I have an 86' brat and the key for the ignition does not work the glove compartment or doors.

 

One guy said he could if I got the code. Well, I got it, but he dropped off the Earth. anyone else?

Any locksmith can code-cut you a key if you have the code from the passenger door lock. Going rate here for a code cut key is about $20.

 

Keep in mind that someone may have changed the ignition lock. A good smith can re-key the ignition lock to match your door code also.

 

GD

I have the code from the door. I went to the Subaru place and they said they needed a 5 digit code that was mostly letters I Have a 4 digit code, "W123" type.

 

can the smith use that?

Call them and ask - I'm not a smith so I don't remember what the codes look like

 

GD

you ignore the first digit - it's the last 4 that a lock smith can cut from, not sure why Subaru needed the first. maybe they do need it, but a locksmith will not. call any one in the phone book and they'll be able to fire it right up. but Subaru should be able to as well.

My original key was so old & worn down it broke off in the door. A locksmith was able to remove the broken-off piece from inside the door lock and also make me a new one from my spare, no code required. Sometimes it's worth it to pay an expert.

 

Locksmith being a separate, stand-alone, full-service shop, not a person & a machine in Home Depot.

this is the problem I ran into. the subaru guys said I needed a 5 digit code, but the code I have is only 4. A letter and 3 numbers. guys at subaru said I needed another number as well. guess I'll call and see.

Sorry about the slow response. The dealer finally gave up in their search for the key maker machine they had a couple years ago.

 

I am going to order one so in the future I can simply make them here at RetroRoo in the shop.

this is the problem I ran into. the subaru guys said I needed a 5 digit code, but the code I have is only 4. A letter and 3 numbers. guys at subaru said I needed another number as well. guess I'll call and see.

 

hi, that 4 digit code was used in pre 85 series vehicles and the 85-89 brats and hatchbacks which are still the earlier series actually.

the 85 on sedans and wagons (loyales) did have a 5 digit code but as someone said the first letter was not actually used to make code cut keys.

here is the deal there are two " different blanks ", one is used for master keys, and another for valet keys. most of the masters i have dealt with have 7 cuts . they use a code book to look up your lock code and that will give them a 7 sequence of cut depths for the key.

this is the problem I ran into. the subaru guys said I needed a 5 digit code, but the code I have is only 4. A letter and 3 numbers. guys at subaru said I needed another number as well. guess I'll call and see.

 

go find an old school locksmith - not the dealer (altho they should be able to do this) or the yahoo at home depot/lowes/walmart...you want a REAL locksmith.

 

a good locksmith can make the key you are after with the code you have.

a good locksmith can make the key you are after with the code you have.

 

+1. And most good smith's can make you a key using any of the locks even without the code. I had that done recently on an '86 Mazda. The guy charged me the same $21 he charges for code-cut keys and then $3 for each copy - out the door with 3 new keys for $27.

 

And he also mentioned to me that all Japanese cars have the code on the passenger door lock (I had brought in the trunk lock).... and all Korean cars have no code stamped anywhere .

 

GD

+1. And most good smith's can make you a key using any of the locks even without the code. I had that done recently on an '86 Mazda. The guy charged me the same $21 he charges for code-cut keys and then $3 for each copy - out the door with 3 new keys for $27.

 

And he also mentioned to me that all Japanese cars have the code on the passenger door lock (I had brought in the trunk lock).... and all Korean cars have no code stamped anywhere .

 

GD

all Japanese cars have the code on the passenger door lock. so that means a RHD Subaru has it on the left door.....

I have the code from the door. I went to the Subaru place and they said they needed a 5 digit code that was mostly letters I Have a 4 digit code, "W123" type.

 

can the smith use that?

I've had numberous keys cut for many ea81 vehicles over the years with a W123 code. Your dealer just doesn't/can't do it. Find a decent locksmith that's been in business for more than 20 years and he'll get it done.

HA!! OK sure enough! Took only 3 phone calls and I found a local locksmith who can do it!

The trick is you need some one who has the OLD punch key cutter. there is no computer code for it. My dealer is new, so they can't make or find the right code.

 

You need to ask the right questions to the locksmith. He had the right key cutter and blank.

$16 to cut it. I'l run down there later and lets see if this works. I'll let you guys know. Thanks for all the help so far.

HA!! OK sure enough! Took only 3 phone calls and I found a local locksmith who can do it!

The trick is you need some one who has the OLD punch key cutter. there is no computer code for it. My dealer is new, so they can't make or find the right code.

 

You need to ask the right questions to the locksmith. He had the right key cutter and blank.

$16 to cut it. I'l run down there later and lets see if this works. I'll let you guys know. Thanks for all the help so far.

Hey, glad to see you finally got past 10 posts. Nice to know you can PM now.

HA!! OK sure enough! Took only 3 phone calls and I found a local locksmith who can do it!

The trick is you need some one who has the OLD punch key cutter. there is no computer code for it. My dealer is new, so they can't make or find the right code.

 

You need to ask the right questions to the locksmith. He had the right key cutter and blank.

$16 to cut it. I'l run down there later and lets see if this works. I'll let you guys know. Thanks for all the help so far.

 

See - Old School Locksmith can do pretty much anything!

Glad you found one to get the job done & hope it works perfectly 4 you.

Worked great! The 4 digit code worked fine and now I can lock and unlock all kinds of stuff WHOOT!!!

Worked great! The 4 digit code worked fine and now I can lock and unlock all kinds of stuff WHOOT!!!

See we told you it could be done. The nice thing about getting a key cut from the code is that it's virgin....no wear at all and you can have duplicates cut from that cheaply rather than from a 20+ year old worn key.