I got a nice looking electrolock switch & cable attached to the distributor along with a set of electrtolock keys stamped "c1589". When I try to turn the key it will not turn and I was wondering if when trying to turn it do you have to push it in and then turn or just turn. It doesn't work either way. I know there is a spring in there for tension. Would a little penatrating oil help loosen it up or would that damage it? I do not have it installed in the car yet. Does it have to be hooked up to the battery to work? I'm just thinking it doesn't. Never had one in my car when I bought it. Thanks.

The lock works like a normal lock.....you turn the key to the right and the lock cylinder assembly should pop out (if you have an OEM electrolock) to activate the electrolock to the "on" position. The lock cylinder is made out of pot metal and over the years the plug (that's where the key is inserted) swells making the plug unable to turn. You can try some penetrating oil to see if that helps the lock plug to turn. To either repair the electrolock or ream the lock cylinder housing and to polish the plug so that it will turn with the key, the lock cylinder must be in the "on" position to remove the lock cylinder assembly from the electrolock.

The lock cylinder is mechanical and it doesn't require any current to work.

When I insert the key I can push the plug in and out but will not turn. It is flush and then goes in when I push on the key. Turns back and forth a wee bit so it isn't swelled. Can you take the key out when it is in the "on" postion? Also, when it is in the "on" position, do you have to push it in to turn it off? Tried both keys with no results.

If the plug is moving then it sounds like you have the wrong key.

If the key or the lock is not badly worn the key will not come out in the unlocked position. If there is wear then the key can come out in the unlocked position.

Yes, the lock cylinder has to be pushed in to turn off the electrolock. In is "off" and out is "on".

Thanks Dawg, I was thinking maybe I had the wrong keys but when I picked up the motor it was the only car he had and he was putting a V/8 in it. Will write him and see if he tried it at all to see if it worked. If they are the wrong keys is there keys, any way I can get a set made or not? It is a '31 motor. Thanks.

Take the electrolock to a "qualified" locksmith that knows what he is doing (ya, I know.....not many of those dudes exist anymore) and he can impression a key blank and then cut the key to unlock the electrolock. Once the lock cylinder is removed there is a code number stamped on the side of the lock cylinder housing that he can use to cut more keys.

Hi Jerry,

Yes, you can have keys made for the lock. JunkYardDog has a great lock smith that I put him on to.

Bruce

OK. Thanks guys. I was hoping to get an impression made locally to see if I have the right keys. Then go from there.

Jerry,
Those locks can easily be "picked". If the locksmith takes out a drill then take back the cylinder. As the dog says very few people understand how these work. Just because the cylinder moves in and out or turn a bit does not mean that the internal cylinder is rotating. There are actually two cylinders on with the key slot and "tumblers" and then a second one that surrounds that one. Both are inside a steel cylinder that is the outside of the electrolock. Both internal cylinders must move independently for the lock to be saved or rebuilt. There are a couple of VCCA members who understand electrolocks and can repair them (if repairable). I will PM you with their names.

Man, ain't that the truth! I have seen dozens of electrolocks with a hole (or several) drilled into the housing by some energetic so-called "locksmith" in an attempt to remove the lock cylinder...and nothing was accomplished except for a damaged electrolock!

Me too! Have seen several that the drill happy locksmith ruined. That is why I wrote that in the first place.

Cool! Have you ever seen an electrolock after a "locksmith" tried to remove the lock cylinder with a hacksaw? Totally unbelievable!!!

I agree that those locks are very easy to pick. Also, if you have a few keys laying around one of them could be used to pickit, or may even work!
If you get it so it starts to slide push in the brass button, cup the unit in the palm of your hand and slowely pull out the cylinder. You will see a number on the side of the cylinder. That is a code number. A locksmith will need an old GM code book to cut a new key. There are not many old code books left.

Good luck.

I have about 1/2 of the B&S series C 1500 to C 1700 original keys for '29-'32 electrolocks. Seems that everyone that someone sends me to fix does not use a key code that I already have. So I get to pick the lock and remove the cylinder to get the number. Then I go to my code book for the code. Sure wish I had a code key cutter so I would not need to get the locksmith to cut a key. The price of the key is not too bad but the gas to get there is going up every day.

Hey Chipper, I assume you mean Briggs & Straton by "B&S". I'm in contact with a younger guy that's a safecracker by trade. (8 National championships!) He inherited many old code books from his locksmith Father-in-law who started him off way back when. I'll ask him if he still has some of those old code books. I know he still has a couple of the older hand held punch machines to cut the old style keys. I used them myself when I worked with him for a short time. You have me also hoping that he still has the box loads of used keys and new blanks that were in his father-in-laws shop. I'll check for ya.

Sorry for the B&S. Yes it is Briggs & Stratton or BASCO. I am not even close to the safecracker status. Have a few tools and enough knowledge to be dangerous. Had a lock recently that had very little wear and it took a bit longer than usual to get picked. Was beginning to think I had lost my touch. Sure would like to get a key duplicating machine and code punch cutter. Then all I would need is a code reading tool and I would not even need to pick them to get the key code.

My local "locksmith" has the machine and all of the codes clear back into the 1920's. However, he gets 6 arms and 7 legs to pick a lock and code cut a key, so I no longer go to him for the service.

Hey Skip,

What about my friend that just did the 29 lock? He would do it.

Bruce