Mazda Key Origination

Working as a locksmith technician you'll never know what type of job you will going to run into. Key origination is one of the many services most locksmith companies and technicians do. For most make and models it doesn't take much for the average locksmith technician to make a key. There are several methods and equipment that are used to make keys such as buying a code from a large automotive database, getting the code from one of the vehicle's lock, or others. However, the service does not usually end by originating the key. What happen if the key that was made will not work?

I got a call recently from an old couple who wanted a key made for their 1992 Mazda 929. I wasn't aware of it until I actually got to their home, but apparently the vehicle was seating in the garage for about 12 years. Even though they didn't have the for it, the vehicle was unlocked inside the garage, so I was able to  to look inside the vehicle which looked like it was brand new. Needless to say, I did not want to tamper with anything and decided to pays the extra few dollars to get the special code off of the automotive database instead from one of the vehicle's locks that needed to be removed for that purpose.

Another incident that happened that day was the fact that my main service van kept over heating which forced me going to the job with my truck which had an old "punch" machine which used to manually cut keys. Once I got the vehicle's code from the database, I had all I needed to make the key including 4 blanks I had to my disposal. Finishing cutting the key, I quickly went to test it, but for some reason it failed to operate both the door lock and ignition switch. I figured that there was a chance I didn't cut the key properly, so I went ahead and cut another key which didn't work as well.

I then decided to call a Boise locksmith co-worker friend of mine for advice on the situation. After giving him all the story, he said that the issue may have been the fact that vehicle sat for so long, the wafers and springs inside the lock probably began to bind in time which affected the operation with the key. The solution? WD-40 and let it seat for  few minutes.

After following my co-worker advice, I sprayed a little WD-40 on both the lock and the ignition switch and waited few minutes. Before making an attempt to test both keys, I went over the cuts one more time just in case. I then went ahead and tested both keys which was successful on the door lock, but not on the ignition switch. At that point, I knew it wasn't the key and that the problem just may have been in the ignition switch. However, as I went to call the customer and show him the key did work, surprisingly the ignition switch decided to turn which was a relief.