New keys

[LithiumCobalt]

So I never got a glovebox/trunk key from the old owner. There is a guy on Ebay that sells the OEM keys and says he can cut the keys if he has a key code or possibly the lock cylinder. So my question is, does anyone know if there is a key code engraved on the lock cylinder of the glove box or trunk. Or, can the lock cylinders be removed easily so that I could send it to him? Any advice appreciated. Thanks!

[98TC-Cartier]

Just drive down to your local locksmith, he can do it for you easily. Esp if you remove the lock from the glovebox.

[LithiumCobalt]

Just drive down to your local locksmith, he can do it for you easily. Esp if you remove the lock from the glovebox.

Yeah, but he will probably want $75 to do it. I can have this guy send me two OEM ignition and two OEM trunk keys cut properly for like $30.

[MichiganTeddyBear]

dont jump to conclusions on the pricing from the local locksmith. give em a ring, they may just surprise ya.. and call around, there are some that do more auto work than others.

[Dusty]

A dealer can probably cut one for you from the VIN number. They probably will want to make a copy of your title so they know the car is yours. The key codes are usually on some little metal tabs that are in your owners manual if they are still there.

[BillyBob TC]

Just a quick thunk here. Do you really need them/the expenses and postage? I ask because Ive owned my TC since 11/06 and I have never used any of it, except to try it out, make sure it works. Keyless entry and trunk pops, that leaves the glovebox unlocked.
Never used the valet key either. Let someone drive/park my car? Yah that will never happen LOL.
Of course if your like me there is the 'want it' thinking ;).
The 97 key is a one year, one key does all affair.
I grabbed 4 blank jewel keys from ebay too, probably from the same guy, Las Vegas I believe and like $8 each.
I already had a broken jewel and a cheap True Value key that came with the car. Both highly un-acceptable to me. Home Depot just transferred the cut to my new blanks with a bit of whining (they dont want to cut a key they didnt sell you). Plus I have 2 spare blanks for my next new 97 TC :o:).

[no0c]

So I never got a glovebox/trunk key from the old owner. There is a guy on Ebay that sells the OEM keys and says he can cut the keys if he has a key code or possibly the lock cylinder. So my question is, does anyone know if there is a key code engraved on the lock cylinder of the glove box or trunk. Or, can the lock cylinders be removed easily so that I could send it to him? Any advice appreciated. Thanks!

The guy says possibly. What does that mean? Yes or no?

No key codes on cylinders.

Have you looked at the glove box lock? It can't be that tough. FLM service manual says:

Lock Cylinder, Glove Compartment

Removal and Installation

1. Open glove compartment and remove lock cover. Remove four screws retaining lock cylinder.

2. Remove lock cylinder from glove compartment.

3. To install, reverse Removal procedure.

I agree with Bob - try a local locksmith.

Geez, pick up a phone and call a locksmith or two or three and get a quote on cutting a key to match the cylinder you take him. I bet he will beat this E-Bay guy, that can possibly cut you a key, especially when you figure the freight/postage.

[no0c]

A dealer can probably cut one for you from the VIN number. They probably will want to make a copy of your title so they know the car is yours. The key codes are usually on some little metal tabs that are in your owners manual if they are still there.

A dealer cannot cut a key from the VIN or a Vehicle Identification Number Number :eek:. FLM will not release that information for security reasons. Not hard to understand why.

But they can indeed cut a key from the codes on the metal tabs, if available, which is very rare that they are still available.

[LithiumCobalt]

Just a quick thunk here. Do you really need them/the expenses and postage? I ask because Ive owned my TC since 11/06 and I have never used any of it, except to try it out, make sure it works. Keyless entry and trunk pops, that leaves the glovebox unlocked.
Never used the valet key either. Let someone drive/park my car? Yah that will never happen LOL.
Of course if your like me there is the 'want it' thinking ;).
The 97 key is a one year, one key does all affair.
I grabbed 4 blank jewel keys from ebay too, probably from the same guy, Las Vegas I believe and like $8 each.
I already had a broken jewel and a cheap True Value key that came with the car. Both highly un-acceptable to me. Home Depot just transferred the cut to my new blanks with a bit of whining (they dont want to cut a key they didnt sell you). Plus I have 2 spare blanks for my next new 97 TC :o:).

