... Not having knowing this, I actually re-keyed this lock as well LOL

Eitan

[Bruce]

This oddity has come up before. Try to do some searching.
It was previously suggested that USA delivered cars got locks that used the paddle type handles, and ROW cars got the slider type locking mechanism. Since your car uses the slider mechanism, and it's not a USA spec car, it tends to confirm this theory.
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[SteelersBus]

[Cramar]

I want to thank Ovalteen for his article. I am just now getting back into V.W.'s after a 40 some year hiatus and have recently purchased two vehicles. One was in a 9 condition and the other is turning into a project of little things. The seller of the the project car failed to mention that the door locks did not work with the key he supplied and so my wife and I were locked out of the vehicle until I popped the wing window lock just as any thief would do. I have used a "club" for security but after reading the article, I was able to get both door locks (two different years on the handles) to work with the ignition key so now I can lock the vehicle and feel a little bit secure with the empi wing window locks as well. At least now for the short term I can lock the vehicle and can also check the various resources that are on this site for new barrels and having them keyed the right way. Thanks again, and I'm not to worried that someone might have a key that fits my lock, if they do they are welcome to the bug.

[mrmarcdude]

I recently did this on my 65 door locks. I purchased the car with no door keys so I had to make something happen. Luckly Bugformance in Sacramento had some blanks, and one happened to match my application. I just pulled it down to the barrel, stuck the key blank in, and slightly squeezed each tumbler with a pair of pliers. I squeezed only hard enough to make a slight impression on the blank to give me a reference point. Then used a dremel, and file to grind the key. I used the dremel little by little to level out the tumblers, and finished them with a small file. It took about 15 minutes.
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- Marc M.
-65 Beetle -1600dp-

[DrWingTipShoes]

[notsnarb]

[oldmanmark]

i appreciate your post,nicely done.

[phatdawg]

This guy I have heard does good work. I found him on thesamba years ago.

http://gabvwkey.com/


-Mike
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-1966 T1 2-tone W/1915 cc
-1965 T1 Project car. Have had for 25 years.
-2000 Jetta VR6. Black and Quick! (GONE)
-2010 Jetta TDI. White and sips fuel.

The older I get the beter I was!!

http://www.thebugshop.org/gotech.htm
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/

[Keith]

[phatdawg]

[dschoppers]

I am going to try this asap.
I first will order a new ignition switch with keys as I only have one and it seems finding a blank to have cut is near to impossible

Here is the thread with a picture of the key http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6377169#6377169

I dont want to take it apart of-course until the new key arrives but I did have a question. Do the tumblers that were ground down slip out the sides for changing them around or do you have to take that section apart also?

This is a question that probably would answer itself when I take it apart but I was curious.

Thanks
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Got me a 65, I am air cool now

[Keith]

[panicman]

Great original post, and great detail. It is always interesting to see how the posts evolve. The thread has ultimately given us all several ways to go about matching our mismatched keys. And the original tutorial leaves no doubt as to the handles' assembly/disassembly. A sincere thanks for the time and effort!
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Plate of shrimp

[EA812]

I second that! This worked out great on a project I picked up with out keys to the doors. Now a key I had sitting around has a use for the door handles and the old key if its floating around somewhere with not work on the door.

[FSFTS18Z]

to the OP "KEITH".... THANK YOU!!!.. i crept over from the 68 and above. your step by step gave me the info to finally be able to lock and unlock my passanger door with the key for my driver side. i was able to fix my tumbler during work today with everyones techniques. moving waffers here and there and touching up with a file to get it to work. something that small makes it that much better.

[vdubfan68]

Keith deserves the VW LOCKSMITH IGNORANT AWARD !! When you grind down the wafers to fit the key . Now just about every key in that particular keyway will work the lock . WHAT,S THE POINT. YOU MIGHT AS WELL LOCK YOUR CAR WITH A PIECE OF GUM!!! Its funny how clowns will post a bunch of fancy pictures and THE MINDLESS SHEEP COME TO FLOCK !! No wonder this country is in the shape its in . I am a licensed locksmith . And have rekeyed numerous locks for SAMBA Members as well as other customers . If I performed this type of HACK WORK!! I would be out of BUSINESS. Period !! This post should be deleted . It Perpetuates IGNORANCE !! AS WELL AS MISINFORMATION .
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1962 Beetle Convertible 1968 Beetle Sunroof

[EverettB]

Yes, you can see other people have stated that from the very beginning of this thread, including the guy who posted the tutorial.

The rest of it is good information.

If you want to do a better tutorial on how to do things right, please do so.

[johnnypan]

Door locks, like any locks, are for honest people.An altered lock will work just as well as a precise, fitted key lock when preventing theft. If a pro hits you your car or the valuables inside the car are gone no matter what condition your lock is in..

[vdubfan68]

I stand corrected Everett . I perpetuated my own negativity to this post rather than pointing out the positive points it has to offer . Being Unemployed since the end of last year . And dealing with a Legal battle with my former employer , Has left me very bitter . Still that's no excuse to lash out at others . For that I apologize to Keith and his post . Once I get back on my feet . I will produce a better tutorial on locks as well as some other repair procedures I have learned over the past Thirty Years .
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1962 Beetle Convertible 1968 Beetle Sunroof