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

[FmjBug51]

When I got my 1964 beetle only had one key (ignition) and driver’s door lock no key…watched step by step tutorial and filed the standing above the cylinder surface the tumblers of the door tumbler after disassembly with the key in…no problem and now works perfectly with the ignition key…thanks for the information and what a time saver and no expense at all.

[heimlich]

[MrGoodtunes]

Huge thanks to @Keith Ovalteen for this great tutorial with excellent pictures and some helpful comments from others too. You all help'd me get my buggy's engine lid lock working with the same key as for ignition.

Had to use the key barrel from a big old Beatle engine latch, because the nice smaller and more fitting (for my light weight fiberglass engine lid) latch was from a VW bus, which uses a totally different key (VB type) from my ignition (K type).

[soupcups]

Great tutorial on how locks work Keith and everyone else. Just did this to a '63 Notch that came with no keys and/or ignition. Pics showed me what I was looking for and verbiage was very informative. I ended up buying an OG lock with two keys on here and using the key to swap out the wafers in the OG lock with the locks on the car. Now I have three OG door locks that open with the same key. Thanks very much for taking the time to post this and all the detailed pics.

[Bob Hollingsworth]

Do you remember where you saw them for sale?

[lovethatconvertible]

[EVfun]

The idea is that all the wafers are the same size and the difference is where in its height the slot for the key is located. The top and the bottom of the wafer are leveled with the lock cylinder when the correct key cut is under the wafer. If one end of a wafer sticks up the other end is recessed in the lock cylinder.
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[Bob Hollingsworth]

I'm wondering what the difference is between a filed-off wafer and a wafer of the correct height. Aren't they both now the same height to fit the profile of a particular key? The key doesn't know whether the wafer was filed or not. As for other keys working in the lock, that would happen regardless. I must be missing something .

[Bob Hollingsworth]

Keith, the rubber seal (?) in question is inside the handle, in a groove, around the lock body.

[Spezialist]

I've done this a couple of times (back in the day) knowing it was hack, but did it anyway.
I wish a locksmith would show the easy way to mix and match wafers.
I tried that and that's very time consuming.
A note of caution, if you're going to get a key made from scratch and there is no code to work from DO NOT LUBE LOCK.
Locksmiths need a clean and dry lock to start with.
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[Keith]

Sounds like you're describing the door handle seal.

https://chircoestore.com/door-handle-seals-4pc-vw-...hgodIR0Obg
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Formerly known in the forums as "OVALTEEN"

"I firmly believe that some villagers from Botswana could probably build a better road than PennDot."- Splitty

"If you do anything to your car someone will hate on you for it. People absolutely love to complain and find fault with others. Don't let it bother you. Just live and have fun."- Lind

[Bob Hollingsworth]

I'm a late comer to this thread, which by the way is exactly what I was looking for. I hope someone with an answer is still watching.

I took my drivers side outside door handle off and then removed the lock to see what was holding the push button partially in. There is a rectangular rubber piece that goes around the lock, in a groove, that was brittle and broken. Is this piece necessary and is it available? I am assuming it is there to keep out dirt and water.

I searched several of the parts distributors and didn't find anything.

[Keith]

You guys are welcome, glad to help!
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Formerly known in the forums as "OVALTEEN"

"I firmly believe that some villagers from Botswana could probably build a better road than PennDot."- Splitty

"If you do anything to your car someone will hate on you for it. People absolutely love to complain and find fault with others. Don't let it bother you. Just live and have fun."- Lind

[cn63bug]

Great tutorial. I've looked into re-keying everything together and this showed me what I need to do.

[DHMaher]

Just wanted to say thanks for the great post! I could never get my passenger side to work with my drivers door/ignition key. Using the tutorial I was able to swap the pins/wafers around for a perfect fit!

Thanks again!
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Daniel
"POs, you gotta love them, because killing them is illegal." -Unknown Samba Member
1967 Beetle - Java Green
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[EverettB]

Thanks, I have been using spray carb. cleaner or another solvent to clean things up when they are apart, then Tri-Flow spray.

I will check out Super Lube too.
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[vdubfan68]

Hello Everett in regards to lock lubricants . There is two ways to go . Tri Flow is petroleum based and has Teflon in it . Works great in areas of the country were it freezes . Or you can use Super Lube which is synthetic . Both come in aerosol and in paste form . The paste form is great when a lock has been torn down or being reassembled . Or if you just want to clean up your original locks . WD 40 works great as a solvent to wash away the old grease and grime . It should never be used as a lubricant . Or a can of parts cleaner . Once the lock plug is clean then apply the above Lubricants I suggested . And your good to go for a few years . I wanted to post some photos of these products to this thread . But Its way to confusing for me . Sorry .
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1962 Beetle Convertible 1968 Beetle Sunroof

[EverettB]

Cool, I would be interested in seeing other tutorials.

For the time being, as a pro locksmith, what you recommend to use to lubricate the wafers and lock cylinders when reinstalling those parts into the door handle?
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[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

[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..