subie94 Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 maybe about a yr ago i had a key cut for my 94 legacy(spare sti key) when i got it,it was rough useing it.it'd work ok on drivers door an ignition but when it came to pass an tailgate lock,it'd give me problems(not want to turn or go in smoothly)so i mainly use it in emergencys well to make a long story short,i had to have some copys made do to the fact that the original broke while unlocking the leg and now i'm dealing with the problems all over again an don't have a properly working key to fall back on. now,could it be the fact that the locks are worn down and no quite matching with the new an old(sti) keys? or could the sti key actually been cut a'lil off and is there a way of fixing it like doing some mild filing.. as of right now,i cringe when i go to unlock the car cuz i'm worried about having the key brake off in the lock.already had it happen with the old key(luckly was able to pull out piece that broke off) anyone every have the same problem and if so,how'd you deal with it. maybe some dry graphite? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OB99W Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 maybe about a yr ago i had a key cut for my 94 legacy(spare sti key)when i got it,it was rough useing it.it'd work ok on drivers door an ignition but when it came to pass an tailgate lock,it'd give me problems(not want to turn or go in smoothly)so i mainly use it in emergencys [...] now,could it be the fact that the locks are worn down and no quite matching with the new an old(sti) keys? or could the sti key actually been cut a'lil off and is there a way of fixing it like doing some mild filing.. Lock cylinders get a bit "sloppy" with use; therefore, the sloppiest ones tend to be the driver's door and ignition. Since the cut key works okay on what are probably the "sloppy" locks, but not the "tight" ones, it's likely that the key wasn't cut correctly or cleanly. It would seem that if nothing is obvious when looking at the key, filing is not the answer (how would you know what to file?). I'd suggest going to a dealer who has the correct key blank and have another key cut using key number if you have it (or can get it from a lock cylinder; may have to pull a door panel), or perhaps by VIN info. Make sure the new key is deburred before using it in any locks, as you don't want pieces of metal from the key lodging in the lock cylinders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subie94 Posted August 23, 2006 Author Share Posted August 23, 2006 Lock cylinders get a bit "sloppy" with use; therefore, the sloppiest ones tend to be the driver's door and ignition. Since the cut key works okay on what are probably the "sloppy" locks, but not the "tight" ones, it's likely that the key wasn't cut correctly or cleanly. It would seem that if nothing is obvious when looking at the key, filing is not the answer (how would you know what to file?). I'd suggest going to a dealer who has the correct key blank and have another key cut using key number if you have it (or can get it from a lock cylinder; may have to pull a door panel), or perhaps by VIN info. Make sure the new key is deburred before using it in any locks, as you don't want pieces of metal from the key lodging in the lock cylinders. the original and the vin cut did look different,but i just thought that it was due to the fact that the original was old an worned down.i have several spares,maybe i'll try a'lil filing and see how it works out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manarius Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 I had a key cut for my car back in December. I used a standard Subaru (OEM) key. The vin cut was well done, but it took a few uses to get the key to go in and out of the lock as smoothly as my original key. I don't know how you broke that key off in the lock - I've never seen a key break in a lock. Maybe you need to lube up your locks a little bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edrach Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 Your original VIN cut key was improperly done; get another made and make sure it works properly before making copies. Also, use some tri-flow lubricant on all your locks; sounds like they need it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subeman90 Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 ^^^^ Bingo! i bet they made you a copy at the dealer of the "valet" key and not the "normal" key. The valet key has only certain doors it will open etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
otis Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 as of right now,i cringe when i go to unlock the car cuz i'm worried about having the key brake off in the lock.already had it happen with the old key(luckly was able to pull out piece that broke off) Do you still have the broken piece?? I used to cut keys and we were able to make duplicates from the broken fragment- assuming it isn't mangled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subie94 Posted August 23, 2006 Author Share Posted August 23, 2006 Do you still have the broken piece?? I used to cut keys and we were able to make duplicates from the broken fragment- assuming it isn't mangled. unfortunately i don't have them.didn't even think to save them. I don't know how you broke that key off in the lock - I've never seen a key break in a lock. Maybe you need to lube up your locks a little bit. i just wasn't paying attention and didn't have the key in all the way and then twisted..snapped at a skinny spot in the key. i gave a soob dealer a call and i can have another key cut for $6 bucks..just gotta drive acouple towns over.(40-50 min drive) i explained to them how i had an sti key cut from vin and he said something about how the door locks are different in the newer model soobs and that is why i have to wiggle the key to open the gate and unlock the doors but no problems with the ignition cause that didn't change..(if that makes sence) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericem Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 That sucks, but my locks did the same thing so i just sprayed some lubricant in the hold for ignition and the drive and passenger door, now there are no problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subie94 Posted August 23, 2006 Author Share Posted August 23, 2006 That sucks, but my locks did the same thing so i just sprayed some lubricant in the hold for ignition and the drive and passenger door, now there are no problems. did you use dry graphite? or something like white litium grease? only thing that sucks is that previous owner covered both front doors with dynamat and i'll have to uncover the sticky mess.