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| Buying a fiero with no keys (Page 3/3) |
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viperine
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FEB 08, 12:42 AM
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The title concern should be the primary concern. Verify that first. If the doors are locked, Fiero's are stupid easy to get into. A trunk release switch will give instant access there, if the battery has power.
Worst case scenario, the door lock cylinders do not have a code stamped into their exterior. No matter, a locksmith can still identify the key coding by disassembling the cylinder further.
Being a 4 cylinder, both door locks and trunk lock plus a key that matches all 3 can be had cheap. NOS GT sets are around $100, so it should be doable for half that for a quality set.
I have rebuilt lock cylinders with junkyard sets and still have my original keys. It's not rocket science!
The odds of a column having been replaced are somewhat higher, which means a new key could have replaced the factory original that the VIN was tied to, if the database at the dealer even offers VIN cut keys. Saginaw columns were a target of thieves throughout the 80's and 90's. Even I was a victim of attempted theft less than a year ago that a locked fiero had its' column smashed to smithereens.
Though one final note, an ignition cylinder does require the key to be inserted for the cylinder to be removed when tearing the column down, does it not?
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Notglitchd
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FEB 08, 05:12 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by viperine:
The title concern should be the primary concern. Verify that first. If the doors are locked, Fiero's are stupid easy to get into. A trunk release switch will give instant access there, if the battery has power.
Worst case scenario, the door lock cylinders do not have a code stamped into their exterior. No matter, a locksmith can still identify the key coding by disassembling the cylinder further.
Being a 4 cylinder, both door locks and trunk lock plus a key that matches all 3 can be had cheap. NOS GT sets are around $100, so it should be doable for half that for a quality set.
I have rebuilt lock cylinders with junkyard sets and still have my original keys. It's not rocket science!
The odds of a column having been replaced are somewhat higher, which means a new key could have replaced the factory original that the VIN was tied to, if the database at the dealer even offers VIN cut keys. Saginaw columns were a target of thieves throughout the 80's and 90's. Even I was a victim of attempted theft less than a year ago that a locked fiero had its' column smashed to smithereens.
Though one final note, an ignition cylinder does require the key to be inserted for the cylinder to be removed when tearing the column down, does it not? |
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I am unsure I haven't heard of the key needing to be in but this is my first pre 90s car. I'm fairly sure we will just have to murder the locks to do what we need to since our main concern is being able to get it on the dolly to get it home...not sure even if it runs
Again thanks guys for the idea if checking the vin. Not like I'm worried if some key parts were changed but I don't want a hacked up stolen car either
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Tempus_Fugit
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FEB 09, 08:52 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by viperine:
Though one final note, an ignition cylinder does require the key to be inserted for the cylinder to be removed when tearing the column down, does it not? |
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I think you may be correct, but I know I bought one without any keys once and managed to get the ignition lock out. Maybe had to use a bit of force? I don't exactly recall. Note you will need a wheel remover and a lockplate tool.
You can replace every lock on the car for about $80 on ebay.
If this car has been sitting for any length of time especially outside, the keys are probably the least of the problems you will have to deal with. They are just the first.
Not to discourage in any way, the fun (at least for me) is in chipping away at the problems and ending up with something pretty cool in the end.[This message has been edited by Tempus_Fugit (edited 02-10-2019).]
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fierofool
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FEB 09, 09:15 PM
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I would venture that the key isn't needed to remove the ignition cylinder. Most ignition cylinders are probably replaced due to lost keys.
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sourmash
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FEB 10, 10:36 AM
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As someone said, the ignition lock switch has an extra tumbler that the door and trunk locks don't have so a key made from the trunk or door won't work for the ignition switch. Think that started around 1972.
You can remove the cylinder without the key. This is pretty much how to do it. He does a good job of editing all the garbage out and getting to the point. Go straight to 1.56 if you want. What you're looking for is at 5:35 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14sGPdiB250
Buy/rent/borrow the tools. https://www.amazon.com/ABN-...y&sr=8-3-spons&psc=1
Some say to mark the wheel exactly where it came off is a plus so it's centered when you put it back on (if it was centered before removing, that is). There are factory marks already though. You can see a factory mark on his stalk at 8:37. Didn't see the steering wheel mark, but it's probably there. This all just takes time to do this the first time, like most things. Once you've done it it's a 30 minute deal at most. I bought the tools individually back when I used to buy derelict cars for parts.
Older locks instead of the torx screw to remove the lock you have a slot you pierce to get to a button to depress. Prob not on the Fiero, but I don't remember. Once you pierce the slot and depress the lock button I think you can rotate the switch and pull out the whole lock assembly. You can now put a new one in or have a key made for the old one.
BTW, if you have a tilt column that's loose there are 4 screws that secure it back down in place. Do all the steps without removing the lock switch and you can get to 3 of the 4 screws which will fix your flopping tilt.[This message has been edited by sourmash (edited 02-10-2019).]
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Notglitchd
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MAY 29, 12:15 PM
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tshark
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MAY 29, 08:06 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by vette7584:
as for the ignition key, it doesnt get much cheaper than this, you get a new cylinder and key, easy to install as well. as fo the doors and trunk lid, thats a different story..
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Maybe I'm doing it wrong. I was taking the column apart to replace the cylinder, because the black part on mine is all scratched up. How do you replace the cylinder without disassembling the column?
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