How to break the ignition cylinder and start it with a screwdriver instead??...

[JoLLyRoGer]

So... I have lost all keys to my $700.00 beater Honda that I commute to work each day. This has resulted in an unacceptable number of miles, bugs, and road dirt being put on the Mustang this week...

There is but one solution to this. The Honda must now become screwdriver operated.

I refuse to spend the money to do whatever it will take to get another key made be it paying a locksmith or replacing the ignition. Either way it's WAY more than I am prepared to invest in a $700.00 car.

So... since I have no Grand Theft Auto skills of my own, how's it done?

 

[phucheneh]

Probably won't happen with a Honda. Year/model?

I've generally known this to be a trait of older American cars. Like, pre-OBD2 or earlier. Single-sided key. The cylinder just gets so loose that precise tumbler alignment is no longer required to turn it.

There should be a way to obtain the stock key code at little or no cost...dealer parts dept can get it, but they might not want to without charging you for a key. Dunno how much a factory blank is, but plain steel replacements are very cheap, and once you have the code, anyone with a key machine can cut it in about five minutes.

I don't think Home Depot or the like can cut an automotive key from a code, but a well-equipped locksmith will have access to a machine. It's just a little box that sits on a tabletop and has a rudimentary computer build into it. Or you can find a friend that works for a rental company or some such. I worked for Hertz and would cut keys for other random employees all the time. They just had to bring the blank (okay not really I just stole blanks out of the pile. half the time they were long-obsolete, anyway).

 

[jlee]

I got keys cut for my MR2 for about $10 from Toyota, I think. It may be worth calling a Honda dealer with the VIN to see if they can make one.

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

Hmm.. guess I'll try that route before destroying stuff. It's a 93 Accord so I don't think it uses a pass-key of any kind.

Where can I find the key code if the Dealer records don't go back that far? Would it be stamped on the ignition cylinder somewhere?

 

[phucheneh]

Did they have plain stamped steel blanks? I figured the dealer key would cost a good $20 or more because they included three cents worth of plastic with a logo on it. That's my experience, at least.

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

Well, they had a plastic head on them, but nothing the size of today's keys with the chips inside. Like if you took a plain old steel key and dipped the head in some plastic.

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

phucheneh, jlee.. You guys are awesome! Thanks for that advise.

Just called the local Honda dealership and gave them the VIN and I'll be damned.. they have the key code for that old piece of junk!! I thought for sure it would have been too old for the recordbooks.

$3.04 for a new key.. Ok, I can handle that.

 

[phucheneh]

was-gonna-edit-but-kinda-late-now-so-here's-a-reply:

The dealer doesn't have records. Maybe the selling dealer; if they actually entered the key code when they put the car into their computer system...but as old and shitty as it looks, I don't think modern dealer software (Reynolds is rather ubiquitous) was around in the early 90's. So it would only be on paper; i.e. some of the forms in the packet of crap you sign when you buy a car. That stuff (dealer copies) would be deeply mothballed if it even still existed.

But have no fear: the manufacturer should always have those kinds of records (key codes and radio codes are most oft-retrieved)...you just have to go through the dealer. Bring proof of ownership, in case they ask for it.

Alternatively- does the car still have the manual or any other papers? If Honda was nice enough to include a little zipper-book where everything could be stuffed and forgotten about for twenty years...look for a folded up sheet that says 'pre-delivery inspection.' Usually has key code. There may also be a little metal tag with a number on it stuff in there. Look for anything with like 4-6 random digits on it.

 

[phucheneh]

Double-ninja'd.

3.04 for the blank and no labor for cutting? I'd say win. Hooray non-lazy parts guys.

 

[SyndromeOCZ]

Its so easy for them to cut those keys at the dealership. Even the sales guys could do it in about 5 minutes without ever having done one before. And last time I went to the dealer for some keys they gave me ones without plastic, and they costed more than that.

 

[Zap]

I've generally known this to be a trait of older American cars. Like, pre-OBD2 or earlier. Single-sided key. The cylinder just gets so loose that precise tumbler alignment is no longer required to turn it.

Heh, my dad's old 1982 Ford Courier pickup truck was like that after a number of years. Anything that could physically turn the thing would start it. House keys. Screwdriver. Anything that can fit in it that wouldn't spin (wide enough) and wouldn't break could start it.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Had a Ford that had a collar with two tabs where key would be inserted into ignition cylinder. Cylinder was so worn that key was not needed, just turn the collar using the tabs.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Had a Ford that had a collar with two tabs where key would be inserted into ignition cylinder. Cylinder was so worn that key was not needed, just turn the collar using the tabs.

Heh, older fords could get like that. My brother's 93 Taurus wasn't quite that bad but he could start the car and pull the key back out