Nissan Key Origination

In order to make a new key for a vehicle there are few things that most of the average locksmith technician knows. Most of the information for generating an automotive key most of the time can be found in various automotive locksmith guides and book. However, every now and then, I would run into a new piece of information that was not found in those books that would help me get the job done much quickly in an easier fashion.

I remember a few years back, I got called by a customer who broke the key of his 92 Nissan inside the ignition while trying to start it. Initially he called to get the broken key out of the ignition switch, but I assumed he may need a new key made as well. I took the job, but before heading to the customer location, I stopped at the locksmith shop to get a couple of blanks just in case.

Once I got to the customer's location, I did a quick review of the situation figuring my strategy of extracting the broken piece of the key since that was the first time working on this type of Nissan model. It didn't seem like something special, so I just used my extractor tool to get the broken piece out which didn't take too long. Once I got the piece out, the customer did asked me if I would be able to make him a new key and I confirmed.

According to the guides I had there was suppose to be a sticker with the code inside the glove compartment that would be needed in order to make the key. There was another option mentioned which was taking the ignition apart to get the code stamped on it. Obviously, I took the easier route and checked the glove compartment for the sticker with the code.

Unfortunately, as I opened the glove compartment, I noticed that the sticker was missing. At that point it looked like I would need to take the ignition apart to get the code. Since I didn't have any experience at that time messing with the ignitions of these types of vehicles, I decided to call a fellow Boise locksmith technician I knew for some guidance on the process.

As I got my friend on the phone and told him the whole story, I mentioned that taking the ignition apart may not be necessary. He said that if the customer still had the original key, I should be able to peel the rubber coating from the head of the key and the code should be stamped on the head. Following the new discovery, I took the broken key form the customer (which luckily was the original) and I did saw it had the rubber coating and as I started peeling it, the code was right there! I then was able to make a new key for the customer in no time!