It’s highly unlikely they used one but still not impossible, but yes, they do make ‘universal keys.’ THey are a little longer than the regular key.
Having been in the hotel profession, I can tell you they have one key that opens all the doors.
Does this apply to autombiles? I know that hotels have them (and for good reason- saved my butt several times) but I have trouble imagining a master key for cars because of the likelihood that it may fall into the “wrong hands”.
And isn’t Chief Wiggum the only one that has this key?
If I’m remembering correctly, for many years most GM cars had a shaft that ran down (parallel to) the steering column. Turning the key pushed this shaft down and it turned the electrical system on and cranked the starter. I’m trying to recall all of this from what a cop told me when my Monte Carlo was stolen. Anyway the cop said the guy used a screwdriver to pry the ingnition lock out and then used it as a lever to push the starter shaft. I don’t actually remember what he might have said about turning the electrical system on, but I’d guess if you’ve got the ignition lock dangling from the column it’s dangling by some of the wires you need to connect to do so. eggo?
And as long as you’re here, eggo, any opinion on The Club?
Thanks!
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- “Universal Keys” are called “master keys” and the reason hotel doors have them is that the hotel owners tell the lock company to key the doors that way. (All the hotels around here use electronic key-card locks now) I don’t know that cars don’t also have master keys, but I’ve never heard of it.
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- There’s nothing you can do to absolutely prevent your car from getting stolen, but here’s a nifty anti-theft tip I heard: Get TWO Clubs. When you insert them, put them into the steering wheel from the UNDERSIDE.(In some cars, you can’t do this because the accessory stalks get in the way) This means two things: First of all, a thief has to get two of the damn things off, and second, the lock on each is facing down, where it’s right next to the column and harder to get at with tools. - MC
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If someone really wants your car and doesn’t care what condition the steering wheel is in (typical with cars stolen for parts and joyriders) the Club is useless. All you have to do is hacksaw through the steering wheel. You can then simply slide the Club off.
I came home one day after walking to work to find my car missing. It turns out the police decided to “move it around the corner.” They just got a tow truck and put it elsewhere. Of course they didn’t bother to tell me until I found a cop who was doing crowd control at a parade around the corner.
Who would want a five-year-old rust-bag Ford Escort anyway? 
The Club doesn’t do much. All you have to do is make two quick cuts into the steering wheel and take them off. Takes about 27 seconds or so they showed on 20/20 on US tv.
Saturn has a computer database on every car so that it shows up on the computer whenever someone brings it to a dealer.
Eggo - I noticed from your profile that you’ve gone from car thief to computer sales.
Going down in the world, eh?
My dad knows a guy who repos for a living and he can take any car, any time. His fastest is 17 seconds on a Wagoneer WITH a club. His tool of choice (thank god not a lot of these can be bought)- SlimJim the door and get this, a portable bone saw with a diamond edge wheel on it for the Club. He saws through the tensil steel in like 6 seconds and in one quick movement sawed the plastic steering column away. Stripped it, jimmied two wires and drove it away.
He said he is real surprised not a lot of them are used
>>If I’m remembering correctly, for many years most GM cars had a shaft that ran down (parallel to) the steering column. Turning the key pushed this shaft down and it turned the electrical system on and cranked the starter. <<
this is absolutly true but usualy it is much easier to cross two wires and go.
>>any opinion on The Club?<<
yes. on some cars there is no need to even remove it you have to make wider turns but it is drivable. when i encountered one i would just pick the lock—its not even a very good one—this prooved easier than the saw method.
lastly i wasn’t usualy as concerned with making off quickly as with it looking like it was my car (like i locked the keys in)–a frantic attempt at speed draws more attention than looking pissed. (i had a couple of people offer to help me get into my car when doing this.)
zyada: rofl
I locked both sets of keys in my saturn once. I called the dealer to get help, they asked for the VIN and told to come pick up my new key. I had to pay 15 or 20 bucks for it and they made me fill out a form, but I NEVER SHOWED THEM ANY ID.
Also…
One day after high school a freind of mine was standing by his (japanese model) looking in the window swearing.
Friend: you drive a chevy right.
Me: yeah why.
Friend: Gimme your keys.
Me: Why?
Friend: I left my keys in the ignition, any chevy key will work these (japanese model), just gimme your keys.
Me: Your full of shit. (tossing him the keys)
Click and he opens the door.
Friend: Thanks man. (tosses me the keys and drives away while I stand there looking stupid.)
Quadell, no news on the car?
Have you checked three blocks down the street at the restaurant you were at the night before? Perhaps the car was hungry.
I know that someone else’s keys can sometimes open your trunk/hatchback – I almost stashed a very valuable item in the back of someone’s Nissan Sentra thinking it was my friend’s. That was over ten years ago, of course.