On your '85, the gas cap key was probably a "stubby" and was different
from the ignition/door keys.

If you remove a front door handle, there is a number on the lock that a
key can be cut from.  To remove the handle, open the door and pull the
rubber door seal (horizontally to the rear of the handle) and remove the
Phillips screw.  The handle will then come off by pulling it toward the
front of the van.

Originally one key worked on the front doors, the sliding door, and the
rear hatch.  The glovebox was different.

If you work with Steve Sandlin (Steve's Lockshop) he can help you get
back to only needing one key for the doors and ignition.

http://www.steveslockshop.com/

Mike

marion lyle lathem wrote:
> Hi,
>   I have a 1985 Vanagon GL.  I had one door key that worked and I bought a
> new ignition key lock, thought I was in pretty fair shape.  That is until I
> lost the keys to the Vanagon, I kept seperate.  This seperate key ring had
> the gas cap key, door key and ignition key.  My ritual was to always put it
> in my right front pocket.  We went to go to town the other morning, my keys
> were gone. We have torn everything up looking so many times.. we live in
> disaster land. We did have the spare ignition key for the new lock.
>
>   I hate to make drastic changes, thinking my keys will show up some day.
> I have thought about installing a kill switch.  One option would be to kill
> the gas pump circuit..?  What would be the best way to install a kill
> circuit, and would you use a toggle switch..?
>
>    I have priced door lock sets... gads.. like going to a dentist...?  I
> was curious why the previous owner just had a key to one door, the right
> side..?  Is there a number I can give a VW dealer and get a key that
> possibly will fit all my other locks except the right door..?  The back
> door
> I of course never had a key for, but it seems to perhaps taken a different
> key...?  ( Depth of lock ) when trying all the keys I could find anywhere.
>
> Thanks in advance..!
> Lyle Lathem
> 1985 Vanagon GL
> Quinlan, TX
>