The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay ignition switch key change without a key?

I have a 54 3100 and do not have a key for the original switch. From what I understand from doing my search I need to turn the key and instal a piece of wire. Short of replaceing or taking it to a lock smith is there anything I can do? Thanks

Sorry I am trying to change just the key cylinder

yes, you do need the key to remove the cylinder - the easiest way would be to take the whole thing to a locksmith and have them make a new key to fit - otherwise I think you'll have to drill it out enough to destroy the lock tumblers, which means a new cylinder

Bill

Thanks I was afraid of that, wonder what that costs?

if you have a good shop around and you take it to them, rather than asking them to do a "house call", it shouldn't be much more than buying a new cylinder and key ... which wouldn't match your other locks

Bill

Thanks for the help bill.
jason

If you have any old style GM keys laying around you might try them some of the old cylinders are worn enough that about any key will work.

I got a door key and lock cylinder for $12.00 at my local locksmith. I wouldn't think it would be much more than that for your ignition key and cylinder.

Pull your door lock, it should be the same as your Inj Switch (unless one of those have been changed) & take that to the LockSmith. ZooKeeper

I remember in the late 70's that there was still a fair amount of AD's driving around. I once managed to lock my keys in the truck at a drag race event. Walked around and asked several old chevy owners if I could borrow their keys, about the third try I opened the door with another truck's keys.

Thanks everyone. Well so far no luck The Locksmith quote was $20-$25 to make a key. I currently do not have door locks that will match the ignition cylinder any way and would like to get a matched set. I am using a cheapo ignition switch right now to get me by. I think I will wait a while and try as many old keys as possible to get the cylinder out of my old switch. Tried all my old keys no luck. I sure do like the original look better tha the cheapo ignition.Thanks again.
Jason

Hi Helipack,,I have a string of about 50 or so old chevy keys. Ill send it to you,go thru it till you find the key that fits,but,PLEASE send it back. I've had this string of keys for abt. 25 years and have always been able to find one to fit pretty much any old chevy.
P.M. me with your address if youd like to give it a try.
Marty

Marty, that's a real nice thing to do. From someone who does not know you, "THANKS". GOD bless our troups and please watch over our son's and daughter's." Signed, a Navy Seabee's Dad who has seen his son go to Iraq for the 3rd time. "A real hero".

I have found that these old cylinders can be fairly easy to pic if you have a little bit of patience first take a small flat blade screw driver about 3/16 accross the blade and install it into the bottom of the key slot. next you will need a very small presision scewdriver small enough to enter the barrel and insert all the way in. Now heres the tricky part you may want to enlist the help of a friend at this part, you need to turn the first screwdriver clockwise to create tension on the tumbllers and at the same time use the other screwdriver to lift the tumblers up. the friction on the tumblers will allow them to fall only as far as barrel will let them. do not take presure of the first screwdriver until the all the tumblers are in there prspective place if you do all the tumblers will fall back down and you will have to start again this is where the patience comes to play. You will know when you have all the tumblers are lined up becouse the barell will turn. I belive that there is five tumblers in that ignition switch
I hope this helps you and I hope I dont get in trouble for writing this information (I used to work for a locksmith)

Hey Marty I really apreciate that and will keep you in mind. Thats really great that you would take that chance with someone you don't know. For now I think I found a new challenge, Picking the old lock.Hey burbnburp, thanks for the tip/challenge. I love the stovebolt page!

good luck and let us know how you make out!

Helipackmech
You said that your door locks and ignition dont match currently,
Any locksmith worth his salt or wants to be bothered with making a buck will take the codes from your current door lock,Make a key for it,AND Then,change the pins/tumblers to match in your Ign. cylinder.
Started with no keys and different codes on the locks for my Subn,God knows how many switch changes in its life.....20.00 and a case of Bud later,Everthing is matched