legacycentral bbs

kingbobdole from AWDPirates.net wrote: Tired of those old style keys holding you back? Jealous of all the fancy new car owners and their cool keys? You too can have cool keys, here's how.

Step one:
The best thing you can do is to get your key code. This will insure that your new key will work even better in your old car. There are a few ways to get the code. The first way that is guaranteed NOT to work is to call the dealer with your vin number and see if it's in their computer. 95% of the time it is not. Some dealers had it entered when the car was made, but not many... now a days it is a standard thing to do for a new car.

The second way is to have a factory key with the 4 digit number stamped on the key itself. My wagon and RX were that way which makes it really easy.

The final spot is in your passengers door. There are a few screws under the handle and if you have cranks, those have to come off too(with the window up). Then just pull the door card off. If you have really good eyes, look up at the door lock cylinder, and on the little arm that goes from the cylinder to the linkage there is the number printed. My eyes suck, so I'll pull the little spring clip out of the cylinder and pull it off the door to get a better look.

If you are just too lazy, you can get it match cut... but any wear currently on your keys will get worse with the cut... I was using a factory key for the longest time, and wanted one to work better as the ignition was giving me issues... so I used the code and it works much better now. Hint: Get the code.

Step Two:
This is probably the hardest step... Convincing the dealer guy that you are not an idiot and it will work. The new key is not fatter by much, but it is longer. The current gen cars are 10 cut keys for added security. The older EA series stuff is an 8 cut key, but more on that later. Basically you get to argue with the counter bums until they do your bidding... Phrases like "Look, I'll pay for it even if it doesn't work" and "This STi key works in my '89" do not effect them. Make sure you do get prices though, some keys are rather high.. the STi one is like $35 for the blank, newer LGT ones are about $15. Regular not-so-high-hp blanks are like $5.

Step Three:
Modifying the key. Since the new keys are 10 cut length, but you just got 8 cuts taken out of it... there are 2 segments that were just not cut. This will be very easy to see as your key will look like an oddly shaped arrow. Basically all you need to do is smooth the tip down to the width of the first actual cut. You DO NOT need to shorten the key. You DO NOT need to get crazy with it. Just file the harsh arrow tips down a bit until they fall in line with the rest of the cut of the key. Don't get too far away from the tip either, just the first 1/4" or so is all you need to do. This can be done with anything as well, the first time I used a pocket leatherman right in the parking lot. Today I used the grinding wheel, and the wire wheel to take off the sharp edges. Any regular file will also do...

The Result:


The STi key fits my '89 XT-6 and the newer legacy key fits my '87 GL wagon. If you look at the first little bump on the tip of the XT key, you can see how far I had to go to smooth it off... not that far.

Enjoy!