Today at work (valet driving at Ballys in Atlantic City) an incident at our overflow lot happened; the booth which holds the valet-ed cars’ keys burned down , destroying all the keys.
We had to call a 24 hour locksmith to cut new keys…how do they do this? The originals are too damaged to be templates, and the key rings had no little metal tags with code numbers.
Can the key teeth be derived from a vehicle’s VIN or something?
Yes, the manufacturer has lists of all the key cuts for each VIN.
While the car makers do carry list of VIN’s and key codes, this is probably not what happen when you called the locksmith. There is a very simple reason for this, this info is not in the public domain. The Locksmith probably cut a new key from scratch using a file. (don’t try this at home, he is a trained pro) I have seen this done when a dealership lost the keys to a car. IIRC correctly it took the guy about 20 minutes before he had a working key.
Some car keys contain security measures such as embedded microchips or magnetic tags and can only be acquired from the dealer.
I think some cars have a keycode that is written on them somewhere that only a locksmith can figure out with their spiffy book of codes.
As mentioned above, it’s pretty easy to make a new key with a file & some carbon black.
You are correct, I did not want to get into laser cut, and chip embedded keys many of which are not field cuttable.
It was probably a combo of the two: using key codes from the manufacturer and impressioning (that’s the term for making a key from a blank with nothing but the lock and some tools). Impressioning sometimes is very easy (under ten minutes) and sometimes it’s not. It can be tough to learn though.
Depends on the car.
GM does keep key codes by the vehicle VIN number where the customer can call and get the keys released to the locksmith.
More paper work for the locksmith (has to verify ID of person getting keys) but quick and easy.
Fords Most newer fords keys are generated with tryout keys then progressed on the other locks (can be done from Ign to doors or from doors to Ign)
Dodge and Chrysler Most can be made by impressioning the lock (using a keyblank and file)
Import cars (regarding locks*) Most have codes located somewhere in the vehicle (depending on who made it and when) Most times on a passanger side door lock. Also some can be impressioned.
Some newer vehicles have transponder or VATS keys.
VATS a GM system, uses a chip in the key that has a set resistor value. If the chip is there and matches the computer allows the car to start. Interogating for the chip value (with no code) can be done with the proper equipment.
Transponder is used on many import vehicles and is not taking over the mainstream and standard for security systems via ign. (VATS is being phased out by GM) These can be reporduced sometimes by interrogating the computer and reprograming the computer to accept the new transponder code. Some you have to tow the vehicle to the dealership and have a new chip installed with new keys for the toon of 2,000 dollars cough cough toyotacough*
*New nissan vans used a brigs and stratton Ign and door lock found on Fords, many “domestic” vehicles actually have locks traditionally on “import” vehicle.
Depends on the car.
GM does keep key codes by the vehicle VIN number where the customer can call and get the keys released to the locksmith.
More paper work for the locksmith (has to verify ID of person getting keys) but quick and easy.
Fords Most newer fords keys are generated with tryout keys then progressed on the other locks (can be done from Ign to doors or from doors to Ign)
Dodge and Chrysler Most can be made by impressioning the lock (using a keyblank and file)
PS as I wait for the gerbils to get their second wind so this post does nto time out I would just like to say… 6 months and no locksmith questions… now all of the sudden Locksmith questions all over GQ. On a day when I was going straight to the pit with something… sigh gonna see if the Gerbils will let this one thru.
Import cars (regarding locks*) Most have codes located somewhere in the vehicle (depending on who made it and when) Most times on a passanger side door lock. Also some can be impressioned.
Some newer vehicles have transponder or VATS keys.
VATS a GM system, uses a chip in the key that has a set resistor value. If the chip is there and matches the computer allows the car to start. Interogating for the chip value (with no code) can be done with the proper equipment.
Transponder is used on many import vehicles and is not taking over the mainstream and standard for security systems via ign. (VATS is being phased out by GM) These can be reporduced sometimes by interrogating the computer and reprograming the computer to accept the new transponder code. Some you have to tow the vehicle to the dealership and have a new chip installed with new keys for the toon of 2,000 dollars cough cough toyotacough*
*New nissan vans used a brigs and stratton Ign and door lock found on Fords, many “domestic” vehicles actually have locks traditionally on “import” vehicle.