1968 ignition switch removal with out key c3

[Sandy L.]

Need to remove ignition switch on a 68 c3 but I have no key . I have the wrench but can't turn it ,don't want to force it . Do I need to spray wd40 and turn left .I read on other post how to remove lock with key and paper clip but key has been misplaced . Can anyone give me a heads up on this . Thanks !

[Jim T.]

Re: 1968 ignition switch removal with out key c3

Are you trying to remove the complete ignition switch or just the internal key turn? If someone wrote the key number in the owners manual you could use it to have a new ignition key made. Remove the drivers seat, perhaps a lost key is under it. What wrench do you have that you can't turn?

[Sandy L.]

Re: 1968 ignition switch removal with out key c3

Removing the switch to take to locksmith ,need to remove whole switch have insterment removed . Car been park for 15 years just can't find keys ! Thanks for responding

[Stephen L.]

Re: 1968 ignition switch removal with out key c3

First, check with the locksmith to determine if removal of the switch from the dash is necessary. Then, if he can make a new key with the switch in the car, hotwire the car to get it started and drive to the locksmith for a new key...or call for a visit to you home.

[Peter M.]

Re: 1968 ignition switch removal with out key c3

Hi Sandy,
The door lock cylinder should have the key code stamped on it. If the car is original the door key and ignition key should be the same.
Good luck

[Sandy L.]

Re: 1968 ignition switch removal with out key c3

Thanks guys ,going to try locksmith and door lock code . Hope a door lock is not as hard to get out as a ignition switch . Bought the switch wrench ,guess I should have got the one with instructions or is this the Holy Grail of the 68 !! Tranks for all the help

[Jim T.]

Re: 1968 ignition switch removal with out key c3

Hi Sandy,
The door lock cylinder should have the key code stamped on it. If the car is original the door key and ignition key should be the same.
Good luck

Can the door lock stamping be seen/identified without removing the door lock after the door panel is removed?

[Sandy L.]

Re: 1968 ignition switch removal with out key c3

This car has been sitting 15 years . Cleaning carburetor and replaced gas tank( rusted out )mystery oil in cylinders ! Bought wrench to remove switch but switch nut would not turn with mild force . Maybe someone can show key code photo . I will report back when I crack this nut . Thanks for all the input .

[Peter M.]

Re: 1968 ignition switch removal with out key c3

Hi Jim,
Sorry, I don't know if it is visible with out removal, but I would try and get a light and mirror in there if possible. I also should have described the lock cylinder properly, it is cylinder and case with the code stamped on the case.
Sorry I can't be more help.
Kind regards

[Peter L.]

Re: 1968 ignition switch removal with out key c3

Sandy - The '68 door lock do have the KEY NUMBER stamped on them, but the '68 door locks are an interesting engineering mechanism & a one year only system. Once you look at them you will know why. If I remember, the KEY NUMBER is stamped on part of the push button mechanism, so the door lock mechanism will have to be removed & disassembled to get the KEY #.
A second option is to find a Locksmith with a set of GM "C" letter code "tryout" keys that were designed to open door & ignition locks if someone lost their keys.
A third option is to carefully remove the ignition switch nut & take the ignition switch with the ignition lock cylinder in it out of the dash & take it to a Locksmith & have him pick it to remove the ignition lock cylinder which should have the KEY # stamped on it if it the original ignition lock cylinder.
Good luck & have FUN. Pete

[Sandy L.]

Re: 1968 ignition switch removal with out key c3

Thanks Peter . Have door panel off and you are correct with my old eyes and not being able to twist ang shout anymore well I still SHOUT A LOT. Do you remember does the hand pocket come out first ,I see a nut that appears to hold it .would the lock mechanism he held with nuts or screws ?Thanks for the Gm C key info ,have a lock smith who can come out and pick it ,but will ask him about The C keys ,he has been in the lock business along time . Hope all this makes sense thanks again .

[Peter L.]

Re: 1968 ignition switch removal with out key c3

Sandy - If you have a Locksmith that will come out & pick the lock & remove the ignition lock cylinder unit that's the way to go. If the ignition lock cylinder unit is original (hopefully to the car) it will have the KEY # (a four character alpha-numeric sequence) stamped on the side of it & as you know that key should operate the door locks. BTW, when you conquer the ignition/door lock key situation & you move on to the rear compartment/spare tire locks. That one is much easier because the lock cylinder in rear compartment lock can be remover without a key & again if it is an original, it will have a KEY # stamped on it & that key should operate the spare tire lock. The FUN of working on old cars never ends. Pete

[Gary B.]

Re: 1968 ignition switch removal with out key c3

Thanks Peter . Have door panel off and you are correct with my old eyes and not being able to twist ang shout anymore well I still SHOUT A LOT. Do you remember does the hand pocket come out first ,I see a nut that appears to hold it .would the lock mechanism he held with nuts or screws ?Thanks for the Gm C key info ,have a lock smith who can come out and pick it ,but will ask him about The C keys ,he has been in the lock business along time . Hope all this makes sense thanks again .

Sandy,

By way of constructive advice, before you pay your locksmith for a house call, you should definitely ask him over the phone if he has the skill to pick a '68 ignition lock, which is a so-called side bar lock. Side bar locks are much harder to pick than storage compartment locks or spare tire locks. As Pete said, a set of C-keyway try-out keys might work, but there is no guarantee with that approach. If I recall correctly, the companies that sell try-out key sets say that they open about 85% of a given lock type. I've have a set of '66 and earlier try-out keys that I've used 5 or 6 times and I have never gotten them to work, not once. Supposedly side-bar locks are better suited to opening with try-out keys, but as I said they are much harder to pick using lock pick tools if the try-out keys don't work. Picking a side-bar lock really separates the pros from the amateurs.

Gary

[Sandy L.]

Re: 1968 ignition switch removal with out key c3

Working on all the angles trying not to breaking anything and moving slow . I will repeat my steps pulled right door panel got hand pocket off one nut on a stud . Stud screwed out, chrome pocket lifted up and out of the way. Exposed two nuts when loosened allowed me to remove 3 shims . One nut came off and left the stud one nut came off with stud. Think i need back second stud out but don't know if door latch has to come ? Any thoughts ? Thanks

[Jim T.]

Re: 1968 ignition switch removal with out key c3

Sandy I stripped and painted my 1968 convertible in 1985-1986 and removed the door opening handles and the key locks. I did not remove the door latch to remove them.