Speaking of key issues -

My 83 Westy's rear hatch cannot be locked. I tried both the ignition key
and the gas cap key, but neither will turn the lock. Was there a third key
for the rear hatch or something else going on here?

Thanks in advance.

/S/

On Tue, Dec 6, 2011 at 3:54 PM, BenT Syncro <syncro@gmail.com> wrote:

> Andrew,
>
> Perhaps the problem might be the key you had copied was worn at the tip.
> If it's too short, you might not be engaging the lock wafers at the right
> spots. The tip of an unworn Vanagon/T3 key should be shaped almost like an
> arrow. At least that is how all new keys I've had came. I've had a couple
> of hundred at least. And when I took my featureless old key decoded, the
> new key cut by code had the miraculous arrow point at the end again.
>
>
> Best of luck,
>
> BenT
>
> sent from my sharp keys
>
> On Dec 6, 2011, at 12:25 PM, "Andrew Martin" <ramblinvan@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Interesting...  I tried every which way but loose to get them to fit and
> > even thought about shaving them down a bit...
> >
> > I will investigate this further.  Thanks Ben!
> >
> > Andrew
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: BenT Syncro [mailto:syncro@gmail.com]
> > Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2011 10:13 AM
> > To: Andrew Martin
> > Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Re: Vanagon key blanks
> >
> > Andrew,
> >
> > My VW factory rubberheaded keys operate all the treasure chest doors in
> all
> > three of my Doublecabs just as well as my plain head keys.
> >
> > Steve has cut a number of Vanagon keys and rekeyed a number of locks for
> me
> > as well.
> >
> >
> > BenT
> >
> > sent from my electronic leash
> >
> > On Dec 6, 2011, at 7:36 AM, Andrew Martin <ramblinvan@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> >
> >> I had Steve rebuild the lock cylinders and make new keys for my
> >> Transporter single cab.  I received at least one each of the style
> >> options mentioned below and all of them are very high quality and work
> > perfectly.
> >>
> >> Doka and Sinka folks please note:  The plastic headed keys (VW logo or
> >> Italian made) cannot be inserted far enough into the treasure chest
> >> door locks to operate the locks.  Be sure to retain a good all metal
> >> "hardware store generic" key for your treasure chest!
> >>
> >> Steve's work is excellent and my door locks operate as new.
> >>
> >> Andrew
> >>
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> >> Behalf Of Steve Sandlin
> >> Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2011 6:08 AM
> >> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >> Subject: Vanagon key blanks
> >>
> >> There has been a bit of discussion on the availability of key blanks,
> >> and several people asking me what I have available, so here goes.  I
> >> keep in stock plain metal hardware-store generic blanks, an
> >> Italian-made black plastic headed key blank, and the VW original with
> >> the plastic head and inset chrome logo.  There has never been a
> >> replacement blade made for the flip keys in the Vanagon keyway.  With
> >> worn locks, yo can force the key for the other water-cooled cars into
> the
> > Vanagon locks, but it is not correct.
> >> We see lots of Vanagon keys sent to us that are incorrectly cut on
> >> that keyblank.
> >>
> >> Thanks for the continuing support.
> >>
> >> Steve Sandlin, Registered Locksmith
> >>
> >> Steve's Lock Shoppe
> >>
> >> www.steveslockshop.com
> >>                                         =
> >
>