Backstory: For a while now, I've had an issue with my ignition cylinder getting stuck when I start the car. Normally I would jiggle it a little and it would go back to the correct position. A few weeks ago it got stuck when I started the car and I could not turn the car off. I smacked it with my flashlight and it released. Yesterday it did it again and I could not get it to release. I ended up having to pull the fuse out to get the car to shut off. I bought an AC Delco replacement ignition cylinder to install.

A long time ago, when I first bought my car, I lost the only key that I had for it. The dealership was able to cut the key based on my car's VIN. I'd like to keep the keys with the original cut if possible.

If I remember correctly, aren't there a limited number of different keys for GM vehicles of our years? The reason I ask, is that my current keys will not work on the new cylinder. Is it possible to find a replacement cylinder that my current keys would work on so that I wouldn't have to get replacement keys made? If not, do I simply take the blank that came with the cylinder to the dealership so that my VATS will still work?

 

You will get a dummy key with the cylinder that has the correct cut for the new cylinder that you will use as a template. Measure the resistance of your current key, there are only 15 possibilities. Get a new blank key with the correct resistance, and have the pattern of the dummy copied to it.

 

Here is the table to help you find the correct new key. The resistance doesn't have to be exact, just find the closest one in this table and it will be correct.

 

Let me clarify my first question: Would it be too difficult to find an ignition cylinder that my current keys already fit?

 

no replacement cylinder will fit your key. you will have to have new key made from the dummy key that came with the new cylinder. it has been a few years since i worked on a lock cylinder, possible a locksmith can recode the new cylinder to your key, but i don't think the vats system cylinder can be changed. check with your local gm parts guy.

 

Not sure about finding a cylinder for an existing key...that's *** backwards lol When you get a new cylinder they come with blank keys and you have to have them made for the cylinder.

The same thing happened to me though. The keys got stuck in the starting position and I had to buy a new cylinder. They came with blanks and I took them to GM and they charged me $50 for one key. Or I think you could just find out how many ohms the resistor is for the key and wire that into the cylinder wire and then use whatever you want.

 

You should be able to take your new ignition lock to a locksmith. The locksmith can replace the wafers in the cylinder to match you the old or any key the uses the same keyway.
GM rotated the key way each year so hopefully the dealer gave you the right cylinder with the same keyway if you plan to use your old key. The resistor in the key matches your Vats It will be cheaper if you have the cylinder out of the column when you got to the lock shop. I would call and ask for pricing to make sure it is worth it to you.
The door and hatch that use the same key are on a different key than the ignition. Personally I would not bother to spend the money since the ignition has a seperate key.
I was a lockmith for several years and bought my firebird with no door key. I had to make one or rekey the doors and hatch. Since the firebird was 88 and no Vats I made a key. When I called it was about 50 to 80 dollars to make a key if I handed the cylinder to them. Rekeying might be about the same. Your area is probably cheaper.

If you decide just to use the new keys you may want to check with the dealer to see if or how they keep track of replacement locks. Locks and keys no longer come with codes stamped on the cylinder the way they did in the 1970s.

 

Oh, and you may not have needed to replace the lock... A little lube inside the lock itself may have freed it up. Believe it or not, when I first bought the 87, ANYONE could start the car without the key . The lock never "locked" because the tumblers were frozen (didn't help the old key literally only had one little nub on it). I found some old lock lube and took care of that problem in a BIG hurry .