Parawhore

Hey guys,

I'm looking to get a set of factory key blanks for my '84 N/A. What's the best place to get a set? Also, can they be cut anywhere that cuts keys? On my last 944 I had three different spares cut at three different places and none of them would work. Only the original key worked.

My current 944 only has one key and it's the valet key. Or at least I think it is, it says VW on it.

PaulD_944S2

I know they aren't "factory" blanks but you can get a key at Walmart; I believe that it is the Axxess blank #A. And they're cheap, under $2.

You can order the round rubber Porsche head key blank from several of the popular parts vendors.

whalebird

I wouldn't use the generic blanks if possible. The 944 uses the same blank as most late model VWs. The round rubber headed key is typically the ignition and then there is a different key for the rest of the car as well as the wheel lock key. Your owners manual is a good reference for the keys originally supplied. I had replacements made from my originals using blanks from pelican. My door key is a stub blank with the lighted head and typical round rubber ignition key. Ive not had any problems and do have a spare stubby key for future use.
Its a good idea to have two sets of keys for obvious reasons. However, the tumblers in the ignition/doors wear together with the keys after prolonged use. Eventually even a spare set of the same keys will not work. The idea is to rotate the key sets every year or so. This way they all wear together and adding new keys to the rotation becomes easier for a proper blank to be cut by a local guy. Some dealers can cut keys by VIN given proof of ownership, but even these may not work if a tumbler has been replaced or to worn from new.

Parawhore

Thanks for the advice Whalebird!

I checked out Pelican and I'll probably go with a set of their blanks with the rubber heads. I'm just paranoid having a single key, not just because of the possibility of losing it, but also breaking it. It appears to be the original key. Hopefully the ignition tumbler in my 944 isn't too worn.

Spidey944

Keep in mind you will need to find an "old-school" key cutting machine to cut them. Places like ACE hardware ect. may have the older machines still to cut them. I tried all the big chain places with no luck. Then I found an old time ma and pa hardware store, worked great!

Spidey944

The above comment is for this style key and head w/light

michael7810

I took mine to Ace and they made a new key for $2.50. It's a flat, steel VW blank however they said they can get the ones with a black plastic head if I wanted. I only had 1 key and I think it is an original. Good idea to rotate the keys to keep the wear consistent. Thanks.

ramius665

My local dealership sold me a key cut to VIN for $32.

PaulD_944S2

Walmart, ugly key, only $1.39.

Cheap to keep in your pocket for those bad days.

drive135mph

My local lock smith was able to supply generic keys for mine, however for whatever reason none of the lowes, home depot, walmart of true value had what I needed. So if your area is like mine i would call a actual lock shop and see what they say

william_b_noble

when new, one key fit door, trunk and ignition. I know this for a fact, I bought my car new, it came with two identical keys, one had a Porsche logo in the plastic part with the light, the other did not, it just had a hole where the logo should be. If your ignition key and door key are different, one or the other has been changed.