Trouble Getting Master Key Code-Ideas?

[four-fleet-feet]

Here's the short of it: I have a mangled front pax door handle and key tumbler from an unsuccessful theft attempt. Done before I bought Dragon.

 

I found a handle/lock cylinder at the local j/y and thought I'd just have it rekeyed by a locksmith to match the other locks. Wrong! I don't have an original Subaru Master or Submaster key for either my car OR the j/y lock.

 

Went to 2 dealers and neither could find the code by VIN. Even they don't know why it's not on the system. No locksmith wants to rekey from a copy of a copy of the master key, which is all I have. The original tumbler has internal damage, so we can't just swap the guts out. My attempts to reach the previous owner have so far been unsuccessful - she said she MIGHT have another key but didn't know where it was, and hasn't called me back.

 

Although I had a maintenance schedule in the glovebox, the original selling info from the original dealer is not filled in. Does ANYONE know where we might look on the car itself for the code (97 Impreza 2.2 Wagon, made 4/97)? We were told it would be on the pax lock cylinder, but nothing's there, not even on the j/y replacement (off a 95 WRX).

 

And, as an aside, I guess I'm not leaving for Arizona on Wednesday - there's an open recall on my car for some front boots going into the transmission (can't remember what the work order called it). It's free, but I can't pack if it's sitting at a dealer...

[Subie Gal]

pm me your vin and let me take a look for you?

(i work for Subaru)

 

 

 

also, key codes should be (no guarantees) on the lock/lock cylinder themselves

 

trick is, i cannot remember if it was driver side (likely) or pass side

 

Jamie

[Gloyale]

Does ANYONE know where we might look on the car itself for the code (97 Impreza 2.2 Wagon, made 4/97)? We were told it would be on the pax lock cylinder, but nothing's there, not even on the j/y replacement (off a 95 WRX).

 

WRX??? Not offered here in 95. either not a 95, or not a wrx

 

there's an open recall on my car for some front boots going into the transmission (can't remember what the work order called it)

 

Recall on a 10 year old car???? We should all know about this, but I haven't heard anything about it. What is the source?

 

 

I found a handle/lock cylinder at the local j/y and thought I'd just have it rekeyed by a locksmith to match the other locks. Wrong! I don't have an original Subaru Master or Submaster key for either my car OR the j/y lock.

 

Remove the drivers, or better the trunk(less worn) lock and have a key made to match it's tumblers. Have the new cylindered keyed to match.

[edrach]

If you still have the passenger side lock assembly, the key code is stamped into the outside of the assembly. It'll take you 15 minutes to pull and look at it; 5 minutes without pulling it with a flashlight and mirror. Good luck.

[four-fleet-feet]

Sent!

 

Maybe we'll pull the driver's side one at the j/y to see before we mess up Dragon's one working door lock. If we toast the driver's one I won't be able to get in!

 

(I am SO not crawling through from the hatch!)

[four-fleet-feet]

WRX??? Not offered here in 95. either not a 95, or not a wrx

 

Recall on a 10 year old car???? We should all know about this, but I haven't heard anything about it. What is the source?

 

Remove the drivers, or better the trunk(less worn) lock and have a key made to match it's tumblers. Have the new cylindered keyed to match.

Need to check that it was a WRX - I as*-u-me'd. All I know is the door handle's a match. It was the electric blue with the spoiler in the back and what looked like Imp seats. It's stacked on top of a Legacy - I couldn't get up to it but aircraft-engineer did.

 

The recall printout is from a dealer in Tacoma, WA, listed in 98 but never done. They ran a full VIN check while trying to find the key code. Since it's still an open recall, they'll do it for free. I just wonder why Puyallup Subaru didn't tell me (or do it) during the safety/diagnosis they did a month ago.

 

I'm having trouble finding a locksmith who will use one of the undamaged tumblers and making a key of any type, let alone rekeying the new tumbler. Something having to do with liability and the finicky Subaru tumblers, I'm told. Everyone I've called wants a master key, which I don't have!

[four-fleet-feet]

If you still have the passenger side lock assembly, the key code is stamped into the outside of the assembly. It'll take you 15 minutes to pull and look at it; 5 minutes without pulling it with a flashlight and mirror. Good luck.

We've looked at the entire lock we removed from the junker. Nothing. Any specific location we should be looking? The door itself had been untouched before we ripped into it, so it was all there.

 

Honestly, if the j/y had a master key for the car (this one doesn't), I'd have already ripped out the driver door lock, ignition lock, and trunk lock. For $40 the aggravation would already be OVER save for plopping them in.

