Question about which keys do what

[Stainless]

Hi all,

My VIN has the two key system: one key for the door locks and one for the ignition. Which key is supposed to be able to lock/unlock the cubby behind the driver's seat?

The lock on mine is not secured so I don't need a key to get in there, but when I installed the lock correctly, I discovered that none of my keys could successfully lock/unlock it. I even have the original keys for the car in a storage box, but they didn't work either. This is a very minor detail, but it would be nice if I could get the lock functioning properly. Thanks.

[Chris4099]

Engine key is the one normally used for the rear cubby.

[DMCMW Dave]

Best way to put it - on the two -key system, the door key works ONLY the doors. Everything else (cubby, gas cap, ignition) is the other key.

[David T]

It's really more like a 3 key system since you probably have a locking gas cap. Any good locksmith should be able to recombinate the lock for the cubby so your ignition key will work it. Be aware if your 2 key system has any problems you can no longer get parts to fix it. Keep the lock cylinders well lubricated and be very careful to insert the key straight in.
David Teitelbaum





Best way to put it - on the two -key system, the door key works ONLY the doors. Everything else (cubby, gas cap, ignition) is the other key.

[ramblinmike]

It's really more like a 3 key system since you probably have a locking gas cap. Any good locksmith should be able to recombinate the lock for the cubby so your ignition key will work it. Be aware if your 2 key system has any problems you can no longer get parts to fix it. Keep the lock cylinders well lubricated and be very careful to insert the key straight in.
David Teitelbaum

My ignition key unlocks the gas cap.

[DMCMW Dave]

My ignition key unlocks the gas cap.

So does everyone elses.

[Stainless]

So does everyone elses.

Hi Dave,

Since none of my four keys seem to be able to turn the lock on the cubby (the two new keys, neither the two original keys), what do you recommend?

[jawn101]

Hi Dave,

Since none of my four keys seem to be able to turn the lock on the cubby (the two new keys, neither the two original keys), what do you recommend?

I'm no Dave, but you could get a new lock for the cubby with your keycode, the locks are available from the vendors..

Might be a good time to consider upgrading to the one key system.

[Stainless]

I'm no Dave, but you could get a new lock for the cubby with your keycode, the locks are available from the vendors..

Might be a good time to consider upgrading to the one key system.

I have remote door locks and never use my door key, so in my mind I already have a one key system :)

This might sound dumb, but how do I know what the key code is for my particular car?

[jawn101]

I have remote door locks and never use my door key, so in my mind I already have a one key system :)

This might sound dumb, but how do I know what the key code is for my particular car?

It is written under your drivers side headliner (careful with this though, as the keys/locks may have been changed at some point, invalidating this number), or you can send a hi-res picture of your key to James at DMCH and he can decode it.

[DMCMW Dave]

Hi Dave,

Since none of my four keys seem to be able to turn the lock on the cubby (the two new keys, neither the two original keys), what do you recommend?

Do you care if it really locks? You can take the lock apart and remove the pins. Then it will turn and latch with the key. But it will turn and latch with anybody else's key too.

[Stainless]

It is written under your drivers side headliner (careful with this though, as the keys/locks may have been changed at some point, invalidating this number), or you can send a hi-res picture of your key to James at DMCH and he can decode it.

That's great. I was just going to ask what to do if the keys had been changed out at some point. I know that the locks are new on the door, so I wouldn't be surprised if the ignition key had changed some time in its life. I guess since I have the original keys, I could do a quick test and see if I can use them on the car. That would seem really strange if I could start the car with the original keys, but not open the cubby door with the original keys though...

[Stainless]

Do you care if it really locks? You can take the lock apart and remove the pins. Then it will turn and latch with the key. But it will turn and latch with anybody else's key too.

That's a great idea. I do not care if it really locks one bit. It is just sitting in there loose right now because I don't have a key that can lock/unlock it properly. I just want to be able to secure the lock in there and open and close it without the lock falling out. I'll see if I can dismantle it tonight and remove the pins. Thanks for the tip Dave.

[David T]

It is handy to have something that locks. The glove box doesn't. When I go to shows I lock all of my small stuff up in there so none of it goes missing. Pinning a cylinder is not a big deal and should not cost much if you remove it from the car and give him a key to pin it to. you do not have to buy one. I have not seen many locking gas caps. The one I remember had it's own key. I guess it was aftermarket. Well, if you have the ski rack you would have a 3 key system!
David Teitelbaum





That's a great idea. I do not care if it really locks one bit. It is just sitting in there loose right now because I don't have a key that can lock/unlock it properly. I just want to be able to secure the lock in there and open and close it without the lock falling out. I'll see if I can dismantle it tonight and remove the pins. Thanks for the tip Dave.

[Ron]

Do you care if it really locks? You can take the lock apart and remove the pins. Then it will turn and latch with the key. But it will turn and latch with anybody else's key too.
+1
That's what I was going to do but got lucky and noticed that I could get away with swapping them around except for one IIRC.

========

S, I hope you never have a dead battery...in the launcher or your D!

[ramblinmike]

So does everyone elses.

I didn't know why there was a reference to a 3-key system. That's all!

:)

[Stainless]

It is handy to have something that locks. The glove box doesn't. When I go to shows I lock all of my small stuff up in there so none of it goes missing. Pinning a cylinder is not a big deal and should not cost much if you remove it from the car and give him a key to pin it to. you do not have to buy one. I have not seen many locking gas caps. The one I remember had it's own key. I guess it was aftermarket. Well, if you have the ski rack you would have a 3 key system!
David Teitelbaum

I just put things I want secured at shows in the trunk. Not many people know how to open that, at least that is what I'm betting my lawn chairs and hot wheels cars on :)

My cubby is full of electronics, like the brains to the DVD player and the car alarm, so I wouldn't really use it for anything besides that anyway. I just don't like the lock being loose so that I can open it. I'd prefer to have a dummy lock that doesn't fall out when I pry open the cubby door.

[Ron]

I didn't know why there was a reference to a 3-key system. That's all!

:)LOL...I was going to say my cubby key fit the gas cap until I saw your post...but for...well you know

[Stainless]

I tried out the original DeLorean key set that was in the box of parts that came with the car and the key did turn the ignition. I didn't test the door key because the original key looked really beat up. But since none of the keys I have would open the lock on the cubby door, I took the lock apart and took out all of the pins so that any key can now open it. This is ideal for me because all I wanted to do was be able to secure the lock in place instead of having it loose. I did not care to have a functioning lock. Mission accomplished. :)