How To Recode A Door Lock

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res1vw21

It's only metal
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res1vw21 submitted a new Article:

How To Recode A Door Lock

Well I needed to recode a door lock for the passenger & drivers side of the Dart so I took some pics and am doing a mini write up.

I started by taking the old lock top off and removing the springs. Next VERY CAREFULLY tap the top pins out in order. Do Not mix these up. After the top pins are out the bottom pins come out ALSO IN ORDER, lay these in order on a clean work surface. Take the lock to be recoded and do the same. REMEMBER THE TOP AND BOTTOM PINS CORRESPOND. I needed two locks to get the right sized pins so you may have to have a second one as a spare.

Now take the pins that you took out of the donor locks and carefully match them to the pins that are in order out of the lock that you are keying the new one too. THESE NEED TO MATCH EXACTLY.

Once I had the pins matched exactly, be careful some may look close but are not the same, I put back together my original. Take the bottom pin and place it in the bore then tap it down gently. (remember point first) Once all the bottom pins are in insert the key and make sure it rotates. Now carefully do the same with the top pins and springs. If the lock is hard to turn STOP it should be as easy as butter. Don't force anything to rotate. Don't forget the top.

I like to crimp the top again then put a piece of electrical tape around it to ensure it stays tight.

Now do the same with the lock you are re keying. Take your time and remember the pins look similar but are slightly different so if the key is sticky you may need to change out the incorrect pin for the proper one.

I don't know if someone wants to tech archive this but feel free to do so.

-Ross-


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Cool demo. One of those things I still have to do.

Thanks
 
funny thing happens when you are a body man, they will sell you things like that.
 
I have to do this with my car. I have two questions about how you did this. Are the door locks and trunk lock the same key or is the ignition key supposed to match the door locks? Did you have extra pins or are they all the same but in different orders?

Thanks a ton

Dave
 
I have to do this with my car. I have two questions about how you did this. Are the door locks and trunk lock the same key or is the ignition key supposed to match the door locks? Did you have extra pins or are they all the same but in different orders?

Thanks a ton

Dave


the door locks and ignition are the same the trunk is a different key. I don't see why the trunk couldn't be key to the other locks though. The only extra pins were the ones to the other lock that I used to get the proper pins. remember the top and bottom pins correspond so don't mix them up I did and I had lots of fun resorting them.
 
... I don't see why the trunk couldn't be key to the other locks though...


I think in most cases the trunk lock takes a different key blank, with different grooves running along the side of the key, so the two aren't interchangable.
 
I have a car where the driver door will lock with the key, but not by locking it and holding the handle, and it will open with the handle when locked. Is this the solution?
 
Thanks all.

I'll have to go by trial and error as my ignition key doesn't match my door locks at all.
 
I think in most cases the trunk lock takes a different key blank, with different grooves running along the side of the key, so the two aren't interchangable.


you are right I am looking at a set of keys right now and the grove in the tops of the keys don't line up with one another. I don't know if you could adapt a door lock to fit where a trunk lock fits.
 
Thanks all.

I'll have to go by trial and error as my ignition key doesn't match my door locks at all.

I would think if you can get the ignition lock cylinder out you could figure out what pins you need and rekey the door locks. you might need a few extra locks for parts though.
 
I have a car where the driver door will lock with the key, but not by locking it and holding the handle, and it will open with the handle when locked. Is this the solution?

I would say that your latch might be to blame. In my newport I have to use the key to lock it but in my scamp I can lock it then close the door. Maybe someone put the wrong latch inside? or hooked it up wrong?
 
I would say that your latch might be to blame. In my newport I have to use the key to lock it but in my scamp I can lock it then close the door. Maybe someone put the wrong latch inside? or hooked it up wrong?

I believe they changed it in the early 70's to be able to lock the door without the key. My 70 duster had to be locked with the key as well as all my pre 70 mopars.
 
I went the easy way with my trunk lock. I got myself a power trunk release from a 80's Diplomat and replaced my manual one withit. My car must have had a power trunk release when it was new because there was a large solenoid mounted to the trunk lid and a push button behind the ashtray. I just had to run a wire to the button.
 
I have to do this with my car. I have two questions about how you did this. Are the door locks and trunk lock the same key or is the ignition key supposed to match the door locks? Did you have extra pins or are they all the same but in different orders?

Thanks a ton

Dave

Call the locksmith and see what they will charge to re-key your door locks to your ignition key. If the price is reasonable take out your door locks and have them do it.
 
If you decide to re-key the door locks at a locksmith just remove the locks and take the ignition key with the locks and they will be able to re-key them the same. But like he said it will cost you around $15.00 a Piece. Other than that you can order a set that comes with the ignition and the two door locks new for about $69.00. Shipping Included
 
Wow,I just got a lesson.You guys are pretty smart.I missed this thread or I would have helped but that's ok,you guys seem to have figgered everything out yourselves,congratulations.=D>

Did I mention I've been a locksmith for 35 years?:-D
 
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