Lost ignition key...now what?

[chadzeilenga]

I bought my 90 Tiva a few months ago and am just getting around to seeing why it wouldn't start. Now I can't find the key for it. Can I get a new one made at a dealership? I don't have the title or registration in my name yet.

[MONSOON]

I think you can get one cut using a door lock. But it wont be cheap.

[25Horseplay]

Just replace all the locks and ignition with a set from a junkyard or place a want ad here. It'll be cheaper.

[festivaWES]

Use the hatch lock it doesn't get used as much and the tumblers are probably in better condition. 30 bucks at a pick a part in CA....post your location in your profile.

[Hot_Wheels]

umm just put a [WTB] in the for sale section and ask to buy people extra keys or duplicates. i have found that theres maybe 3 diffrent festiva keys there kind of universal

[stefan]

In the mean-time you can get it started with a phillips and a flat head. Add a set of needle-nose vise grips to that kit if you want to disable the column lock, and drive it.

[GenevaDirt]

umm just put a [WTB] in the for sale section and ask to buy people extra keys or duplicates. i have found that theres maybe 3 diffrent festiva keys there kind of universal

not true....I personally own 4 Festy's and not a single key interchanges in any of mine.

[Levitan]

I'm with Willie on this one. I own 8 Festys, have a couple extra columns and a couple spare cylinders, most with factory keys, and none of them swap. I know this for a fact because I kept forgetting which key fit which cylinder so I started labeling all of them. Now some might open a door, but not start the car, and visa versa, but there are definately waaaay more than 3 keys.

I'd just take a cylinder, probably a door cylinder because it seems to be pretty easy to remove, to a locksmith and he'll get it made for you.

[tulsacarman]

I had locksmith tell me that half the cuts are for the ignition and half are for the other cylinders. I needed a key made for a car when I was in your spot and he told me my door cylinder had only half the cuts needed. I ended up putting in an aftermarket replacement ignition cylinder (less than $20) and carrying 2 keys after that. That sound familiar to anyone else?

[IdealSociety]

its kind of mix-n-match, i believe of the 5 or so ive owned, at least 3 had interchangable keys and one of them had a key that worked with a friend of mine who had a festy back in highschool too hehe.

swap all the locks is your best bet if you dont have spares laying around like some of us to try out

[Ogrestiva]

If you pull out the tine/small metal piece at the end of the lock, then any mazda/double sided key will work. I figured that one out by myself with a small screwdriver, but it's kinda tricky, so you might wanna practice on a different lock first. Oh and I know of five key's that open my doors!

Disclaimer: this will probably permanently break your lock, so don't do it unless you are prepared to replace it if it doesn't work.

[getnpsi]

Just making it start is only some of the issue. Eventually it's going to be out and about and need to be locked. I would try to file down another festiva key first. where are you located?? maybe someone here can help, many of the members have multiple cars. Other than that you're gonna have to replace the set...which isnt a lot if you swipe the little locks and only pay for the large column piece...not that I condone swiping.

[hotrodin4me]

The last festiva i bought had no keys
Went to my local locksmith and he said one of the door locks
should have a number stamp on it.Removed both sides and the passenger side
had a number on it.From that number he made a key for the car.

[chadzeilenga]

Going to try a locksmith

I think I'm going to go the locksmith route and have him make up keys for my car. I heard he can look it up using the VIN? Is that true? Otherwise I can pull the passenger lock cylinder and take it to him right?
I'm in Crete, IL and will buy extra keys if anyone has any laying around.

[chadzeilenga]

It's the passenger lock cyl.

I called a local locksmith and there is a key code stamped on the passenger lock cylinder. He looked it up in a book and told me to just bring that in and he'll make a key for it. Pretty glad I don't have to sit in a JY and pull our the lock cyl & ignition since it's so dang cold up here.