options to start 98 v70 parts car with lost key

[Mware18]

Looking at purchasing a 1998 v70 parts car. The owner has lost one set of keys and other set at another home a few hundred miles away. He has title so no worry of it being stolen. He says it ran when parked 3-4 months ago. I would like to hear it run prior to making the purchase.

Options to start with no key without spending $$$?

I did find this doing a forum search: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=13514&start=20[/url]

"PS: For 1997 and 98, the key has no chip. As an experiment, I started the car without the key! All you need is the screwdriver in the Ignition Switch, the electrical portion of the Ignition System (key in my pocket!)."

So for 1998 i can remove ignition switch and try to start with screw driver? Understanding that steering wheel should still be locked. Seems to easy!


From above mentioned thread:

You basically have 3 options:

1. New ignition tumbler as I mentioned. It is about $210 at Waltrip Volvo in TN.

2. Used ignition tumbler on ebay etc. but you run the risk of buying used parts that fail soon.
These ignition tumblers last some 100K and that is it, and most 1997-98 junkyard parts have at least 90-100K miles on it.

3. Red-neck engineering.....If you have no budget, then I am thinking this "red-neck engineering":
- Remove the ignition tumbler assembly and looked at mom's pictures in previous thread.
- Remove the bottom cover plate.
- Somehow magically remove the guillotine and anything broken inside.
- Now the ignition tumbler is "free-wheeling", basically acting like a long screwdriver to turn the Ignition Switch (on the Left side of Steering Column) with the key inserted.
- The risk with this technique: the steering lock feature may not work but one may not care about this.

PS: For 1997 and 98, the key has no chip. As an experiment, I started the car without the key! All you need is the screwdriver in the Ignition Switch, the electrical portion of the Ignition System (key in my pocket!).

[scot850]

As this is an un-chipped ignition, the dealer can get you a key via the VIN #. Not sure what they charge these days.

Neil.

[Mware18]

Thanks Neil. Yep. I reached out to local dealer. It is around $135. Was looking to just make sure the engine runs prior to purchasing and that is a third of what i am looking to pay for car.

[scot850]

Ouch! I hear you. If you have a key it is cheap to get a copy made. Plenty of blanks available out there like Ebay. Locksmith needs a particular type of cutter to cut though. I have a place here that used to charge about $15/key to cut (CDN$).

There is a remote start but I think you still need the key to operate that. Abscate might know.

Only other suggestion would be to pull an ignition and key from a scrap yard. Appreciate time would be an issue.

Good Luck!

[BEJinFbk]

If you don’t need to unlock the steering or transmission, this is pretty easy.
Remove the steering column shroud and the electrical side of the ignition
switch is right there on the left side. Only a few screws attach it to the column.

Once the electrical portion is removed, a screwdriver will do the trick.

Also, not a bad idea to disconnect the battery before you get started
and take some pictures of the switch prior to disassembly. Stuff happens...

[RickHaleParker]

Thanks Neil. Yep. I reached out to local dealer. It is around $135.

Call around the locksmiths. Some of then can cut a key from the VIN number for less.

Another option is to have a Locksmith rake the lock, turn and extract the cylinder from the column lock. That way you can install a different lock cylinder, door lock and trunk lock.