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericem Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 No i mean i sprayed it in the keep hole with the little straw. You dont need to remove the door panel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 be glad you drive a subaru, my 90 nissan pickup does not unlock from the outside. the passenger door went firsat several years ago. don't ask me how, the least used lock broke first. recently the driver door lock qiit. i can manually lock them from the inside, but i need a slim jim to unlock the m from the out side. you should see the notes i leave in the truck when i take it to the shop for annual inspection. "DO NOT LOCK THE DOORS"!!!!! go subaru!! No i mean i sprayed it in the keep hole with the little straw. You dont need to remove the door panel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subie94 Posted August 23, 2006 Author Share Posted August 23, 2006 No i mean i sprayed it in the keep hole with the little straw. You dont need to remove the door panel. but,what did you use? graphite? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcspeer Posted August 24, 2006 Share Posted August 24, 2006 Graphite is what is best to use on locks, it comes in a small tube and you just clip the end and squeeze it in the key hole. Dont use it if you have sprayed oil in untill the oil dries up. but,what did you use? graphite? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericem Posted August 24, 2006 Share Posted August 24, 2006 but,what did you use? graphite? I got jigaloob grease spray, but graphite is better because it wont collect dust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted August 24, 2006 Share Posted August 24, 2006 i used to use a liquid graphite, powder graphite suspended in an oil solution. it got the graphite everywhere, and then the oil dried up. I got jigaloob grease spray, but graphite is better because it wont collect dust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subie94 Posted September 8, 2006 Author Share Posted September 8, 2006 not to awaken an old thread but...here's an update. finally got around to getting a new key cut via vin and works a heck of alot better then the vin cut sti key i have..works on all the locks. compared the two together an there's a big difference in how the cut is.alot finer cuts on the new compared to what looks like just chunks cut off sti key (if that makes sence) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edrach Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 not to awaken an old thread but...here's an update. finally got around to getting a new key cut via vin and works a heck of alot better then the vin cut sti key i have..works on all the locks. compared the two together an there's a big difference in how the cut is.alot finer cuts on the new compared to what looks like just chunks cut off sti key (if that makes sence) Looks like the original was not properly cut. Glad it was resolved for you and thanks for posting a resolution. By the way, the locksmith I go to swears by Tri-flow lubricant rather than the graphite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subie94 Posted September 9, 2006 Author Share Posted September 9, 2006 Looks like the original was not properly cut. Glad it was resolved for you and thanks for posting a resolution. By the way, the locksmith I go to swears by Tri-flow lubricant rather than the graphite. i'll see if i can find tri-flow and give it a try.locks may still need some lubing.. oh btw-key only cost me $4.75(was quoted $6 over the phone) and i got a complimentary (blue)travel mug with the dealerships name on it..(they usually sell them for $5,must of had extras) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaltCar Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 My hatch lock was corroded inside and I had to take it out and take it apart to free it up. I thought I had key problems at first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manarius Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 Those STi keys aren't like the standard OEM keys. They work in the Legacy's, but they aren't the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zstalker Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 do you (or anyone) happen to know exactly what the difference is? I was looking at all the key blanks we have (Subaru dealer), they all have exactly the same shank shape, grooves the same places, etc. I was going to get one that looked like it would work for mine (1991 Legacy) and get one cut from the VIN, but our parts department manager said that a key for a different Subaru won't work for mine...why else would they have so many different-looking ones? honestly, I really don't trust anything he says about parts (he's just a desk-jockey), but it made me want to be sure. will any other Subaru key work for my Legacy? ~Erik~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 my 90 nissan pickup and my 95 & 97 legacys use the exact same key blank and ignition key way. you can actually swap the nissan ignition keyway into the subaru, they must buy them from the same source. i am currently using a cut key that says nissan on it to operate my 97 OBW. and i have had my ignition keyway and door keyway re-keyed to match my nissan truck. now one key fits both vehicles. you can get a blank from any one who cuts keys, if it fits into the keyway, it can be cut to work. if you go to a lock smith you may pay a dollar more for the key, but he will make sure the key fits before and after he cuts it. i once watched a locksmith cut a key by hand with a file, you can't beat someone who knows their job. some of what the dealer parts guy may be saying is that the 91 had a different part number, different shape/type head, the part you hold. and as you say he may not have any practical experience. or the 91 may in fact have a different keyway, but this is the first i've heard of it. i have never seen a loyale or brat key so i have no idea if they are the same or different, but it would be unusual for subaru to redesign the guts in the steering column in mid-model. but not impossible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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