Club 80-90 Forums

Can it be done without a key ? I have nearly mangled my tumbler trying to get it loose but is it impossible without the actual working key ? Got the grub screw out, plenty of lube. Never had a key, always had to open/close from inside. Can I get a key cut with the engraved number and start from there ?

thanks

Stefvan

Watching as I have the same issue

I gave up all thoughts of getting mine out and bought new handle and lock when I tired of messing with it. Now have one very black handle on the van!

Or, at another tack, does anyone know of a mail order "cut to code" service where I can tell them my 4 digit code so I can get a key cut and get the tumbler out

tia

Stefvan

you should be able to get the barrel out by fitting any key and using a screwdriver to pry the innermost end where you can see the internals once it starts to come out you can get hold of the key end and withdraw, nb the bar may fall out and the spring which fits right in the end will also fall out
chances are tumblers are stuck and reamed large so getting a key cut to code unlikely to work even if there was anyone who had the code book, VW dealerships were told to destroy them so they don't seem to have made it into circulation, I tried to get all the key cutting stuff from Warrington dealer but it was skipped when noone with any common sense was looking

Hi
Aidan, you were correct.. the mechanism is jammed solid. It won't come out at all. I got a key cut by a guy on Ebay, he has now started listing a T Twenty-Five specific lock service, the blank is nothing fancy but the key works a treat and the service was quick. No excuse not to have a brand new spare !
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271929483612?
His ad states he can cut numbers from N1 through to N9282
I also bought the set of tumblers from VW, to sort out my other locks, once I have sorted out my van I will offer up the rest of the tumblers for sale as either a one-lock kit (with say 3 of each tumbler and 5 springs)) or a 4-lock kit (with 8 of each tumbler and 20 springs). If you wanted to completely overhaul every tumbler and spring you need 10 per lock. I'd be selling a simple kit to get you going with 1 key for all locks and you might need to recycle some tumblers. Apparently these kits won't do the ignition barrel so you'll need to match to the ignition key. (And its probably a good idea to get a "cut to code" key to kick off.)
The procedure to re-tumble is straightforward, especially if you have a working key to get the barrel out !
I am now in need of a late sliding door handle, working key preferred but not essential !

Stefvan


Re-tumbling guide, for your reference
http://wiki.the-corrado.net/re_tumbing_locks.html