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Cutting a Key based on VIN #

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JRSTANGE

10+ Year Contributor
200
0
Apr 11, 2010
Ballwin, Missouri
I just picked up the twin to my 1990 Eclipse GSX.

Last night I just picked up a 1990 Eclipse GS Turbo. The car is stock as stock can be and in fantastic shape with only 51,xxx miles on the car.

Down side is the prior owners can not find the key. They will continue to look but, in the mean time I thought i would ask.

What are the chances of a dealership cutting a key based on the Vin number of a 23 years old car?

Has anynoe had experience with this before?

Thanks,
 
I would try a lock smith first, I had the same issue witha dsm i bopught last year.

The dealership want way to much for a key made.

I paid $45 at a lock smith and it worked just fine.

It is all done by the vin number.

Other option is to remove one of the locks and take it down to the lock smith as well.

Good luck.
 
this happened to me when I lost my only key to my 91 talon last year. take your Vin and go to a Mitsu dealer. I have to buy a OEM key blank, and take my vin/ title/ and key to a Chrysler dealer to get it cut because eagle is technically Chrysler, so it was in there systems. I would imagine you would only need to go to a mitsu dealer. Only cost me 20$
 
I tried to get a key made for my 92 laser. They said it was too old and not in the computer anymore. I had to pull a door handle and take it to a lock smith. Cost me 12 bucks and some work to get the handle out.
 
I had to have this done as well because the only key I had to my car was broken in three pieces I took it to a lock smith and a very old man could read the mountains and valleys of the key and punched it into an automatic key cutter.

The process was usually around 60 buck but because he didn't know if it would work or not he gave me the key for $8.00 dollars and said if it worked I could choose to come back and pay the remainder or not.

I went back right away to give the man the $52! I was shocked that someone could read a key like that and that it actually worked.
 
Thanks everyone.

I called the dealership and they said they don't normally keep information for cars older than 10 years. They gave me the name of a locksmith they know and use for situation like these. They said he will be able to come out to my house and get it taken care of.

Which works out well since he won't need a title in hand to do it as long as the car is at my house.

Prior owners have applied for a lost title on the car and I am waiting.

The locksmith should be out this coming wednesday.
 
After he opens the car, see if he can make a key for ya. I lost the key to one of my DSMs years ago, and the smith told me to take off the passenger side door lock. Apparently, there is a numerical code on the lock itself, which can be uploaded into a program that is able to show how the key is to be cut. This was back in 2003, so maybe it cant be done like this anymore.
 
We will find out.

The doors are unlocked. I just can't start the car with out the key. Problem being I am waiting for my 3 year old to accidently lock the doors. Then I will need the locksmith to get in it. Hopefully the doesn't lock me out of the car.

But, based on what the dealership told me is he will be able to make me a key for it.

In the mean time, I need to check on how much gas it does or doesnt have. Drain the tank and clean it out. remove the fuel filter and blow out the lines. Then put a new fuel filter on it. Of course an oil change and spark plugs. Then fingers crossed it should fire right up.

Reason they stopped driving it some 10/11 years ago is they thought it skipped timing. Well thats not the case as the engine turns over by hand and everything including the timing belts and others look like brand new still. But, what I found was the evap hose and breather hose have been disconnected from the turbo intake. I am betting this is what it is.

They said he put a breather filter on the valve cover. Took it for a drive and the car stumbled and died and wouldn't restart. So it sounds like a vaccume leak or boost leak to me.

Once it's running I will clean up the entire car and likely sell it even though I would like to keep it.

But, I bet people would love to have a stock un modded 51k miles DSM to keep origional as is it or to start a new project with and not have to figure out someone elses problems or mods.

I would think it should be a fairly easy sale.

I will post a picture.

Started a new thread with pictures.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/wel...1990-eclipse-gs-turbo-home.html#post153270269
 
The dealership was not completely honest with you. They can get the key code even for the 24 year old car, but you would have to prove ownership to them with the title or something.

The way you are proceeding should work.
 
The dealership was not completely honest with you. They can get the key code even for the 24 year old car, but you would have to prove ownership to them with the title or something.

The way you are proceeding should work.

I spoke to their parts/service department and the gentleman said they dont have the information going back more than 10 years. I am not going to say he is lying. but, as long as I get a key I am happy. Hopefully next wednesday so I can get to working on this car I will be happy.
 
The dealer is not going to lie to you if it's too g to make them money.

Some are just different. If the dealer has been in the same place for a long time your better off trying them.

I needed a key for my 92 celica, went to Toyota and it happened to be on the very last old crusty piece of paper in their binder.. Then needed a key for a 90 chevy 1 ton they wanted the title but it was no problem.

Now ford however! I k ow for a fact they won't cut anything older than 01 and that dealer has been there since before I was born :p
 
Disconnect the battery so both doors don't lock if your kid is messing around in there

Thanks! That I did. this way she can't lock both doors at the same time. So I can get in if needed. I have also not latched the hatch all the way incase I need to crawl into it.

She is three and she loves red cars and playing with all my tools. Not like my eight year old who is so so about cars, she could really care less.
 
That information is stored with the dealership or can be obtained by the dealership with relative ease. I went to random Chrysler dealership in the city with my VIN and he obtained the code to cut the key within minutes. I don't even think he asked for proof of ownership, but maybe -- it was back in December of 2008. No charge, but that may vary.

The only thing that didn't work well was them cutting a copy of my ignition key; apparently the cylinder's been replaced at some point. It didn't work well.
 
I would try a lock smith first, I had the same issue witha dsm i bopught last year.

The dealership want way to much for a key made.

I paid $45 at a lock smith and it worked just fine.

It is all done by the vin number.

Other option is to remove one of the locks and take it down to the lock smith as well.

Good luck.

Lucky you, i went to go have the key to my 99 gsx duplicated last night, the first place I called was a lock smith, they wanted $120.. That's right, $120 freaking dollars! Went to Ace hardware, got two key copies and an ice-cream sandwich for under $10
 
I hope this lock smith isnt' going to try and rake me. I will make sure to ask first before he comes out next week.

I also need copies of the keys for my GSX. The keys work but, both are twisted and when I have had copys made they don't work. So maybe he can cut me a deal with two cars.
 
I spoke to their parts/service department and the gentleman said they dont have the information going back more than 10 years. I am not going to say he is lying. but, as long as I get a key I am happy. Hopefully next wednesday so I can get to working on this car I will be happy.

Basically they admitted they don't know how to do it, or didn't want to bother. Any legit dealer can access electronic records that go back into the 1980s (talking mitsu dealer here...). It is available in the same place they look up any applicable recalls for your vehicle. As long as the key cylinders are original, the key code will be correct. The dealership itself does not have to have on-site records.
 
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