johnnyispy Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 (edited) Hello All, I have a 1998 Subaru Legacy Wagon and 2 days ago I broke the key off in the lock because the lock became frozen. The crazy thing about it is that i just put the key and did not even turn it hard and it just snapped without any pressure. I stood three in amazement because it was not very cold and just a few degrees below freezing. The problem is I live in a resort region and the closest Subaru bay is at least 100 kms away. I talked to the Locksmith here today who was down with the flu on the day it happen and there is only one Locksmith in the entire valley which is a scary thought. I saw this video online of how to hot wire your car and decided to share it here to see if it would be this easy to hot wire a Legacy of that year. In the spring I was planning to put new doors and a hatch back on the beast as it is a project car and I have rebuilt everything except for the remaining body work to completely restore her before she becomes a classic. The Locksmith told me he would at her today when I talked to him over the phone however he never called back so being that she is parked in a drugstore parking lot i really need to move her before she gets vandalized or towed away which will be yet a even bigger expense to cure. Looking at the below video does any one know if it would be this easy to hot wire my car and drive her back to my place until I can drive her into my selected Mechanic that does all my work for me.... I really do appreciate all your help because I have replaced almost everything on the car and really don't want the expense of fishing her out of the pound. Kind Regards and Happy New Year! Johnny Edited January 5, 2014 by johnnyispy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rxleone Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 I'm not sure about EJ-powered cars, but on the old EA82s you used to be able to start them with a screwdriver - the key barrel and ignition could be seperated. I'd take the plastic shroud off around the ignition and see if this is a possibilty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
presslab Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 First, make sure the drugstore manager knows your plight, I'm sure they'll cut you some slack. The electrical hot-wiring is easy. No need to cut the wires though, just unplug the ignition switch and use jumper wires. The problem is in the steering lock. There's a fair amount of stuff you'll need to disassemble to get this apart, I doubt you can just stick a screwdriver in it to disable the steering lock. You could just break the steering lock but it would be cheaper just to get a tow than to fix that mess. If you do get a tow, make sure they flatbed, use wheel dollys, or remove the driveline to keep from damaging the AWD. And to state the obvious, once you get a new key cut by code, make a couple spares. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 Keep after a locksmith. Try AAA even if you are not a member they can recomend a lock smith. You will still have to pay for the call, but it will solve the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyispy Posted January 5, 2014 Author Share Posted January 5, 2014 (edited) towing company wants $400.00 so we will wait until the dealer opens on Monday and have a key cut... thanks for your advice - it's a resort and they are real expensive... What is the average cost of getting the key cut by code? They use the auto's vin, I think I read somewhere on here. I just hope the GM dealership that sells Subaru can do it or I will have to have one sent out from Calgary. Thanks for all your help - everyone here rocks every time i have a problem - great community! I love Subaru Owners they are so passionate about the their vehicles! Edited January 5, 2014 by johnnyispy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 Couple of suggestions a AAA membership. Before each winter treat the door locks with a graphite lock lubricant Hold the key in your hand for a minute before attempting to unlock a door or hatch cylinder. Good luck, dont freeze 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyispy Posted January 5, 2014 Author Share Posted January 5, 2014 last year I went back to school and the car sat most of the winter and I had to let things like AAA slide because of schooling expenses - film school is huge expensive - most of these suggestions were on my hit list. I actually drove the car to my place of work and the key was still warm. but for some reason it was just time to break when I went to go lock her up. I was half a sleep and only had about 3.5 hours of rest under my belt so i was out of my head as i did not even need to lock her up the way i did. lessons learned for sure i was also thinking of undoing the door panel and taking the lock cylinder across the street and having them cut one at Canadian Tire but I could not find anything on here how to do this - it was a perfect break and all the key is in the lock so if I could just pull the cylinder out myself i would rather go that route Thanks again everyone - you guys rock! http://facebook.com/legendsofstone 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 That would only get you in the car, and not necessarily start the car. Some cars use only a few of the tumblers on the lock cylinder for the dorr, and others for the ignition cylinder. Some use all of them. I am not sure which one it is. When I lost the keys for the Justy (89) it cost me 50.00 (AAA membership) which was extra fee and big tip as they guy was really nice. He made me two keys. It was a bit disconcerting that he could make fuly functioning keys in 20 minutes. On the justy some tumblers worked the doors, some worked the ignition switch. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyispy Posted January 5, 2014 Author Share Posted January 5, 2014 just talk to the drug store and its no worries we are looking at -30c and this girl does not have a block heater so she is going to sit anyways until we come out of this deep freeze so all is well and the panic button is now off.... thanks for all your help... Cheers, Johnny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djmark7 Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 i had a key cut by code here in usa, 7 bucks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivans imports Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 1rst thing check front page of owners warranty booklet has key # loged and good chance any Subaru key or Nissan key might fit and work I have a ring of 50 keys and within 5 I ushaly get it going hot wire will not help as stering lock will still be there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartless Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 I always have spare keys made when getting a new to me car. they break, they get lost, always good to have a back-up or 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB's93LegacyL Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 I had 2 keys cut by Subaru dealer from VIN for about $10.00 when my keys were too worn out to duplicate. I watched him cut them with a hand nipping tool that adjusted for the code numbers. Piece of cake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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