I do have the "just want it" type of attitude also. I want the original Lincoln key set for my car. Another reason is that I am a bit worried that if the electronic trunk release ever decides to take a dump, I am SOL when it comes to getting into my trunk. Then I will be at the mercy of a locksmith. I guess I will call around, though and see what I can find. Can't hurt, I guess.

[LithiumCobalt]

The guy says possibly. What does that mean? Yes or no?

No key codes on cylinders.

Have you looked at the glove box lock? It can't be that tough. FLM service manual says:

Lock Cylinder, Glove Compartment

Removal and Installation

1. Open glove compartment and remove lock cover. Remove four screws retaining lock cylinder.

2. Remove lock cylinder from glove compartment.

3. To install, reverse Removal procedure.

I agree with Bob - try a local locksmith.

Geez, pick up a phone and call a locksmith or two or three and get a quote on cutting a key to match the cylinder you take him. I bet he will beat this E-Bay guy, that can possibly cut you a key, especially when you figure the freight/postage.

Thanks for the info. I will check the lock cylinder out. Apparently this dude claims that the tumbler pattern code will be engraved/stamped on the cylinder. So, I will pull it out and take a look. He said if he had the code he could cut the key from that.

[cason1]

I don't know about you but I don't want anyone that can cut a key with a code to know my code and my address. That info might possibly fall into the wrong hands and anything you have in your trunk is gone. I carry a full tool box with several hundred dollars of tools and an air compressor in my trunk. Those are things I don't want to have to replace just for a key.

Instead of pulling the lock cylinder out of the glove box door, just pull the whole door and take to the locksmith. IIRC it is only 4 or 5 screws that hold the door on.

[LithiumCobalt]

I don't know about you but I don't want anyone that can cut a key with a code to know my code and my address. That info might possibly fall into the wrong hands and anything you have in your trunk is gone. I carry a full tool box with several hundred dollars of tools and an air compressor in my trunk. Those are things I don't want to have to replace just for a key.

Instead of pulling the lock cylinder out of the glove box door, just pull the whole door and take to the locksmith. IIRC it is only 4 or 5 screws that hold the door on.

Well, the guy is was going to have cut me a key is about 1800 miles away. If he wants to travel to my house to get my $100 tool set out, he must be really desperate..lol But, that's a good point, if he were local, that would be a bad idea. I took out the lock assembly for the glovebox last night. I will get some OEM keys on Ebay and just take them to a local locksmith along with the lock cylinder.

[cason1]

He might be 1800 miles away but say he has an assistant with a friend or relative not too far away. He goes to visit and has a spare key to your trunk or he mails one to the shady character that does live near you. Might be a stretch but I wouldn't risk it. The local locksmith is almost certainly your best bet.

[BillyBob TC]

He might be 1800 miles away but say he has an assistant with a friend or relative not too far away. He goes to visit and has a spare key to your trunk or he mails one to the shady character that does live near you. Might be a stretch but I wouldn't risk it. The local locksmith is almost certainly your best bet.
Not a stretch at all in this world. I do believe any reputable locksmith must be bonded as well. Best to deal with that.
You think one little key is a problem? I near hurled a few weeks back. Guy on ebay was selling a real nice 1988TC, had TWO extreme close up pics of the owners manual/portfolio. There shown, the credit card w/master keyless entry code for all of ebay's 29 million to see!! I usually myob on ebay, but I HAD to email this guy. Nope, he left them there, car didnt sell later. Even tho it didnt sell, how little it takes to get the guys address, find the car and strip it to sheet metal in 2 hours some night! IIRC, it had 27k miles, and was pretty much mint.