[gbianchi]

Not sure if this will help you out but,Anyone with a dead 90-94 legacy have their door lock die(as in just turns but does nothing). Well heres the deal, the arm at the end that does the work has broken off the tumbler, ya bummer. Its not all bad news, if you can find a junkyard replacement you "CAN" replace the tabs in the tumbler with your tabs. This is not an "EASY" thing so proceed with caution, just getting the lever out of the door is not fun (reinstalling is even less) but then it gets easier, after you have it out you get to tear into the tumbler, take it in the house and make yourself comfy. I should note here that it has to be the same side of the car, remove the broken tumbler from the lever, remove the jy tumbler form that lever. Lay them side by side and compare and plan, now take the broken 1 apart down to just the guts, put your key in and you'll see that the key makes all the little tabs line up flush with the housing. Still with me? O.K now tear the jy tumbler down to its guts, put your key in and you'll notice that some tabs don't line up flush, they might if so YAY. If they don't, pull out the key and you'll see that they spring out a little, what you need to do is swap out the ones that did not line up flush. I should note that I got a little confused for a time during this "operation"! O K back to the fun, the tabs can be pushed out from the side that they are fush with a small screwdriver, you need to change the ones that did not lay flush with the key in the tumbler, change those and check your key if they lay flush your good to test. Place the tumbler with your key back in the housing and give it a turn, should work, if not check it for flushness again, if its close your almost done. I had to do a small bit of filing on the tabs to get it just right.

Now just reassemble the lever and get it back in the door(this part sucks) and reassemble the door and go get some tylenol and go take a nap! Hope this helps someone out. G

[edrach]

Sent!

 

Maybe we'll pull the driver's side one at the j/y to see before we mess up Dragon's one working door lock. If we toast the driver's one I won't be able to get in!

 

(I am SO not crawling through from the hatch!)

Go to a wrecking yard and pull the passenger side to see how it's done. There is no key code on the driver's side.

[Olnick]

Now THAT takes some dedication. Way to go, gbianchi!

[edrach]

Sent!

 

Maybe we'll pull the driver's side one at the j/y to see before we mess up Dragon's one working door lock. If we toast the driver's one I won't be able to get in!

 

(I am SO not crawling through from the hatch!)

I just realized you're local. Try the Locksmith in Redmond on the main drag. I'll try to get you a name and address, but if you take 520 into Redmond and get off at the Redmond/Fall City exit (just before it turns into Avondale Rd) and make a left onto the main road and go underneath 520. When it becomes one way in your direction check for the locksmith on the right hand side (less than 1/2 mile). They have always been right up front with me on anything I've wanted; the older Brat locks are a real pain to re-key. Good luck.

[Gloyale]

 

I'm having trouble finding a locksmith who will use one of the undamaged tumblers and making a key of any type, let alone rekeying the new tumbler. Something having to do with liability and the finicky Subaru tumblers, I'm told. Everyone I've called wants a master key, which I don't have!

 

There just trying to brush you off. A GOOD locksmith should be able to do it for you. Find a good ole boy, look into places that do alot of Security Safes.

 

I know a great one who would do it, but he's in Wisconsin.

[edrach]

Here it is:

Lockworks

16510 Redmond Way

Redmond, WA 98052-4447

(425) 883-3334

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[aircraft engineer]

Redmond is a bit far for us (closer to Tacoma, near Puyallup)

 

I have the JY cylinder out and there are NO stamped codes on the lock cyl (anywhere) - and I know what it should look like - it was what was on my Toyota pick-em-up when I had to pull the cyl to get a new ignition key.

 

Pulled pax side out of the JY car - NUTTIN' THERE.

[aircraft engineer]

that 10 year old recall was from 1999 and Sub has no indication that it was ever done on this car.

[four-fleet-feet]

Edrach, thanks for the tip. However, aircraft-engineer's in the south end, so he figured it would waste gas to go across the lake and down. Thanks anyway.

 

I found a locksmith wizard: Milo's Locksmith in Puyallup, 121 E. Main, (253)848-8646. All he did was look at my non-Subaru-made key, write down a string of numbers, send his younger guy into the back to cut a computerized key, and grin at my disbelief. Then he figured out my keycode without even looking at the car! I can pick up my rekeyed lock in 15 minutes.

 

$26.50 for the rekey, $4.50 for the master, code and astonishment=no charge.

 

If you need lock work done, he's the best! Puyallup Subaru told me 'if he can't do it, it can't be done.' He does all the work for the Puyallup car dealers and insurance agents. He's a Certified Master Locksmith. :banana:

[edrach]

Edrach, thanks for the tip. However, aircraft-engineer's in the south end, so he figured it would waste gas to go across the lake and down. Thanks anyway.

