I'm hoping nobody would want to steal a smelly 82 Vanagon with green
and brown interior.   I don't think i've ever locked the back hatch.
  Right now it's in my driveway with the keys in it, and the passenger
window is off track and fell down in the door.

-Sealover

On Wednesday, August 20, 2003, at 11:06 AM, Steve Sandlin wrote:

> As a locksmith, I feel that I should elaborate on this.  On VW
> products,
> lock codes from VIN are only available from the dealer or VW since
> about '97
> or '98 model years.  Anything earlier is not on file.  That makes all
> the
> Vanagons safe from this.  Most of the dealers are aware of this scam,
> and
> are pretty good on requiring proof of ownership before releasing codes
> or
> keys.  Many states also require a log of keys cut by code or VIN.
> Most of
> the locksmith community is careful about this.  On our older VW's,
> it's so
> easy to pull a handle and get the code.  As far as unlocking, I can
> get into
> a Vanagon in under 10 seconds.  I can then pull a door handle in less
> than a
> minute, look the code up on my computer and code cut a key in a very
> short
> time.  Can a thief do it?  Sure, if he has access to the codes and a
> code
> cutter.  He's not going to do that, though.  A dent puller and one
> slap and
> the lock is out of there, and a screwdriver willl start it.  In
> summation,
> don't worry about the VIN theft....it's not realy that much of a
> problem.
> Steve Sandlin
> Registered Locksmith
> '84 Wolfsburg Westy
> '79 Transporter
> '00 New Beetle
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> <b>Get MSN 8</b> and enjoy automatic e-mail virus protection.
> http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus
>