GM Car Keys Open Other Vehicles: Myth or Truth?

[snopes]

Here's something to consider as the holiday shopping season approaches. That General Motors-built vehicle you drive, may not be as secure as you think it is.

Call it a rumor, or an urban legend - it turns out - this one is true. Industry experts say you can take a key to a 1994 to 2004 GM vehicle ... and open nearly any other GM vehicle.

http://cbs13.com/local/cars.car.keys.2.568269.html

Because you can wiggle the keys you're actually picking the locks with the keys," says Rick Vanina of J&J Locksmiths here in Sacramento. He says a little wear and tear on the five tumblers inside the lock loosen tolerances and make GMs easy targets, and easy prey for thieves.

I've used that method a lot to get into places where we didn't have a key. Note that you don't even need to use a key that totally fits the lock, all you need is one that will at least go into the lock. In fact, a key that doesn't fit well will often be better for lock picking.

The trick is in the jiggling and turning of the key....

[KirkMcD]

I was able to get into my mom's chevy cavalier with a key to a nissan altima, but it didn't work in the ignition.

[DemonWolf]

Originally Posted by Doug4.7

I've used that method a lot to get into places where we didn't have a key. Note that you don't even need to use a key that totally fits the lock, all you need is one that will at least go into the lock. In fact, a key that doesn't fit well will often be better for lock picking.

The trick is in the jiggling and turning of the key....

The is a trick called "bumping" where you get a key made a certain way and tap the key with a hammer while it is in the lock. The bumping will cause the pins to shift out of allignment and the lock can be opened.

[LyndaD]

I once used my brother's Honda motorcycle key to start a Dodge Colt. It got me to the supermarket, but would not start it for me to get home.

[Casey]

This isn't a surprise to me. Part of the family business is locksmithing, and it's amazing what's for sale if you have an ALOA (Allied Locksmiths of America) or NLA (National Locksmiths of America) certification. I can flip through the catalog and get the "master set" for about anything- if I remember correctly, the largest set was 47 keys.

[franjava]

My in-laws had a '92 Ford Escort, we had a '93 Escort. Their keys worked in our doors, but not our ignition. On one of the Ford ambulances I drove, one coworker was able to use his Ford truck (unsure of model) key to unlock and DRIVE the ambulance. Keys working in other vehicles does not surprise me. Sort-of-a-chow.

ETA: Did I really just chow snopes? Sorry, dude!

[diddy]

Originally Posted by Casey

This isn't a surprise to me. Part of the family business is locksmithing, and it's amazing what's for sale if you have an ALOA (Allied Locksmiths of America) or NLA (National Locksmiths of America) certification. I can flip through the catalog and get the "master set" for about anything- if I remember correctly, the largest set was 47 keys.

Curiosity speaking here, are these kind of catalogues available for public viewing (since I presume that you have to prove that you are a locksmith to order any of that stuff). I am interested in seeing in what you can actually buy and what is out there. It would be a fascinating bit of info to see what is out there for the industry.

If it happens to be private, than thats fine, it just happens to be a curiosity of mine.

Originally Posted by DemonWolf

The is a trick called "bumping" where you get a key made a certain way and tap the key with a hammer while it is in the lock. The bumping will cause the pins to shift out of allignment and the lock can be opened.

I saw a video about that once. I didn't know what I did had a name. I just knew I was "famous" at work for being able to open any door with just about any key.

[llewtrah]

When I saw the thread title, I wondered how on earth you could GM (Genetically Modify) car keys to open other vehicles

[Lancastrian]

Originally Posted by llewtrah

When I saw the thread title, I wondered how on earth you could GM (Genetically Modify) car keys to open other vehicles

Science marches on!

[KirkMcD]

Originally Posted by diddy

Curiosity speaking here, are these kind of catalogues available for public viewing (since I presume that you have to prove that you are a locksmith to order any of that stuff).
If it happens to be private, than thats fine, it just happens to be a curiosity of mine.

Do a Google search for "locksmith tools." You'll get plenty of sites.

[diddy]

Originally Posted by KirkMcD

Do a Google search for "locksmith tools." You'll get plenty of sites.

Good Idea. I will have to try that when I get some time this weekend.

It works with Fords, too!

My brother locked the keys to his '92 Escort in his car while at my house. He had no spares (being 17 can make you kinda dumb sometimes!). Luckily, I still had keys from my old car, a '91 Taurus. Those keys unlocked his car! THey wouldn't work in the ignition.

I also had a friend with an '87 T-bird, and another friend at college had an almost identical car, same year, same color. On multiple occasions they'd accidentally get into each others cars and START them with their keys. Interesting, huh?

I also seem to remember my mom helping out a neighbor who locked her Dodge Caravan keys in her van by unlocking the van with OUR Dodge Caravan keys. It was apparently common knowledge through the neighborhood that one in five Caravans had the same keys or something.

[MrsLottoTx]

My husband had the gas cap key to a 60's era Monte Carlo that would open just about any "small key" lock out there. (small key being the type you typically see on bike locks and gas caps, not door keys or vehicle keys) We had fun opening the stuff we shouldn't have for a while.

Don't know what ever happened to that key, but it sure came in handy at times.

I work for a company that has less than new furniture. The original lap drawer key to my desk has never been located as far as anyone remembers. The key to my luggage lock works in it. So far as I've tried it's the only other lock it works, though.

Mrs.

[franjava]

I work for a company that has less than new furniture. The original lap drawer key to my desk has never been located as far as anyone remembers. The key to my luggage lock works in it. So far as I've tried it's the only other lock it works, though.

OH! I should try that. I'm sure DH would love to lock his desk!

[snopes]

Comment: Hey, I've heard from several sources that there was a year where
all the keys to the Neon cars were interchangeable. Sounds unlikely,
until you consider the fact that it's, well, a Neon. Any weight to this
rumour?

[imjustasteph]

I don't know about opening doors with other keys, but every 80's and early 90's GM I've ever been exposed to would start without a key.

[snopes]

Originally Posted by imjustasteph

I don't know about opening doors with other keys, but every 80's and early 90's GM I've ever been exposed to would start without a key.

My experience is that most 1980s/90s GM cars were difficult to start, even with a key.

[BoKu]

Originally Posted by snopes

Comment: Hey, I've heard from several sources that there was a year where
all the keys to the Neon cars were interchangeable. Sounds unlikely,
until you consider the fact that it's, well, a Neon. Any weight to this
rumour?

This Neon enthusiast doubts it, even as regards the somewhat flaky first-generation Neons (1995 through 1999). I know my 2003 second-gen requires an RFID chip key. Even if it does open the car and turn the ignition switch, if it's not registered with the car the engine shuts itself off after three seconds.

I just searched my three favorite Neon forums (allpar.com, neons.org, and 2gn.org) and didn't find anything about interchangable keys.

My thinking is that this is a revectoring of the the "all {airplane|tractor|elevator|nuclear reactor} keys are interchangable" UL.

Bob "BoKu" K.