Breaking Into Your Own Car

The ones with the flat button? True that! But with the 'Japanese tool' (goes under the glass and comes up inside) it's a piece of cake. _____________________________________________

............... the WORST to open IMO is a mid 80's Toyota truck.. the rods in the door are enclosed in steel boxes and are NOT accessible --Shiva--

Just break a vent window and replace it later.

About the same price as a vent glass...

I rush no one and allow no one to rush me, I am gratefull! Thanks!!

you mean to the lever inside panel of the door? wrong model.. 'think Focus rear door-same tool'

--Shiva--

Next time you look at one, lift the door handle up about half way and stick a pencil up the resulting hole in the door so you can push on the bottom of the lock button :)

Rob

snipped-for-privacy@notanywhere.net wrote:

no schitt, did he even know what a Studebaker was? We have professional locksmiths on this NG (Shiva is the one that always comes to my mind when I see "key" issues with classic vehicles.

because he dont do that much OLDER.. how many you need? I got...30 hanging on hook, maybe? just regular aftermarket ones, NOT teh Chrysler or Stude Logo..

--Shiva--

I am 'frugal'.. isn't everyone here? I do NOT have the tool necessary to program new Ford keys into a vehicle.. Ford started with these in 86, and in 2000 REQUIRES a hand held diagnostic tool to 'add/fix' electronic key problems.. The first version out was $2300.. this does NOT cut keys, just takes care of the electronic/computer issue.. the next version was the size of a laptop with a full touch screen.. $4500 or so.. the LATEST version is a 'palm pilot' size unit.. $400.. PLUS a grand a month to keep it up to date.. the local dealer charges $65 to do that.. HE can have the tool expense..and he enjoys it.. I do the MECHANICAL key part for him, and enjoy that.. Ditto GM, same arrangement with that dealer.. but their tool is $2900 now.. and in MY neck of the woods if it AINT a Ford or Chevy, there is not much CLOSE, as far as a particular brand that requires additional electronic gadgets..but there area LOT of carts that DO require these tools.. almost all new, especially foreign..

IF, IMO ONLY, a person was to become a 'new car' locksmith, you need a new laptop, about a grand or so, with XP-NO Vista.. a couple of key machines- 1 can cost as much as $13,000 for one of the new fancy ones.. plus a lot of hand held devices, estimates vary from $15,000 to 25,000, and a LOT of VERY expensive software, for foreign cars.. this car needs a code-this software will give you the code, given certain input...$395 for the disk, and here are several like that..

so, lets say you drop $50k and 'now you can do cars'... maybe..

Lets go into the local 'hardware store' that has a key machine..he has a 4 sided or 6 sided key tower.. that selection will USUALLY cover 90% of the MOST COMMON CURRENT KEYS.. thats the design of it..and none of the 'high dollar/high security' car keys on it..

go into a lock shop-maybe his specialty is institutional work, meaning businesses, and house type stuff.. he IS a locksmith but he never sees a car..

he might do alarms in addition, or electronic lock systems..

I have an interest in old cars, PLUS I am in an area where we got older cars..one of my better customers, till he got sick recently ONLY dealt with 60-64 Chevy Pickups..nothing older OR newer..

the oldest car i worked on was the steering wheel off a 23 Ford..it had 4 locks on the wheel and column by itself, all different the oldest SAFE i ever fixed was made in 1856..and was still being used..

It all depends on your area..

and BTW, LAST YEAR, of all the foreign car keys I got, I think I sold about 15 FOR THE YEAR..

Him not having that blank would not really concern me as he being a 'bad locksmith'.. there is none of those old 'muscle car' type in that particular area..

--Shiva--

whats the glove box key?

--Shiva--