[ron1]

I am new to this forum, so I apologise in advance if this subject has been opened before, (I could not find anything thru search).

I am restoring a 1979 TA, and misplaced the keys. Is there a resource for the key codes from the VIN, so I can get new ones cut?

Ron

[TransAmer99]

Welcome to FBN, Ron. While I can't answer your question directly, perhaps some others can. The alternative would be to source a replacement set of keys and tumblers (two doors, trunk & glovebox) from a restoration shop or even a dealership. I don't know that the VIN would be particularly helpful in this case. A locksmith might be able to help, though.

Is yours an Anniversary edition? Not many '79's got the 400/4 spd. You've got a winner on your hads!

[ron1]

Thanks for the reply. It is not the anniversary edition, just a WS6, not original engine. Supposedly pretty built and strong. Wasn't running when I acquired it, engine in bits. My option on the keys are to replace the ignition lock cyl, as new ones are available resonably. Just wondering how to remove the existing one, as a key is needed to line up the tumblers. I guess I'll have to carefully destroy it. I figure I can give a door lock to a locksmith and get keys made, or replace all if necessary.

[taman76]

You can contact a lock smith, but I highly doubt you can cut keys for a 79 from the VIN.

Changing out the locks on that car wouldn't be that hard. That includes the ignition lock.

Another option may be to take one door lock tumbler and the truck tumbler to a lock smith and maybe he can match a key to the locks.

[ron1]

Again, thanks. The local locksmith wants $75 to cut a key for the ign. A new lock and key is $18, hence, I'll remove the original. I think the door key cutting was only $25, so I'll go that route for the doors, trunk and glove box.

[TransAmer99]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the door and ignition key the same on a '79 (thinking vallet parking here) while the round key opened the glovebox and trunk (for security purposes)? If so, getting a door key cut enables the ignition. Trunk and glovebox different. That's the way my '80 works at any rate.

[ron1]

Good point, I don't know. Perhaps someone else can help?
My 70 chevelle has the round key for the glovebox, doors and trunk, ignition is square. I assumed the TA was the same. If it is like you think, it would simplify things.

This post has been edited by ron1: 27 May 2010 - 06:47 AM

[TransAmer99]

Okay, now you've got me thinking - a dangerous condition, I can assure you. I'll have to double-check mine this evening when I get home and report back.

[taman76]

There was a change made and now I am not sure when that was. My 76 uses the trunk key for the doors. But at some point, and I thought 79 was the year, that was changed. Now I got me wondering when that was.

[redbird/79]

Hello, first post here...so take it easy http://www.firebirdnation.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/B).gif On my 79, the square key is ignition only, and the round key is everything else. My ignition is currently broken and key isn't needed to turn and start. Did I just say that out loudhttp://www.firebirdnation.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/doh.gif

[81frbd]

The round keys for GM are in fact doors, trunk, and glove box with the square key for the ignition. It was changed some time during the late 90's when one key did all locks/ignition.

And Ron, if you're gonna have the keys made for the doors/trunk, see if the locksmith can match it to your ignition so like todays cars, you'll only need one key for the whole car.

[81frbd]

Hey Ron, I just realized you were in Ann Arbor....a great place for restoration parts is National Parts Depot. They're only about 15 minutes or so away from you on Haggerty Rd in Canton. You can see the building right off I-275.

They've got good prices and being so close, you can eliminate shipping costs for parts. Looking through their catalog, you can get a door and ignition lock and key set for about $28 bucks.

I highly recommend you stop in and grab a free catalog or they'll send you one from the website www.nationalpartsdepot.com


Welcome to FBN, always good to see another member from Michigan

[TransAmer99]

Yup, egg on the face here too. Round key does the doors, glovebox and trunk. Square key is ignition only. Guess Gray Ghost has to get out more. Being just a weekend cruiser, the windows are always down and I've never locked the car that I can remember in 12 years of ownership.

[ron1]

Thanks for all the help. I am familiar with NPD, bought many parts there for the TA and Chevelle. A couple of locksmiths want more than what it would cost to purchase all the locks and key sets, so I may just renew. Suppposedly, there is a code stamped on the lock cylinders for the key, but I cannot get the cylinder out of the housing without the key to align the tumblers. May just be purchasing all new.

[ron1]

I removed the ignition cylinder and there is a code on it, the door and trunk cyliinders do not. Does anyone in the forum cut keys to a code?

[ta collector]

if your build sheet is still behind the back seat it will also have the key codes on it.

and welcome to FBNhttp://www.firebirdnation.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/12EMOTICHEERS.gif ,gotta love them 400 4 speed 79s.

This post has been edited by ta collector: 28 May 2010 - 03:36 PM

[ron1]

Looked at the sheet behind the seat, no codes. Only A B C D in the key code field. Hard to believe the codes cannot be obtained from the VIN

This post has been edited by ron1: 29 May 2010 - 12:55 PM