Redwood Chair
- Stock PSI Or Bust -
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2007
- Location
- Ocean Beach S.F.
A good dealership will be able cut a key from the VIN if you can prove ownership and the locks haven't already been swapped.
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A good dealership will be able cut a key from the VIN if you can prove ownership and the locks haven't already been swapped.
Thanks Hiperfauto. Where can I find a tutorial on how to post images? I've just tried with photos.google and with postimage.cc and had no luck with either using the insert image icon in the header here.
Redwood Chair, I've seen locksets with keys for sale on Ebay, but I just bought this car at a city auction without a key. I've also seen full sets with the complete ignition lock, but I assume removing the entire ignition lock is fairly complicated, and the full set of keys including trunk lock are about $150. And, if I went that route, I would still have the challenge of getting into the trunk.
A good dealership will be able cut a key from the VIN if you can prove ownership and the locks haven't already been swapped.
Yes, I may end up doing that, but I still don't have the title from the impound lot sale - waiting on the DMV.
That's assuming the Volvo key code is still correct.
The whole reason I'm at the locksmith with my door lock is that the key Volvo cut for me off of the VIN number didn't work. My understanding from reading the internet is that Volvo's key code database for 240/740/940 is hit or miss. Mine is apparently one of the ones that's a miss.
Marvelous3, were you successful in getting the key cut? I understand that the locksmith forces the key to see if it leaves impressions of each pin and then files down to match that impression, but I suppose it may be a rough approximation and not the smoothest fit.
The locksmith that Testpoint talked to asked if it was possible to disassemble the lock to read the order of the pins inside. Does anyone know if that is possible without destroying the outer chrome ring that shows outside when the door is mounted?
I would have thought the disassembly occurs through the back side of the lock instead, like in the first photo of my lock, above.
One thought for my endeavor - I could disassemble the passenger side lock in order to read the pins and get a good fit for the drivers side door and the ignition. Then, if needed, I could replace the passenger side lock with another lock from another car, because how many times will I be unlocking the car from the passenger side, particularly if I eventually install an electric fob to unlock the doors.
That's assuming the Volvo key code is still correct.
The whole reason I'm at the locksmith with my door lock is that the key Volvo cut for me off of the VIN number didn't work. My understanding from reading the internet is that Volvo's key code database for 240/740/940 is hit or miss. Mine is apparently one of the ones that's a miss.
You're way over thinking this, just go to the dealer and have a key cut.
I just got the new key from the DARCARS Volvo dealer in Rockville, MD that got the key made from Volvo USA and... it does not work.
I tried it on the passenger door lock, the ignition, and the trunk and it is difficult to insert in all 3 of those locks. The key does not turn at all in those 3 locks.
Then I tried it on the drivers door lock that I had already removed from the door and it turns in both directions with some difficulty. That has me stumped.
It would make no sense that the previous owner changed all the locks except the driver's door lock. It's more likely that the driver's door lock is worn.
So should I try grinding down the new key a bit, like with a dremel or a wire brush on grinder?
I'm ready to try a locksmith, but it looks like I will need to pull the passenger's door lock so a key can be cut that works in that door. Any suggestions are appreciated.
I'd have Volvo do a spare parts warranty and see if that fixes it. If it doesn't then I'd take a file to the key and file it down some more. You won't be getting a refund from Volvo - probably, we give refunds at my store if the key still doesn't work a second time but we have a key machine in house so we're only out like 8 dollars for the key blank - since keys are usually not returnable even if there's a problem.