 

I found a locksmith wizard: Milo's Locksmith in Puyallup, 121 E. Main, (253)848-8646. All he did was look at my non-Subaru-made key, write down a string of numbers, send his younger guy into the back to cut a computerized key, and grin at my disbelief. Then he figured out my keycode without even looking at the car! I can pick up my rekeyed lock in 15 minutes.

 

$26.50 for the rekey, $4.50 for the master, code and astonishment=no charge.

 

If you need lock work done, he's the best! Puyallup Subaru told me 'if he can't do it, it can't be done.' He does all the work for the Puyallup car dealers and insurance agents. He's a Certified Master Locksmith. :banana:

Glad to see you got it done. I knew it was possible so I don't know why your dealer couldn't make it work. Ah well, all's well that ends well.

[four-fleet-feet]

'My dealer?' Ha. Subaru of Puyallup coudn't find their ^)^*)%$%*^&$ with a map. I've taken the parts book out of the counter guy's hands to argue he was ordering the wrong part for Dragon - right both times! I shouldn't have to do that. Their service people tried to get me to do a $1900 repair I did not need. That made me very angry - see those handicapped plates, guys? It's not between my ears.

 

Too far to Bruce Titus in Tacoma (but they're really good). If you have to get dealer service in the south end, give them a call. I hate getting to Carter, and the one in Renton means going through some nasty traffic. Never dealt with the one in Eastgate but their sales department didn't impress me.

 

As far as the keycode goes, even Subie Gal tried and came up wtih nothing (surprised her too). Now that I have the code and want it input into the system so any dealer can help me in the future, I'm being told no dealer has access to the system to add it, and I seem to be getting the runaround from SOA when I try to get THEM to do it.

 

I love my car, but I bought a used one because I just don't like going to dealers for anything but parts... not that they're going to put them in.

[johnceggleston]

sorry for all the trouble you're having with your dealer. i guess some are better than others.

 

BUT, it is always a joy to find a locksmith who can work magic. i lost my tool box key to my truck one time. went to the locksmith. he picked out a key that would fit into the lock and then proceeded to file it down while standing at the truck until he got it to fit. presto, a new key.

 

another time, 25 years ago, i locked my car keys in my datsun while it was running. called the locksmith, he used a pick, stuck it in the lock, wiggled it around and presto, it was open. he charged me 21$ (1982). he said it was 1$ to unlock the door, and 20$ for stupidity.

 

locksmiths are great.

[edrach]

'My dealer?' Ha. Subaru of Puyallup coudn't find their ^)^*)%$%*^&$ with a map. I've taken the parts book out of the counter guy's hands to argue he was ordering the wrong part for Dragon - right both times! I shouldn't have to do that. Their service people tried to get me to do a $1900 repair I did not need. That made me very angry - see those handicapped plates, guys? It's not between my ears.

 

Too far to Bruce Titus in Tacoma (but they're really good). If you have to get dealer service in the south end, give them a call. I hate getting to Carter, and the one in Renton means going through some nasty traffic. Never dealt with the one in Eastgate but their sales department didn't impress me.

 

As far as the keycode goes, even Subie Gal tried and came up wtih nothing (surprised her too). Now that I have the code and want it input into the system so any dealer can help me in the future, I'm being told no dealer has access to the system to add it, and I seem to be getting the runaround from SOA when I try to get THEM to do it.

 

I love my car, but I bought a used one because I just don't like going to dealers for anything but parts... not that they're going to put them in.

I'm not sure where you're located now, but I can suggest Pacific Import Auto in the south end or Smart Service in the north end for service work. You'll find both of them more knowledgeable than your average (or above average) dealer.

[idosubaru]

As far as the keycode goes, even Subie Gal tried and came up wtih nothing

she's looking at the same information as the rest of them, it was never entered at the time of sale.

 

Now that I have the code and want it input into the system so any dealer can help me in the future, I'm being told no dealer has access to the system to add it, and I seem to be getting the runaround from SOA when I try to get THEM to do it.

that's not all that surprising that they won't update that information. there's any number of explanations from software to company regulations. the addage "stupid rules come from stupid people" probably applies. all it takes is someone changing or manipulating one thing to change company procedures.

 

write it down in a few places and store it on your computer, email yourself, wallet...there's better options than relying on the dealer. they have limited hours and then your key code is technically available to anyone. i've walked in with no proof of anything and they've cut a key for me before...even for cars that weren't technically mine yet. not that anything would really happen, but there's really no added value from the dealer having the code.