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Wed Oct 01, 2025 11:10 am

So I just picked up an ‘86 van. It hasn’t run in 2 years and I was told it has no spark. It came with a new distributor in the box and for keys I got a new set with a new cylinder. So the first thing I have to do is replace the ignition cylinder which seems pretty straight forward. But I don’t have a Bentley manual yet and I know on 94.4 there are instructions on where I have to drill to get the old one out. Can anyone help me with where I need to drill?

Wed Oct 01, 2025 11:41 am

This send similar to your other post https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=806521&highlight=

Have you got that resolved?

If you're still working in the starting issue, didn't worry about the key cylinder and just remove the ignition switch and turn with a screwdriver

Wed Oct 01, 2025 12:05 pm

if you know the keycode of the existing cylinder you can have a key cut instead of drilling. does the door key not work for the ignition cylinder?

but i too believe you should focus on the no spark issue if not resolved.

Wed Oct 01, 2025 12:59 pm

Wishitwasawesty wrote: So I just picked up an ‘86 van. It hasn’t run in 2 years and I was told it has no spark. It came with a new distributor in the box and for keys I got a new set with a new cylinder. So the first thing I have to do is replace the ignition cylinder which seems pretty straight forward. But I don’t have a Bentley manual yet and I know on 94.4 there are instructions on where I have to drill to get the old one out. Can anyone help me with where I need to drill?

I've always used the manual, but I'm sure someone has posted a you tube video. Method is the same for all VW's of that era.

If you look at the new tumbler, you can see how it works and calculate where to drill your hole.

Wed Oct 01, 2025 3:49 pm

When you have a hammer every problem seems like a nail. I now realize just because I have a new key and cylinder doesn’t mean I have to use it. I’ll just pull the door handle and get the code and get new keys made at the dealership.
Thanks!

Wed Oct 01, 2025 5:12 pm

this may also not be the answer you wanted to hear, but they don't cut keys at the dealership. even an old-school locksmith may not have the correct (N profle) key blank for your van.

there are a few members right here on this site that can fix you up though :)

Wed Oct 01, 2025 5:41 pm

borninabus wrote: this may also not be the answer you wanted to hear, but they don't cut keys at the dealership. even an old-school locksmith may not have the correct (N profle) key blank for your van.

there are a few members right here on this site that can fix you up though :)

I talked to a local guy recently when I was looking at a bug that didn’t have a key and he told me when he worked at the local dealership they cut keys for them. I’ll call tomorrow, if not I’ll find someone here that can help.

Wed Oct 01, 2025 6:51 pm

Talk to a real locksmith. My local guy can cut keys by code and has blanks in stock.
Dealers probably won't know what a vanagon is

Thu Oct 02, 2025 5:15 am

Plus, replacement door handles came with key tumblers. In other words no guarantee all the locks match at this point.

I recently lost my good set of keys. The spare was a worn aftermarket blank. A good local locksmith was able to cut new keys using the less worn side of the key. Real locksmiths are getting rarer.