Ken,

Your door key should be the same as your ignition key. If this is not the case, it only means that one of them has been changed. This would not be unusual for a vehicle that is almost 90 years old. The door handle will have a code stamped into its base. Removal is simple. Open the door and look for a small (1/4 inch, or so) hole, in line with the shaft of the handle. Operate the handle and watch for a slot head screw to appear in the small hole. Remove the screw and the handle can be withdrawn to reveal the key code.

Your locksmith should be able to cut a key from this code. He should also be able to re-code your ignition cylinder to match the door code so that you have only 2 keys to carry, as was the case when the car was new. One for ignition/door, one for trunk/glovebox.

Feel free to call me if you need clarification on any of this. 573 864 6539

Mike Russell

Posted by: @35mike

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Operate the handle and watch for a slot head screw to appear in the small hole. Remove the screw and the handle can be withdrawn to reveal the key code.

 

Don't lose the screw. Replacements are often not available and they're not standard screws.

@35mike Thanks Mike, wish I had known that before I started.  It took me all of about 5 minutes to remove both the door and trunk handles.  Each have different codes of course!  My locksmith says that the ignition key is separate and the glove box, door and trunk are the same as per their information.  I don't really care so long as they all work and I only need 2 keys.

Ken

@ken-albers 

Hi Mike

I'm no expert on 36's, but I believe Mike is correct in that the ignition and door keys should be the same, and the glove box and trunk should be the same.

I think this was done so the ignition/door key could be given to a mechanic or valet, while keeping the glove box and trunk inaccessible to anyone but yourself.

But I could of course be wrong.  🙂

Posted by: @ken-albers

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 My locksmith says that the ignition key is separate and the glove box, door and trunk are the same as per their information.

Ken

Your locksmith is wrong, at least as far as Chevy is concerned. Ignition and door are the same key.

Ken,

Tiny is right and Ole is spot-on. Door and ignition match so an authorized person can drive and lock but not have access to the glove box and trunk where your guns, drugs, drug money and the bodies of your rivals are safely stored. Well, that's just me. I don't know what you guys keep in your trunk and glove box.

Mike

@35mike 🤣 

Ken

It's been quite a while, but I finally got my door lock situation figured out.  I was trying to work the lock with the handle out of the car.  Once I put it in, everything worked as you fellows stated.  My only issue now is that none of the keys interchange, but I can live with that.

Thanks for the help

Ken

@ken-albers So Ken, You have 4 different keys for your car? One for each location.

A competent locksmith could re-code your ignition switch to match your door code. And since he would be able to charge you some exorbitant amount to do this, even though it would only take him about 15 minutes, he is risking a harsh reprimand from the Locksmiths Association, should they find out.

Back in the 1980s, I had some keys cut from the code for one of my old cars. The guy charged me $17.00 for 2 keys. I complained and his reply was that the machine was very expensive. I told him it was the same machine since 1935. If he hadn't managed to pay for it 50 years, I didn't think it was my responsibility to pay it off for him. He failed to understand my logic and did not reduce the price and I never went back. A short time later I acquired a key code cutter of my own. After about 5 minutes, I figured out how to use it and I have been code cutting keys for myself and others since. I do not have a key duplicating machine so I still have this work done at key shop or hardware store.

Mike