All,

I recently purchased this vehicle and the key is kind of twisted. This results in making it next to impossible to open any of the doors and the ignition.

I'd like to have a new key cut, but won't all of the keys have the same problem?

I'd like to address this in the least expensive way, and I think that the sooner I do this the cheaper it will be.

Also, I have no way of knowing whether or not the ignition switch is worn etc without trying another key first.

Kind of an expensive catch 22.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

Put the key in a flat jaw vice to straighten it. Gently twist it opposite of its current twist to help if needed. It will get you by for a little while and provide you a much better model for a new key.

I likey! I tried to straighten it out in the past gently with pliers, but the vice should allow me to focus more.

Great idea. Will come back if it doesn't work!

Ive had bent keys duplicated. Take it to a locksmith (not home depot).

pauleyman said:

Ive had bent keys duplicated. Take it to a locksmith (not home depot).

Click to expand...

This.

I've had a locksmith make a new key from a broken key before.

Thanks all! Gotta find a good one around here!

when making a car key duplicate do you have to provide any kind of paperwork to prove you own the car?

Take your ID and reg to the nearest dealer, get the key code from the parts department, have a lock smith cut you a brand new key from code.

Wondering if I can take my ID, Title signed over to me, and bill of sale.

I guess I will be ok, they know me well over there.

I don't register jack until my car is running. Don't want to pay insurance on all of my broken vehicles.

Hopefully you have better luck than me. I went to my local Mitsu and Chrysler dealers and they told me they don't have the records to cut me a new key.

KuckFatrina said:

Hopefully you have better luck than me. I went to my local Mitsu and Chrysler dealers and they told me they don't have the records to cut me a new key.

Click to expand...

isn't the key basic, any locksmith should be able to duplicate it? I can understand the laser cut Benz stuff, but this should be basic.

mikehuntisitchy said:

isn't the key basic, any locksmith should be able to duplicate it? I can understand the laser cut Benz stuff, but this should be basic.

Click to expand...

I think the poster means they have no key at all to duplicate. Maybe they can clarify.

KuckFatrina said:

Hopefully you have better luck than me. I went to my local Mitsu and Chrysler dealers and they told me they don't have the records to cut me a new key.

Click to expand...

Sorry about the bad luck.

You don't need all that stuff if you have your old key. Poster must have had no key at all. With newer cars the dealer has access to key codes to make them from nothing.

Same thing happened to my 2g spare key. I went to home Depot and they made me a copy that wasn't twisted and it cost less then $2 since our keys don't have chips.

awesome said:

Same thing happened to my 2g spare key. I went to home Depot and they made me a copy that wasn't twisted and it cost less then $2 since our keys don't have chips.

Click to expand...

Seriously? Wow. How bad was the original twisted? For me, I have to turn the key about 100 times before it will turn any of the locks.

I'd like to try this first if possible, but I have trouble believing previous owner wouldn't have tried that already.

It would take maybe 10 times to get the key to turn in the door. But it was obvious how twisted it was because my friends would notice instantly. It's worth a shot since homedepot will make the key for so cheap.

awesome said:

It would take maybe 10 times to get the key to turn in the door. But it was obvious how twisted it was because my friends would notice instantly. It's worth a shot since homedepot will make the key for so cheap.

Click to expand...

Lol, yeah no kidding! Thanks for the specifics.

Like someone else said, a lock smith can make a copy Even from a broken one.

I lost all my keys once. Just needed to take off the passenger lock assembly and they cut me a new one.

Wal mart works too. I had a key crack in my door on Valentine's day with my date in the passenger seat. i walked to the wal mart across the street with the two pieces of the key and they had me a spare for under $10 in a couple minutes.

4gfun said:

I think the poster means they have no key at all to duplicate. Maybe they can clarify.

Click to expand...

I do have a key. However, it is bent up and has seen better days. I bought a new blank from JNZ (because it's just so pretty) and brought it to the dealers and they told me they couldn't do it. Haven't had time to locate a locksmith yet. But it's on the list of many things to do.

I had an original key for my 97, but lost it riding dirt bikes. Being a genius riding with my keys in a hoodie, but that aside.
I'm a tech at a GMC dealer, so I had my parts guys call the local dealer the next city over and order me a key. Cost me like $20
Then when I picked up the key, asked then for the code with my vin, got it, took it to my old neighbor a lock smith who cut it for me for free.
Part of the reason I did this, is once a key gets worn, and you cut a copy at Home Depot or wherever, the copies only get worse.
That being said, with a new key cut from code, you might need some "lockease" or just some white lith in your lock cylinders to get it working right.

Lots of experience with keys, tumblers, and ignitions due to the wonderful amount of recalls I'm doing for GM

KuckFatrina said:

Hopefully you have better luck than me. I went to my local Mitsu and Chrysler dealers and they told me they don't have the records to cut me a new key.

Click to expand...

That sounds like they're just too lazy to do it.

Chrysler may not have access to the key codes since you have an Eclipse, but the Mitsu dealer can simply run a Superscreen on your VIN # and pull the key code.

Mitsu logs all key code inquiries, and limits access to certain log-ins, but either the Parts Manager or Service Manager should have access rights.

Hope this helps.

Josh

19Eclipse90 said:

Put the key in a flat jaw vice to straighten it. Gently twist it opposite of its current twist to help if needed. It will get you by for a little while and provide you a much better model for a new key.

Click to expand...

Great advice. And I would put the entire key between the flat jaws in order to lessen the risk of breaking it. Flatten it back out and have your new key cut.
Fix your locks or your just gonna twist your new key too. I like graphite in my locks. Turns like brand new.

DSSA said:

That sounds like they're just too lazy to do it.

Chrysler may not have access to the key codes since you have an Eclipse, but the Mitsu dealer can simply run a Superscreen on your VIN # and pull the key code.

Mitsu logs all key code inquiries, and limits access to certain log-ins, but either the Parts Manager or Service Manager should have access rights.

Hope this helps.

Josh

Click to expand...

They did seem pretty lazy. I'll go talk to the manager next time and hopefully get results. Thanks for the help.