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Almost two years ago I purchased a new ignition lock cylinder for my '84 944. The ignition lock cylinder fit fine and works great. I've discovered an issue when I tried to key my door lock cylinders to the new ignition lock key; the new ignition lock uses a fundamentally different key. I was able to key the lock cylinders, and they work if you hold the key in them just right, but the key blank definitely doesn't fit quite right. Initially I thought it was some peculiarity to the blanks that the new lock cylinder used, so I bought two new blanks without this little 'scallop' in them at the base that's causing the issue, but the new blanks will not insert into the ignition lock. A bit of searching tells me that the blanks the new ignition lock are designed to use match older 911s and 914s. How is this possible??? This ignition lock was brand-new, purchased from an overseas vendor in Switzerland. It was a bit cheaper, even with shipping, than getting it here in the U.S. I've done this before with my '87 924S and it worked fine for all the locks, though that ignition lock cylinder was purchased from a U.S. vendor. Any idea what's going on? The red key is the one from the new lock cylinder.
Wow, an entirely different key blank in more ways than one. Judging by the quality of the plastic injection molding around the red key I would guess not a genuine Porsche part. YMMV
Judging by the quality of the plastic injection molding around the red key I would guess not a genuine Porsche part. YMMV
Nah, I have no doubt it's a genuine Porsche part. The packaging and the part itself leaves me with no doubt about that at all. This is a weird one. All I can see is that 944s sold in different parts of the world may have had different lock assemblies. The lock cylinder itself does have a part number beginning with 914. Another difference is that the first part of it where the key enters into the lock cylinder protrudes outward a bit and has a shinier finish than regular 944 lock cylinders tend to have.
I think two years ago they supplied you an incorrect (914) lock cylinder and key and just by chance it fits and works on your 944. PET doesn’t list options for lock cylinders or keys for different markets and I have never heard this mentioned over the years on this forum which has an international community.
Order a 944 cylinder from the dealer and see what you get, I’ll put money down that it won’t be the same as you have now. Also you can order a complete car set from the dealer though that may be cost prohibitive.
The red 914 key is a valet key. It typically unlocks just the drivers door and works the ignition, nothing else. I do not know it that is your issue but the red key is not a standard key.
The red 914 key is a valet key. It typically unlocks just the drivers door and works the ignition, nothing else. I do not know it that is your issue but the red key is not a standard key.
Definitely not a 944 valet key, the one I got when I bought my car new was not that type of key and besides it had a smaller black top (see “b” below). Guessing the red one is maybe a 914/928 valet key.
If you read the above image Mike posted, you'll notice that key "B" can be modified with a "luminous plastic handle available from your Porsche dealer". This "flat key" has a very similar appearance (actual key cut end) to the red key in your original photo--to me, it looks like the same shape.
Live and learn I guess. I looked high and low for an example of what I had, and it seems even among 914s not all lock cylinders look the same, but then I don't know those cars at all. I finally found an E-Bay auction that has exactly what I have. I was amazed at the price they're asking! If that's the case I could sell my brand-new one for quite a profit! I have ordered another lock cylinder which I expect should work. I'll have to re-key my doors again, but since I haven't assembled the handles back into them it's no big deal at all...
12-09-2020, 01:01 AM
How Did I Get a 914 Key In My 944?
