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whynotvw
Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2004
Posts: 1322
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 Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 2:30 pm Post subject: Got Keys? |
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I lost my last original key with the black plastic with vw logo while back. I had some generic keys made to replace the og ones. I just don't like the feel of the generic skinny all metal keys. Well I've been wanting to buy the og blanks but for while but only place I could find one was at EBAY for $50 bucks WT heck 
Well good news Gowesty has them for $10. Taylor at Gowesty said they got about 100 in and that might be the last before its NLA.
So if you want that OG key Gowesty has them, get them while it last.
I'm gonna order couple of them.
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=3243&category_id=&category_parent_id=
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BoneMachine
Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2012
Posts: 202
Location: MA, Boston Strong
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| Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 3:02 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the heads up. 
_________________
'85 Wolfsburg Edition Westfalia Weekender, Zetec #36, w/ Peloquin TBD
'83.5 Westfalia, full camper (we'll never forget you) |
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b00t
Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2011
Posts: 157
Location: Asheville, NC
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| Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 6:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Do now...Just ordered one. Thanks for the heads up! |
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danbar
Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2011
Posts: 464
Location: North Bend, WA
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| Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 6:36 pm Post subject: |
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Got two on the way so both vans are covered. Thanks for the hot tip.
_________________
'88 SCA High/Pop-top Syncro camper
'61 Meyers Manx |
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whynotvw
Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2004
Posts: 1322
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| Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 7:41 pm Post subject: |
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Your welcome,
I remember losing the original key and being really bummed about it. I wanted to replace it with the oem but $50 I said no way, I'm not paying that much. I just know the thin metal generic ones kind of hurt your fingers when you turn your ignition.
Once again Gowesty scored some last of the NLA parts from VW. Grab them while they last. I also got the their sliding door bearings. They sell three of the five bearings. I replaced the three and other two I just re-packed it with grease. My sliding door is smooth as silk now. Thanks Gowesty |
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tristessa
Samba Member
Joined: April 07, 2004
Posts: 3992
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 8:12 pm Post subject: |
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| You might need to lubricate the lock if the generic ones hurt your fingers when you're starting the engine. Just sayin'... |
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syncrodoka
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005
Posts: 12005
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 8:29 pm Post subject: |
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I have bought them from VC in the past, I have a few.
The one issue with them is that they aren't easily cut. You have to find a real locksmith willing to cut steel keys and one that still has the skills to cut one by code if you want it done correctly. I spent more on getting some cut by code than the blanks cost.
On my keychain I have the round rubber key for my truck along with the oval steel VW key for my hardtop syncro along with an ILCO copy cat key for the 2wd.
The round rubber version takes up more pocket space but is easiest to find, having more than one round rubber key on a keychain is no fun. None of my keys are easier or harder to use in the ignition though.
http://www.steveslockshop.com/volkswagen.html has been recommended by people in the past to cut keys by code in the past- I have never used him though.
Last edited by syncrodoka on Fri Mar 29, 2013 1:52 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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madspaniard
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008
Posts: 3795
Location: Alameda, CA
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| Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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Yup
It cost me $20 to cut mine about 4 years ago. I got mine from VC. Corner of University Ave and San Pablo in Berkeley.
_________________
1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali
Last edited by madspaniard on Wed Mar 27, 2013 8:46 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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jmranger
Samba Member
Joined: January 14, 2010
Posts: 701
Location: Quebec
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| Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 8:43 pm Post subject: |
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I was unable to find a place that had both the equipment to cut a key from the code and the will to cut the steel factory blank.
So I got the locksmith to make a key by the code using their blanks, and then got it copied onto the factory blank in a no-name hardware store that had a careful clerk. |
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r39o
Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005
Posts: 9800
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 9:15 pm Post subject: |
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Unless something has changed, I thought you could order cut keys from your VW Stealer?
I sort of recall they had to be a special order from a Texas warehouse.
Or was that for Mercedes?
The lock guy I see yearly at the VW Classic has ZERO problems cutting steel keys and creating keys to code.
In fact, this year I will bring him a set of handles and new keys to create a nice fresh set of locks that work as new, even though they are worn. They know how to do it.
FYI: Your van came with two sets of keys. So those that whine they lost the original key have to realize some one else already lost the first one for them and now the last one is lost too. I also wonder where all the glove box keys disappear to?
