Re-Key Series 1 Ignition?

[Unkle]

He can get his ''new'' replacement early series 1 , single sided

ignition ( if that's what he's replacing ) rekeyed to his original

single sided key if he so desires . Or , he can get an ignition that

can be rekeyed to match his doors and hatch , as long as his

existing door keys will slide into the ''new'' , replacement ignition

assembly. This '' new'' lock will then be a later , double sided

setup . Life is easier when you need only 1 key to work the whole

car IMHO.

[JohnnyO]

Sorry for the delay. I have been busy stripping and painting my air box.... Not too happy with the progess yet. Maybe after a wet sand and another couple of coats.

I am looking at picking up a series 1 ignition. My other locks are original single sided and work fine. I want to have the used series 1 ignition rekeyed to match my original key codes.

I think Unkle has the right idea in the first part of his above post.

So, I gather, that it can be done. The issue will be finding someone that can cut the key based on my code and then rekey the ignition to match.

While we are talking ignition is there anything special I need to look for when purchasing a series 1 ignition on ebay? Security pins, etc.?

Thanks,

John

[Mike B]

John, I am not a locksmith, but I think there is still some confusion here. Series one cars have two separate and very different single sided keys: one for the ignition and one for the doors, hatch and glove box (let's just call it a door key now for simplicity). The keys have different groove profiles (keyways) so you can not get a series one ignition keyed to match a series one door key. That is why series one cars have two different key codes, one for the ignition and one for the doors.

The ignition key is made of steel and for the US market they were all the VOSS type (see the first picture below). There were four different door key blanks (see the next four pictures below). Cars would randomly get a one of the four types of door keys when they were built. The groove profiles are different so they are not interchangable. The ignition key is also about 1/4" longer than the door keys.

Series two cars have one double sided key that works the ignition and all the other locks on the car. There are two types of series two key blanks (a left and a right groove pattern). Like the four types of series one door blanks, they are not interchangeable.

What type of ignition do you have now? Single sided or double sided? If you get a used series one ignition you will still have a separate ignition key whether you get it keyed to your original ignition code or not. That is how they came from the factory.

-Mike

Edited February 2, 2009 by Mike B
Correct ignition key referrence

[JohnnyO]

What type of ignition do you have now? Single sided or double sided? If you get a used series one ignition you will still have a separate ignition key whether you get it keyed to your original ignition code or not. That is how they came from the factory.

-Mike

Mike, thanks for the detail.

I have a double sided series 2 ignition and single sided series 1 doors, glove box and hatch. I found an invoice from F.A.R. Performance and it states: "Need screwdriver to start car. Replace ignition." It was dated 1982.

So having 2 keys is not the issue here. I just want the car to be correct, right down to matching the ignition to the key code on my glove box. It's all in the details.

Hope that clears things up.

[Carl Beck]

The ignition key is made of steel and for the US market they were all the WASO type (see the first picture below).

Hi Mike:

So do you believe that these TSO's are incorrect? They would seem to indicate that the Series I cars all came with VOSS locks/keys.

I think he needs to assure that he gets a VOSS lock cylinder, and a VOSS key blank, if the TSO's are correct.

FWIW,

Carl B.

[Mike B]

You are right Carl. I incorrectly said that US series 1 240Zs came with the WASO ignition key. I should have said the VOSS key (or just left that out all together so as not to confuse, but I am trying to be more internationally correct with my statements ). A picture of the correct VOSS key is shown below. You are right that he needs to find a VOSS ignition to match his key code. Since all of the US Series 1 cars had the VOSS ignition it should be much easier to find a VOSS ignition than a WASO in the US anyway. I think I may have a spare one around somewhere from a parts car.

-Mike

[JohnnyO]

I think I may have a spare one around somewhere from a parts car.

-Mike

OK. I think we have it hammered out here. The correct term for the ignition lock that I need is VOSS. I missed out on the auction yesterday. I was planning on sniping it and missed it by 20 minutes. It sold for $29.99 + $10.00 shipping. I think I have seen them go for a little more than that.

They do come up every now and then and I think key blanks readily available. Also there is one seller on ebay that will cut the key for you if you tell him the code when you order. I would imagine this would help a locksmith when the time came to rekey the lock.

Mike if you do come across one that you are willing to part with let me know what you want for it.

I do know a very talented locksmith that has said he will see what he can do.

Thanks for your help all.