From: Art Wegweiser
Date: Sun, 14 Jan 2001 17:26:10 -0500
Subject: Trunk Lock Problem
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Thanks to David for his excellent exposition of how to gain access to
a locked E3 trunk. I've personally seen him do just that - impressive, indeed. It is a good thing that car thieves and car valets don't pay much attention to these eMail lists however. I don't think the procedure would work for an E9 - but nothing of value is ever kept in a Coupe boot anyway except a few dozen spare parts to avoid being stranded in Gretna, Nebraska. BUT! What were we all thinking? Of course, the Valet Key! And, as a result, I've been asked by a number of people out there about this Valet Key thing. A what??? So, here's some additional Pebra Key and valet information and advice from the home office archives of a couple of years back.: (1) Keys are listed in Sections 32/16 and 32/17 of the Mobil Tradition and "Orange" parts catalogs along with all the ignition switch bits and pieces and exploded diagrams. (2) The key that opens everything is the "Generalschlussel" - no, not one of Field Marshall Erwin Rommel's staff. Part #32 32 1 104 229. (3) The key that operates only the ignition and doors is the "Normalschussel". Otherwise known as a "Valet Key" Part #32 32 1 104 228. (I seem to have lost a couple of umlauts here - if found please return; no questions asked.) Personal Observation: Why does one really need a valet key other than for the sake of complete E9/E3 originality? Would you allow a valet to drive your coupe or Bavaria? Would they want to? The last car I turned over to a valet was an 1986 AMC Eagle SW. It is never a good idea to keep anything important in or to lock the glove box, anyway. One quick twist of a pry bar or screw driver and you've lost your 357 (gun content) or bra and/or jockey shorts (undergarment content) and had your dash really messed up. All of these are important - you explain to the cops why your weapon was found at the scene of a crime, or - you explain to your spouse why you didn't come home with the same underwear that you left with that AM or - you sob and weep copiously when you find out about availability, what it costs for parts and what it takes in labor to replace a dash. I leave the order of importance of these items to you. But I digress ... (4) Obvious caveat for those that missed the lectures on Logic in Philo 101: Using the VIN to order keys requires that you be certain that your existing Generalschlussel key fits all locks and that nobody has changed any locks since the vehicle was screwed together. If it does work everything, then to be certain, consider obtaining the key code from the trunk lock - it's the easiest to get at and usually has two letters followed by 3 or 4 numbers. If the locks are not all the same, then start removing things like door panels as needed. It's not really difficult in theory but it can present some problems like stripped screws and holes, bent door panels and trim, plastic snap clips pulling out of the cardboard or breaking off, rubber door gaskets and other things refusing to line up again, etc. (5) QUERY: OK Herr Dokter Professor - you've babbled on enough and your lovely mid January afternoon has slipped away! Where the Hell do I order these keys??? REPLY: Maximillian at 800-950-2002 ... ask for Paul W and tell him Art W sent ya. Some times Munchen gets a bit fussy and wants to be certain you own the car for which you want keys - how unreasonable of them. You might have to mail a xerox of the registration or title to Paul for faxing. Clearly should be no problem unless your ex-spouse/SO has the key and registration and you want to steal the car back. (6) Finally ... An address for duplicating keys is given in CS Registry Newsletter Volume XIV (Vol.14 if you skipped Latin 101 when they covered the Roman numbering system), No. 2, p. 12. Taking your ignition lock apart? See Newsletter Vol. XIV (still #14), No. 3/4, p. 22 for detailed description. At 7:20 AM -0800 1/10/01, Barry Hibbing wrote:
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