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Wed May 22, 2019 7:34 am

I went this morning with my new steel key blank to one of the big box home improvement stores thinking they could make me a new one. They now have a new key scanner tool. Unfortunately Vanagon keys are not in their database for this new machine, therefore they can no longer cut keys.

Now it's off to see if there's a locksmith with some old school equipment that can do the job.

Wed May 22, 2019 7:50 am

Silverghost500 wrote: I went this morning with my new steel key blank to one of the big box home improvement stores thinking they could make me a new one. They now have a new key scanner tool. Unfortunately Vanagon keys are not in their database for this new machine, therefore they can no longer cut keys.

Now it's off to see if there's a locksmith with some old school equipment that can do the job.

I had the exact same issue at the exact same big box store last week. Locksmith downtown is going to set me up.

Wed May 22, 2019 7:53 am

I've never had any luck getting keys cut at big box stores. But I did try about 50 different times before I realized a locksmith could cut it properly for about the same price.
I had an old worn out and bent Vanagon key. I took it (and the van) to a locksmith and had a new one cut. He was able to cut it, test it on the van, and make a couple adjustments to the profile so it worked 100%. It was $4 well spent. That beat the hell out of playing key cutting roulette like the box stores do.

Wed May 22, 2019 8:50 am

In my experience, big box stores, as well as Ace/True Value hardware stores will not cut a steel key. They can only cut brass (or whatever yellow alloy they sell). I have an independent locksmith nearby who knows me well enough, and gives great service at a very reasonable price, even with chipped keys.

I always plan ahead of a visit and bring his little Yorkie Yummy Chummy salmon dog treats. I think I'm his best friend.

Mon Jun 14, 2021 4:47 pm

I found key blanks at MrLock, and I was just hoping to get some clarification on which key is which. I'm guessing the one with the black cover is the ignition, and the other is for all the doors and whatnot.

Here's the links to the blanks:
https://mrlock.com/key-blank-jma-vonp-for-vw-v33-x110-plastic-head/
https://mrlock.com/key-blank-jma-von-for-vw-v33-x110/

I've got an 86 Vanagon GL (non-westy) 2wd if that makes any difference.

Thanks in advance!

Mon Jun 14, 2021 4:51 pm

Put your steel key aside as your emergency use key.

My Locksmith tells me that VW never provided a steel key.
Why?
Steel destroys brass ...... quickly.

Use only brass keys in your brass tumbler lock, it will last longer, much longer.

Dave

Mon Jun 14, 2021 6:09 pm

save your steel keys for testing body magnetism generated from the Covid vaccine....

Mon Jun 14, 2021 7:36 pm

djkeev said Quote:
PostPosted: Today 4:51 pm Post subject: Re: Key Cut
Put your steel key aside as your emergency use key.

My Loxksmith tells me that VW never provided a steel key.
Why?
Steel destroys brass ...... quickly.

Then how come I have an original steel VW key with VW logo inside the black plastic surround and a WTO code stamped on the shank? I believe this was the original key the original owner owner sold me with the van. Could I be wrong? Again?

Mon Jun 14, 2021 7:52 pm

I remember pulling lock cylinders and filling the bits inside so my key worked in the whole truck... hopefully that previous owner phenomenon hasn't happened to your van.

Maybe you can file the key yourself ? I filed a key for my landlords garden gate once. Started from a piece of brass flat stock, not an actual key blank at all. It worked ok. Not great, just ok.

Mon Jun 14, 2021 9:16 pm

Mr Locksmith does not know what he is talking about. I have the original steel key with my 89 that has 423k miles on it. Brass keys wear out and bend and loose their cuts after time.

My local locksmith has a machine Dedicated to steel keys. No problem $5.00 later it’s cut and I’m gone.

Stacy

Mon Jun 14, 2021 9:18 pm

I would also recommend to avoid the original plastic gripped key with the VW logo. If someone finds your keys it would make your dear van all too easy to steal.

Tue Jun 15, 2021 3:00 am

16CVs wrote: Mr Locksmith does not know what he is talking about. I have the original steel key with my 89 that has 423k miles on it. Brass keys wear out and bend and loose their cuts after time.

My local locksmith has a machine Dedicated to steel keys. No problem $5.00 later it’s cut and I’m gone.

Stacy

You may be right about the blanket VW comment.

My rubber headed 90 key is brass as was my 86.

I purchased a new rubber headed key blank for my 90 which was steel. Cutting this key prompted his brass vs steel key comment.

Whatever...... the steel key wearing the lock makes sense to me, I'm using only the brass rubber head and the after market oval headed brass keys.

Dave

Tue Jun 15, 2021 5:55 am

Internet information is worth what you pay for it, but this article says Porsche cars were provided with steel keys. Interesting info...

http://www.motokeys.com/technical-articles/steel-vs-brass-ke

Quote: However, I run into a lot of original keys and a few aftermarket that are steel -- these are usually nickel-plated too. This is particularly common in German marques like BMW and Porsche.

So which is better?

All else being equal:
Steel keys are stronger and more resistant to bending.
Steel keys can be hidden on the frame of a motorcycle or car with a small rare-earth magnet.
Steel can rust, particularly in the cut area, where brass may simply discolor.
Over the years, steel keys can wear the internals of their locks more so than brass keys.

Sun Nov 19, 2023 5:05 pm

ThrowerVan wrote: I found key blanks at MrLock, and I was just hoping to get some clarification on which key is which. I'm guessing the one with the black cover is the ignition, and the other is for all the doors and whatnot.

Here's the links to the blanks:
https://mrlock.com/key-blank-jma-vonp-for-vw-v33-x110-plastic-head/
https://mrlock.com/key-blank-jma-von-for-vw-v33-x110/

I've got an 86 Vanagon GL (non-westy) 2wd if that makes any difference.

Thanks in advance!

I realize this in an old thread, but I just came across it so I thought I'd address the question mentioned above.

As originally sold, the Vanagon used one key for all doors, the rear hatch, and the gas cap. The only different one was for the glove box. As the years went on, many gas caps were replaced with ones that used a different key blank, the same as on Thule roof racks. Also, in the last few years, you can't get new ignition lock cylinders that use the "N" key blank. They use the "AH" blank of other water-cooled VWs, and can't be matched to other locks.

But to address the question above, both blanks from Mr. Lock, whether plastic-headed or not, would work in the ignition and doors interchangeably, so long as none of the cylinders have been changed to non "N" key profiles.

Ed in CT