I locked the keys inside my '89 Buick Century, and before calling a locksmith, I tried to hook a hanger down in there, but failed. Meanwhile, my friend jammed every key he owned into the driver’s side lock to see if it might work. After the locksmith opened my car, I found that my friend had damaged the lock (bent the pins, perhaps?) and I can no longer turn my key either to the left or right. (Only the key mechanism is broken. I can lock and unlock the door manually from the inside).
I am a penniless college student, so living a lifestyle that includes unlocking the passenger side door every time to get in is not totally unreasonable. But I would like to fix my lock by myself or as cheaply as possible. I also don’t mind using a different key for the driver’s side and the passenger side. Just so I can unlock the driver’s door to get in.
Could anyone offer me advice on getting and installing these parts for cheap? Or any better ideas for me, other than leaving my door unlocked?
I might consider leaving the door unlocked most of the time, and using the passenger side if I must lock it. Who steals 89 Centurys that would be deterred by the door lock but NOT by missing the ignition key? You might have to use the trunk to lock up stuff that otherwise is left on the seat, but as I recall the trunk is big.
It’s not really hard to replace the cylinder if you have the part and are handy, but if you were into that sort of thing you would probably already know this.
herman_and_bill , that’s a clever idea if it works. My only fear is that messing with both locks could result in my breaking BOTH of them and having a real problem. (The locks operate in opposite directions IIRC, but perhaps the hardware is interchangeable.)
** gcarroll ** , I have a station wagon, and at school I often have tires and stuff for my automotive project in my car, so I really prefer to keep my car locked, as all my stuff is in view.
Someone also recommended going to a locksmith rather than a car shop, but couldn’t estimate a cost.
The lock will be held in with a clip. Remove clip. Disconnect linkage rod from back of lock. (hard to explain how to do but is easy to figure out) Take lock to locksmith see if he can repair lock. (as long as lock does not have to be replaced under 20 dollars) pick up lock then reinstall.
More times then not, the face cap or weather door on the lock is what gets buggered. These are inexpensive repairs for a locksmith. Bent wafers a bit more trouble but still not hard to do.
You can also find a lock in a salvage yard and have a locksmith rekey it to your key, then install it yourself.
Just make sure your door key will go in the lock. If the key can go in but does not turn the lock can be rekeyed to your key.
Thanks, Osip, I removed the lock without too much difficulty (although it was a pretty tight space to work in while also trying to shine a flashlight up there.)
I knew it would be easier to do this a second time, so I went with herman_and_bill’s idea to switch locks. Now I can get in through the driver’s door, but not unlock the passenger’s door from the outside. This could be a problem for a chivalrous fellow on a date, but I am unlikely to be in that situation anytime soon.