broken key

88 volvo 240 DL has a broken key (1/2 a key) stuck in the ignition. We've
tried ripping the thing appart but it seems to be "theft proof." The whole
locking gizmo is a solid piece that does not come appart. Any thoughts?

 

Suggest you make a tool out of piano wire, sharpen a point then just barely
knock the point off center. This will form a small barb then rake the key
out of the lock.

 

I've fished half a key out of the ignition with tweezers off a swiss
army knife (very thin) clamped tight with vice-grip pliers. If the
tweezers aren't too special to you try roughing the ends of them a bit
with a file for better grip.

Still took me about 40 minutes.

Good luck
blurp

 

we had similar problem. got friendly scrapyard man who collect old Volvos to
fir complete new handle for door with integral lock. cost £20 for parts and
labour. Do you live near York/Hull????

 

ignition barrel, they are fixed with tamperproof "shear" bolts, when they
are fitted the head of the bolt is designed to break off at the correct
torque so you will have to either drill the bolts out, or work them undone
using a small chisel and hammer.........make sure if you are replacing you
get new shear bolts, or if you are not so concerned with the tampering issue
then any M6 bolts may do the job....

 

Update on this saga.
The car was in a below grade parking garage and tow truck guys said that the
6'5" made it impossible to tow out.
I got my mechanic to the parking garage the next evening and he work on it
for two hours. Got to the point of removing the shear bolts and that allowed
him to take out the steering column support member out of the way and
behold, the ignition switch's deadbolt mechanism is ONE PIECE that wraps
around the steering column. The mechanic said that he could cut it out but
the car had to get to his shop, Hmmm.......

Next day I called locksmiths. They all said: "oh! you got one of them
Volvos. Good luck"! They all recommended one specialist in the area; so I
called him and he said: "oh! you got one of them Volvos. Good luck! But
I'll work on it if you get the car to my shop." Hmmmmm........

After more calling I found a towing company that specializes in low
clearance garages. He got the car out for $80 and took it to the expert
locksmith. The car is still there. $$$???

Next time, I'm buying an easy to steal GM product.
MikeG

----- Original Message -----
From: "MikeG" <>
Newsgroups: alt.autos.volvo
Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2003 10:09 PM
Subject: broken key

 

Any thoughts?
I used to nearly break a key every six months or so in a 122S.
I started throwing out the weakening bending key. It was a good decision sinc
e they were going to break and I;d still need a new key.
Rojo