Key and ignition trouble

G'day,

I'm after a bit of advice regarding keys and removing my ignition barrel to get a code for a new key. Unfortunately, I lost my only key to my 1978 Mk1 Golf GLS a few weeks ago. I managed to pull the handles off and get a code (VBXXXX). Excited, I ordered a new key from MK1 Engineering. The service was great, and the OEM-style keys are fantastic. They worked on both the doors and the rear boot, but unfortunately, they don’t work for the ignition. My original key worked for all doors and the ignition.

From what I can tell, the car has never been rekeyed and the ignition barrel has never been replaced, as all the parts are original. I’m trying to avoid drilling into the ignition barrel to see if there’s a different code, but I find it strange that everything else is the same.

Could it be that I need an HV key blank, or is there a way to remove the ignition barrel without drilling?

The key blank should be a hv.
If it doesn't turn the Ignition lock but all others, I would suspect that one of the wafers isn't dropping far enough.

You might wake one of the handles out, and see what the wafers look like when the key is inserted to see which wafer isn't allowing it to turn, and also if the key was punched cut it may be too new for your tumblers (too sharp) and you might want to take some sand paper and sand the cut edges a wee bit to age them,

Lastly if the steering wheel is locked, then you may want to move it up or down as it may bind the cylinder.

Otherwise take it to a Locksmith, or Drill it and remove the lock, but the issue is that all the wafers have to be
even with the plain of the barrel to get it out.

If they used the wrong key blank, then it could be that you have a valet key number.

You could take the key to a locksmith and have them use the proper blank and see if that doesn't fix it easily.

Briano1234

If I were to use the VB code for an HV key would that possibly be the difference though I haven't been able to find a clear difference between the two.

I gave the key some love and sanded down the sharp edges. Tonight, I also removed the door handle and checked if any of the gates were too high, preventing the tumbler from turning, but it didn't seem to be the case.

It looks like I might have to drill out the ignition, unfortunately. unless i can find a better way or a different key blank. I was looking at genuine key but I can only find HV so maybe it should be a HV key.  

Those tumblers or wafers aren't sitting flush with the barrel.  

It could very well be that your new key isn't cut right.

About 4 years ago on a new to me car with only a re-cut Ignition not original that worked all the lock cylinders.  I had new keys cut at a local hardware store, and found that the new keys would only work either the doors but not the ignition, or the ones that worked the ignition wouldn't open the doors.  

I had to go to the dealer with Title in hand to have a new key cut from the Vin number.  

I then asked the to re-cut my old keys that either worked the doors or the ignition.  Presto they all worked.  

Seemed that the Hardware store couldn't cut the valley deep enough.

I know that when I was re-keying the wafers on my trunk lock 92 cabriolet that used 3 different keys to unlock things.  One of the wafers was sitting similar to yours as too high preventing the lock from engaging.  I took a flat Jewelers File and filed it flush with the lock barrel and presto the lock then worked.

I scoured the yards for years of all the locks that I could to get a bag full of wafers to use.  I assumed that a couple of the key blanks were the wrong number and were acting more like the valet key that would unlock the doors and ignition but not the Glove box nor the Trunk or boot.

If you look at your barrel all the wafers on the bottom are fully retracted, but the top isn't.

Years ago I had a new spare key made for my GTI, poss from VW themselves (was around 25 years ago…)

The new key with its factory fresh sharp and defined edges didn't work in the then 20 years old 170,000mile locks.

I carefully rounded off the lumps and bumps to match the original used key and it worked !