Lost my Keys!

[Qberto]

As the title says, I lost my keys

What are my options here? I must have called 30 locksmiths in my city who all give me a flabbergasted response with this car. Went to a guy doing locksmithing for 30+ years to make a spare set, he just looked at it with amazement and said he couldn’t do it. Couldn’t believe it. My first attempt stumped this guy. I call around and ask if they can make a new key, they ask what make/model/year, and again I get an exacerbated response with a quick “We don’t do cars like that” “We don’t work on foreign cars” “We don’t work on anything that old” I mean, it’s not a FOB or have computer chips or any fancy stuff now-in-day’s. It’s just s simple key...didn’t they have locksmiths back in 1982?!

Sorry for the rant, but I just don’t know what else to do. Any ideas? I’ve found keys4classics website and have some blanks on the way, so there’s that, but with the responses I’m getting I will be surprised if one locksmith even attempts doing it. I’ve thought about changing out the ignition switch but I’ve learned that requires the key, too. Not to mention I would need to unhook the battery in the trunk which of course I lost the key (same ring).

I’m just at a loss of what to do next, and have hit dead end after dead end. Is my Italian love doing to sit and rust away parked in my garage????

[dinghyguy]

Locked stuff seems to be the rage this spring.....starting with hoods. Taught us all to check our emergency release cables.
I can not give you too much advice except that if you search the forum you will find how to open a locked trunk. It involves drilling a small hole behind the rear license plat in the correct location and then reaching in with a screwdriver and springing the latch.
I believe either AR or Vicks sells key blanks, but it sounds like you have that figured out.

I would bet someone else will chime in on how to remove the ignition switch without a key. So after doing that i would then take the ignition switch and my new key blank to the locksmiths.....likely better luck if you have the parts in front of them.

good luck

[Qberto]

Thanks Ding,

I somehow managed to find a guy that claims he has some blanks and can make a new one for both the ignition and the trunk (which I’ve already ordered) and says he can come out and do it...but we’ll see. As I’ve said, I must have called 30+ locksmiths, I won’t get my hopes up TOOOO high. But I’ve gone from frustrated to hopeful, which is nice.

Interesting on the popping trunk, I’ll give it gander if need be, but I have my fingers crossed on this guy coming out. It will be pricy, but it will be worth the money if I can get it done PLUS have him make me some spares. Good locksmiths are a saving grace when you need them!

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Good luck, and let us know how it works out with this latest development. One other idea, and admittedly it's a long shot: I've not found the Fiat trunk locks to be precision devices, especially when somewhat worn, and sometimes a key from another car will open the trunk lock if you jiggle it enough. Perhaps waving some chicken bones over it at the same time, with the right mutterings. So, if you can find someone who has a dozen or so old trunk keys (junk yard? Fiat club?), you might find one that would open the trunk. I doubt this would work on the ignition lock, though.

I would think a really good locksmith could pick your locks for you, but I'm guessing that it just isn't worth their time these days and the challenge (as you found) is finding someone who makes house calls. Once you get the locks out, though, you're still facing the task of making a new key but without the old key as a template, and again, I would think an industrious locksmith could do this. Or, just buy a new ignition switch assembly with new keys, and the same with the trunk and door locks.

-Bryan

[SteinOnkel]

I would try a set of auto jiggler/tryout keys.

[maxdog]

I had a similar problem when I rebuilt an old British 1949 Rover car in Washington DC . The locksmiths all got spooked by the fact that the locks were old British locks and gave the " no parts , never seen them , don't want to know " response
So I stripped the lock barrels and simply took the cylinders into the shop and asked for keys to be made for them . Stripped of the old Rover context it became a challenge for a craftsman . He found that key blanks for a Caterpillar digger worked , reset the plungers in the barrels to make 3 sets of ignition , door and trunk keys .
Maxdog

[spider2081]

The glove box lock, the doors and the trunk all use the same key. Bring the glove box door to a locksmith and they shouod be able to make a key.
The steering column us not too difficult to remove with the ignition switch installed. Electrically there are 2 connectors to unplug and its free of the car. Some ignition switches have the key number stamped under the shinny face that has Sipea stamped into it. Some other have a small round tag located below the electrical portion of the switch. You have to remove the round retaining ring from the back of the switch assembly to pull the electrical section out of the mechanical section. Thhis can be done with the ignition switch still in the steering column. A locksmith that has a computerized key cutter and the correct blank should be able to make a key from the key number. I like to bring the ignition switch to the locksmith so they can make sure the blank fits the lock properly before cutting.

[Qberto]

Wow great responses! Wasn’t expecting such support. You guys are great.

2081, nice idea about taking out the glove door and steering column. They quoted me a big number for a house call and said if I could get it to them it would be a lot cheaper, didn’t think of taking off the whole column though, I will definitely think about doing this when I get back to town!

Stay tuned for the next episode!

[Qberto]

DONE!!!

Finally found a guy that was willing and able to try it. I ended up taking out the steering column and glove door like mentioned above. Keys worked perfectly.

And yes I had some extra spares made! Still wish I knew where my originals went though...weren’t in the trunk, but at least I got what I need! Big thank you to everyone that commented. This forum for this car is second to none.

[tima01864]

Who would of thought to do that?