San Diego Lock & Safe™ :: Ask the Locksmith Blog! (Notes from the Trenches)

Thursday, December 15, 2005

ATL: My Corolla ignition locks up...

Ask The Locksmith Question:
The ignition locks when I turn my key in my car. It will turn far enough to unlock the stearing column but not passed that. My coworkers thought the tumbler might need to be replaced. My car is a 1996 Corolla Dx. Is this something that you can fix?

Hi there,

Yes, we do work on Toyota ignitions, however, the problem you're describing is a common one in '90's Toyotas. What we suggest first and foremost, before calling out a locksmith, is to get some dry silicon lubricant (Do NOT use WD40 - This is a "wet" lube and will damage interior parts). Use something like Superlube, available at Ace Hardware, and use some of this in the ignition. Squirt some in, and run the key in and out a few times to loosen the tumblers. Do this a couple of times in an hour or two period. If this does not work, then go ahead and call a locksmith.

We'd hate to have you pay service calls and ignition repair/replacement out of pocket for something that can often be fixed with a $4 can of dry lube. :)

Please give this a try, and if you find you still need a locksmith, please feel free to give a call to check availability and rates (part prices vary).

Please let us know if we can help...

Kim

We're not your normal locksmith company™... :)

technorati tags: locksmith, ignition, key, tumbler, toyota ignition, corolla ignition, locksmith company

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Wednesday, December 14, 2005

ATL: My Dealer wants too much for a Jetta key!

Ask The Locksmith Question:
I need a spare key to my Jetta, could be one that only runs/drives the car [without locking/unlocking, etc.], and the dealership wants to charge me $200! Can you or anyone you know get me a 'valet key' or whatever as a spare key for less than that? Thank you!
Oh, thank you, it's a 2000 Jetta.

Hi there...

We show Jetta's being manufactured through 1999, then production being resumed in 2002... If your Jetta is actually a 1999, it is NOT a high security key, and we can make you a duplicate/valet for around $42.50. If it is a later model, it is what is known as a "Sidewinder" key. These keys are high security, although there are some locksmiths that have the specialized machines to cut them. We do not.

If the year is a question, the next best way to tell is to look at your key. A pre-2002 key will have cuts in it similar to your house key, regular cuts, in both sides. A 2002 + key will have curvy lines running up the center of the key rather than a straight groove.

If you determine that you do have a Sidewinder key, try Alcatraz, A-Advanced, or Grah. Each of these locksmiths are licensed (required by state law), and each seems to be reputable. I believe that each of them has a Sidewinder machine. If it is a 1999, regular key, we'd be happy to come out and take care of duplicating it for you.

Let me know if we can help...

Kim

We're not your normal locksmith company™... :)

technorati tags: locksmith, jetta key, spare key, valet key, high security key, sidewinder key, locksmith company

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Monday, December 12, 2005

ATL: How much for an Access Control System?

Ask The Locksmith Question:
Hello. I work in a very small business. We are looking into setting up an access control system for our business. This would probably require a lock on the front and back door. We would want each employee to have individual access past these locks. We would also like the system to log and track passcode/key information, who has accessed the door, and when. If you could give me a price quote and description of the system you might have in mind, I'd greatly appreciate it. If you can get this information to me by the end of the week, that'd be very helpful.

Ask The Locksmith Question:
We are looking for a card access system for our small biz. Two doors, about 10 employees. please email your options with pricing info. Thank you

Hi there...

We'd be happy to come take a look at what you have, but in all honesty, there is no "accurate" way of estimating a quote out of thin air for something like this while still being fair to you... There are many, many types/brands/makers of access control systems, with many different capabilities, and which are dependant upon existing construction, crawl space access, trim, needs, computer hardware for audit trails, etc. In addition, the price ranges vary greatly...

We'd need to see what you have, what types of doors are there, what type of trim/panic hardware/ADA requirements exist as of now, if the doors and walls/crawl spaces are workable. We'd also need to talk to you about your current cat5 wiring setup for your audit trail system, or evaluate with you whether you would prefer to go wireless/laptop to hold down the wiring aspect... Once we see and note what you have, we'd be able to more accurately tell you what types of access control system(s) would be appropriate and within your budget and needs.

Quoting out of hand without knowing what's there is just an opportunity for a locksmith to quote really high, just in case, and to cover all their bases. That's just not the way we do business. :) We'd much rather you have a quote based on your actual needs, and within your budget, than a quote that covered every potentiality.

Please give us a call if we can swing by at some point and take a look at your office/building. This would be at no charge of course, we just need to see what you have in order to quote you. Our earliest availability would be Monday. Please also feel free to give a call and ask for Bill to give you a call back if you have "general" questions about access control. Keep in mind however, the same issues apply as noted above; Without seeing what you have, we'd be hard pressed to simply sell you a system off the cuff. :)

Cheers!

Kim

We're not your normal locksmith company™... :)

technorati tags: locksmith, access control, lock, key, card access, locksmith company

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