Locks, keys, tumblers,...

[T.Hanson]

Previous owner furnished a bag with the busted off glove box handle in it. On a paper in the bag is : 42342.

Wassat ? A code for the locksmith ?

One of my cars has a separate ignition key, another for the locks. I assume a P/O installed a new ignition switch, without a locksmith.

I've had a cylinder out, to have the little clips fall out on the bench. Seemed like if I needed to escape I could play Rubik's cube with the key and the clips, but I didn't.

So, the cylinders can be swapped around by removing the circlip, correct ?

But a locksmith is best for fooling with the keys working the cylinders ?

[Mike W.]

All the key codes I've seen for E12s are HB1234, ie HB as a prefix and 4 numbers after it. Later ones, like E28s, used about an 8 or 10 digit code, but I haven't seen 5. Yes, glove box is easy to change the lock on, as are the doors. Trunk is a little tricky with the spring and detent ball in there that's easy to lose, but the ignition is work. Nothing I haven't done mind you, but a pain. The wafers are spring loaded, but not much of a spring, if released gently they will only push the wafers out maybe an eighth of an inch or so.