Damn! Someone stole the key for my 83GS! and it was the actual original! I've got a half-*** duplicate that barely works, but I'd sure like to get an accurate replacement key. Plus, this dupe doesn't duplicate at the key shop: 3 tries and all failed.

I thought I read about getting a dupe from Mazda a few months ago, but can't find it with search.

Does anyone know?

 

Yup at a dealer, call first. cost 35-55 bucks 5 years ago 4 me.

 

I thought the dealer could only do 84 and up.

 

I was thinking the dealer can only do 86 and up now. May have to go through a locksmith to have a key made.

 

My dealer can only get blank keys, not cut ones. Locksmith may be your only option if the dealer can't

 

friend lost his key once. locksmith put him back ~$100

 

If someone has the key to your car, you may want to change the locks and ignition switch.
******** tried to steal an 83 I had years ago. They took my tools and messed up the ignition/key switch, and the driver door lock. IIRC, I went to a junkyard and got the switch, and door locks, and key.

 

Half of all 1st gens usually can be started/opened by anything that can get a grip to turn the lock. Even long fingernails lol!!!

I am about 98% sure that I got my key made for my 84 SE, not my 83 GSL, as it would start with anything. What I needed to bring them was my title I believe and they had the key and cut it. No Mazda employee's on the site?

Second thought, junkyard is a good idea... Unless theres a rotor fiend that gets rid of a junk 7 and spies on it at the yard, follows you home. And after you put the new locks/switch in.... He uses his other key.... Yeah I had a few beers working on my project tonight...
I looked up the Mazda dealership that did it for me, not there anymore. Id recommend calling a couple dealerships.

 

i hate the stealership.

:AA:

 

I think it was just kids/vandals. they took a $20 cellphone (and didn't make a call before I stopped it) and the keys, which were in a different car. Didn't take the aftermarket radio, which was loose in the dash, not even mounted yet.

 

I got an extra key cut when I bought my 85, cost about $20 at a locksmith.

I had an original he could work from though.

 

Take your tumbler out, bring it down to a local hardware stor they can match the pin numbers and cut a new key.

$25.00

If you need it that bad you can take the tubler out easy.

 

If you guys find a dealer that can make keys from the VIN - I am sure many of us would be more than happy to work with them for a few extra bucks.

 

Walking the tumbler into a locksmith is a possibility since all the locks are original on my 83. I suppose I pick the easiest to R&R, like the glovebox or the hatchback.

 

id take the hatch over the glovebox. that glovebox lock always seems a little flakey to me. the hatch or pass. side would be the best as they probably saw the least use.

 

I just called Oak tree Mazda (where I bought the 83 new) , they checked their system and said they can't replace it - data doesn't go back far enough. They told me that the passenger side lock has the code on the tumbler if I want to remove it and walk it in to a locksmith. But first i think I'll just drive to a locksmith (since I have a half-*** dupe) and see if he can dope it out with his resources. At least he can do trial fits that way.

 

Call the local Mazda Dealer in your area. Have your vin number ready. If they can still retrieve the key code from Mazda Dealer Assistance, they can cut a key. They are starting to delete codes for the older Mazdas. Key code is no longer available for my 1991, but I just cut a key for a 1988 the other day. Good Luck.

Mazda Parts Guy
N. Charleston, SC

 

I tried my local dealer, Oak tree Mazda, where I bought the car 25 years ago, but they said their data doesn't go back far enough. I think he was checking the factory database.

But I got a good lead on the Alfa club:

http://stores.ebay.com/Keys4Classics

They claim to be able to make a true key from a digital photo of the worn original, which makes sense to me since the originals are basically cut from digital code so normal wear can be backed out by reference to composition of the original keycodes.

So I'm going to send them a GIF or PNG (lossless digitization as opposed to lossy JPGs) and see how it works out. I'll position a scale near the key for their reference.

I'll try a few ideas before I actually remove the cylinder/tumbler, which is a minor nuisance. Especially since I don't have any time pressure.

 

The key code thing comes up often enough. The dealership cannot cut a key for these cars from the vin, but as mentioned above, there is a key code, inside the passenger door from which a locksmith can cut a key.

 

Inside the door? That makes it easy (even for a theif who's broken the door open). I'll look. Any special location?

 

Hopefully this isn't a thread hijack. I was wondering if a good Mazda dealership would be able to make a new key for me from my original pretty easily? I'd actually like to try and get one with a new logo'ed plastic head, my original works but is in rough shape. And does anyone know if a key with a rotor-shaped head exists?

 

home depo made copys of my keys that actually work