I want my ignition key to work on my door locks to eliminate one key. Ignition is an A key. Door locks are an E key. Can a locksmith make the door locks work on the same key or do I need door locks that accept an A key?
I just purchased a new set and asked for a set with an A key, was told "no problem " and received an E key set. Do I send them back?

 

My 69 442 key works fine for both ign switch and doors. 2nd key for trunk

 

What year is your car?

 

No. You need to have all three cylinders that accept the same key blank, whichever one it is.



Unless you can get the three cylinders you need in an E format (and I don't know whether they're available for your car).

- Eric

 

Starting with the 1967 model year, GM started using lock cylinders with grooves that only accepted certain key blanks. An "A" blank will not fit into an "E" cylinder, for example. This only applies to factory lock cylinders, however. Aftermarket replacement cylinders will accept any key blank. This is less secure but less costly (ie, higher profit) for the repro companies.

Your options are to 1) change the ignition lock cylinder to an "E" cyllinder, 2) change the door locks to "A" cylinders, or 3) get new generic door cylinders.

I can code the cylinders to your old key, or can provide replacement door cylinders coded to fit. PM me for more info.

 

60s and 70s GMs had the ignition key and the door key as the same, and the trunk and the glove box and the console as the other one. Later GMs had one key that did the ignition, and one key that did everything else, about the time chipped keys came in. Please tell us what year your car is so we can advise you correctly.


The original idea was that you could lock stuff in the compartments, and give a valet or a mechanic a key to run the car and lock and unlock the doors, yet he couldn't get into the trunk.


The second idea was that the chipped key was special for the ignition, and the other key did everything else.


Now, one key does all.


Interesting read. http://www.nytimes.com/1992/12/29/bu...-unwanted.html

 

Starting in the 1967 model year, the ignition/door used an "A" cylinder/key and the glove box/trunk used a "B" cylinder/key. '68 used "C" & "D", '69 used "E" & "H", and '70 used "J" & "K". The cycle repeated itself starting in model year 1971.

Randy C.

 

Car is 1970. Ignition is 1971. I think I have all my questions answered. Thanks.

 

I would recommend changing the ignition lock cylinder to a 1970 "E" cylinder. It's also the easiest thing to change.

 

My 442 is a 69. After reading Eric and Joe's post , I have to assume that one of the previous owners has replaced one or the other lock cylinders

 

Definitely locksmith can made it because locksmith an emergency lockmith has made one for me.

 

send them back. I have the universal plug that excepts all key blanks and I just install proper wafers to make your key work or I can sell you the plugs and you take them to your local locksmith