Ignition: Ignition switch lock removal

[SuperHawk]

I've got a few decent looking ignition switches for late models laying around, but they have the locks in them and no keys. I've tried numerous late model Stude ignition keys to try to get the locks to turn, but no luck.

Anyone know of a way to get the lock out of the ignition switch without a key and without damaging the switch?

Larry

[StudeRich]

You will have to have a Locksmith "Key" these Locks or drill the Tumblers out destroying the Locks, but saving the Expensive part: the Switch.

The Ign. and Door Locks are 5 Tumbler locks and cannot be opened with a close key and there are thousands of combinations, so I never even try to open one with another Car's Key, it COULD happen but is super rare with Factory Locks.

The 4 Tumbler Trunk & Glove Box Locks are a different story, they have about a one in four chance of opening with the wrong key, they're super EASY.

[dpson]

If I remember correctly (not always the case) , someone posted on the Forum years ago about a way to release the lock cylinder without having the key. It involves drilling a hole in the switch housing at the location of the retaining pin and pressing the pin with a thin wire, such as a paper clip, to release the lock. The challenge is figuring out where the pin is located. If done correctly it does no harm to the switch housing other than providing access to the retaining pin without the key. Perhaps someone who has done this before could chime in.

[TWChamp]

A locksmith showed me his trick several years ago. He has a very thin piece of metal that he can slide down past the tumblers, as he uses a pick to lift the pins up and down. Once he gets past the last pin, then the lock can be pulled out. Now, where to find that very thin but strong curved piece of metal?

Maybe a piece of an old thin pocket tape measure would work.

[rkapteyn]

If you have the production order from your car , look up the key number and I have hundreds of numbered keys.
I possibly have a key with that number.
Robert Kapteyn
studebaker@mac.com

[StudeRich]

If I remember correctly (not always the case) , someone posted on the Forum years ago about a way to release the lock cylinder without having the key. It involves drilling a hole in the switch housing at the location of the retaining pin and pressing the pin with a thin wire, such as a paper clip, to release the lock. The challenge is figuring out where the pin is located. If done correctly it does no harm to the switch housing other than providing access to the retaining pin without the key. Perhaps someone who has done this before could chime in.

I think maybe what you did Dan is remember TWO different processes and mixed them up.

1) On lock Housings like the Ign. Switch that have a small Brass "Pin" on the side you use a paper clip or very small Drift punch to press it with the Key in the Lock to release the Lock Cylinder from the Housing (Switch).

2) Process TWO is on the Late Door Locks '63-'66, if you need to re-key the Lock by changing the Tumblers this type does not have the little tin rectangular "Door" you can pry off like the Early Hurd and Yale Locks do.
You must DRILL in exactly the RIGHT place to release the Cyl. from it's shell to get into the Tumblers, a Very tricky process.

These Door Locks can be identified by the fact that they have the Built-in Water/Dust Door that automatically opens by inserting a Key.

[dpson]

Rich you're right about the removal of the ignition switch lock cylinder, perhaps I was remembering a technique used to remove a trunk lock cylinder from the housing from circa 1950/52 cars. Anyway I found a used ignition switch and now recall that in order to depress the pin to allow the lock to be removed you need the key to be in the "on" position, otherwise the pin can not be fully depressed. In searching the Forum I found a thread from several years ago that discusses one way to remove the lock cylinder without the key is to use a Dremel tool to carefully grind away the pin. Attached are some photos of the housing with the lock installed and photos of the lock cylinder removed showing the pin. Also included is a photo of a switch housing that has been ruined by trying to force out the lock cylinder without depressing or grinding away the pin. Hope this helps.