_________________
"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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optiks
Samba Member
Joined: November 21, 2012
Posts: 28
Location: LONDON
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| Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 9:24 pm Post subject: |
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thanks for the heads up i was going to order the 50 dollar ebay one like you mention as the tiny lame generic key really pisses me off
on the topic of keys are all gas cap keys the same ? only ever tried mine in one other van and it worked. |
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whynotvw
Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2004
Posts: 1322
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| Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 9:27 pm Post subject: |
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| excuse me if this is a dumb question but where is the key code located? |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 7915
Location: Arizona
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tam_shops
Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2012
Posts: 1530
Location: Vancouver BC
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| Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 10:02 pm Post subject: |
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For $2 you can get a key cover if it hurts your hands. 
| whynotvw wrote: |
I just know the thin metal generic ones kind of hurt your fingers when you turn your ignition.
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Careful at the dealerships, mine cut me 4 keys (on similar looking ones w/ a hard plastic top) that could open the door, but none would turn the ignition. I thought it was b/c the tumblers were worn and it didn't fit. Turned out, it was the wrong blank and when I finally went to a locksmith (as suggested here thank you again!), the locksmith noticed the mistake right away, snickered and cut me a key that worked no problem. Went back same place, different person, handed original key over asked for another. Another key was cut no problem. Then, in the mail I got the 2nd original key for PO and the little silver water key.
| r39o wrote: |
Unless something has changed, I thought you could order cut keys from your VW Stealer?
...
FYI: Your van came with two sets of keys. So those that whine they lost the original key have to realize some one else already lost the first one for them and now the last one is lost too. I also wonder where all the glove box keys disappear to? |
I also wonder what happened to my glove box key. Neither the ignition key, nor little silver water key fit it. I looked at it and didn't see how to take it off/apart. Figured I'd take the van to the locksmith on day and let him figure it out. However, then processed that if you lock it, someone is going to break it to find what you locked in it. Then, you're going to have to pay to fix it, IF you can find the parts. So, concluded that I may as well leave it alone and find a better hiding spot!
tam
_________________
1987 Vanagon Westfalia GL Automatic
Making it special:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=545885 |
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Timwhy
Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2009
Posts: 4002
Location: Maine
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32579
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 7754
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 7:37 am Post subject: |
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| djkeev wrote: |
| I shun those giant find-your-car-key FOB things ...I prefer the aftermarket flat key for its sleekness on my key ring...keep the originals as my backups and pass them along to owner #4 ... |
This.
We use new copies for driving and the best "original" from the PO stays in my wallet for emergencies & reduce further wear.
It may also be a copy(*) but it's on an "official" VW blank:
(*) Any opnions on this? Would the original key(s) have been like the rubber-coated one shown at the top of this thread? Just curious...
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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danfromsyr
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15143
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 7:48 am Post subject: |
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OEM valet key would not have opened the glovebox
the oem rubber key would work on all locks.
I bought a key machine off craiglist for $75 years back and cut my own keys..
handy for our family fleet of vans and vintage VWs.
I like the VW rubberheaded keys, but I also order cheaper rubber headed keys from MrLock.com usually 10 at a time for the slight discount.. shipping is fast and reasonable. also quick to answer email questions.
http://www.mrlock.com/VONP.html
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| Abscate wrote: |
| These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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tam_shops
Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2012
Posts: 1530
Location: Vancouver BC
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| Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 9:29 am Post subject: |
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| danfromsyr wrote: |
OEM valet key would not have opened the glovebox
the oem rubber key would work on all locks.
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Which is the valet key? Or was that an all metal different looking one? I now have both my original (assume) rubber keys, could one open it and the other not? Will have to try that. Tried one key in the glove box and it didn't work, so assumed the other would not either and the van came with a 3rd key.
Then I have a water key that is a little metal silver key, that i don't think is original, tried that one too. Didn't do anything except the water, prefer ONE key to do everything, will go see a locksmith again and see if he can do that.
tam
_________________
1987 Vanagon Westfalia GL Automatic
Making it special:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=545885 |
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danfromsyr
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15143
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 10:42 am Post subject: |
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Tam, I hate to just point you to your Owners manual... and if you don't have one there's one from an 85 scanned up here on thesamba in the Technical section in the link bar at the top of each page.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/1985vanagon.php
but for this thread I'll include the page for context..
Hmmm but looking at the pic I don't think it'll run the Ign or doors, just the glove box..
must be my later model VWs that incorporated a "valet" function.. (iirc anyways)
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| Abscate wrote: |
| These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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1990 Vanagon Westfalia: 
