Worn Ignition Key

My 1988 Toyota pickup ignition key always gets two very worn
places on the flat sides near the tip of the key (about
3/16" from the tip). It looks like something is rubbing
there a lot, when the key is in the ignition switch, but I
can't imagine what. I'm on my third set of keys, and the
latest set is now showing very noticable wear there.

Anyone?
--
Thanks,tbl

Hey!
Get some lubricant in the keyhole.
I've used graphite powder in the past.
Too many new products on the market to mention.
Maybe the local bicycle or motorcycle shop for some dry lube.
Hope that helps!........................Bill

"tbl" <hate@ThatSpam.net> wrote in message
news:1mta925o9tg4le6h8tl33jt0kqrtikhk8k@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> My 1988 Toyota pickup ignition key always gets two very worn
> places on the flat sides near the tip of the key (about
> 3/16" from the tip). It looks like something is rubbing
> there a lot, when the key is in the ignition switch, but I
> can't imagine what. I'm on my third set of keys, and the
> latest set is now showing very noticable wear there.
>
> Anyone?
> --
> Thanks,tbl[/color]

I usually have problems with the door locks than the ignition switch.It's
the metal the duplicate keys are made of. They are made of a softer metal,
typically brass and tin. I keep one master key to duplicate from, for this
purpose. Master Keys are made of steel.

If all else fails, go to the dealer with your VIN, they can make you a new
key. I had to remove the driver side door lock to get the code for my
truck.

"tbl" <hate@ThatSpam.net> wrote in message
news:1mta925o9tg4le6h8tl33jt0kqrtikhk8k@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> My 1988 Toyota pickup ignition key always gets two very worn
> places on the flat sides near the tip of the key (about
> 3/16" from the tip). It looks like something is rubbing
> there a lot, when the key is in the ignition switch, but I
> can't imagine what. I'm on my third set of keys, and the
> latest set is now showing very noticable wear there.
>
> Anyone?
> --
> Thanks,tbl[/color]

tbl wrote:
[color=blue]
> My 1988 Toyota pickup ignition key always gets two very worn
> places on the flat sides near the tip of the key (about
> 3/16" from the tip). It looks like something is rubbing
> there a lot, when the key is in the ignition switch, but I
> can't imagine what. I'm on my third set of keys, and the
> latest set is now showing very noticable wear there.
>
> Anyone?[/color]

The original keys for my '88 pickup, wore the same way. I finally bought
a new lockset and keys from the dealer. I had a '78 Datsun that had the
same problem. One day, I accidently pulled out the key while it was
running. I had to destroy the lock to turn it off, then install a new
lockset...

In both cases, I ended up with two keys, one for the ignition, one for
the doors and gas cover...

Yes, I kept them lubed with graphite, so that wasn't it...
--
Tom - Vista, CA

In article <1mta925o9tg4le6h8tl33jt0kqrtikhk8k@4ax.com>,
tbl <hate@ThatSpam.net> wrote:
[color=blue]
> My 1988 Toyota pickup ignition key always gets two very worn
> places on the flat sides near the tip of the key (about
> 3/16" from the tip). It looks like something is rubbing
> there a lot, when the key is in the ignition switch, but I
> can't imagine what. I'm on my third set of keys, and the
> latest set is now showing very noticable wear there.
>
> Anyone?[/color]

Toyota lock-sets do wear out.
I bought a new after-market ignition lock after my truck got stolen.
The cops pointed out that my ignition lock was so worn out you could
start the truck with a screwdriver.

Any lockshop can order you one.
They are really easy to swap out.
You just remove the plastic shell around the steering column, turn the
lock to the first stop and push a pin into the hole to release the lock
set.

--
Welding Instructor - South Seattle Comm. Coll.
- Divers Institute of Technology
CWI/CWE
WABO Examiner

2006 - 1988 = 18 years. You don't say how often you use the keys, but
replacing the keys every 6 years seems reasonable enough to me. I wouldn't
worry about it.





"tbl" <hate@ThatSpam.net> wrote in message
news:1mta925o9tg4le6h8tl33jt0kqrtikhk8k@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> My 1988 Toyota pickup ignition key always gets two very worn
> places on the flat sides near the tip of the key (about
> 3/16" from the tip). It looks like something is rubbing
> there a lot, when the key is in the ignition switch, but I
> can't imagine what. I'm on my third set of keys, and the
> latest set is now showing very noticable wear there.
>
> Anyone?
> --
> Thanks,tbl[/color]

On Sun, 18 Jun 2006 15:56:26 GMT, tbl <hate@ThatSpam.net>
wrote:
[color=blue]
>My 1988 Toyota pickup ignition key always gets two very worn
>places on the flat sides near the tip of the key (about
>3/16" from the tip). It looks like something is rubbing
>there a lot, when the key is in the ignition switch, but I
>can't imagine what. I'm on my third set of keys, and the
>latest set is now showing very noticable wear there.
>
>Anyone?[/color]


Thanks to all who replied.

Unfortunately, after writing the buildup, I forgot to state
my question!

What is the cause of this bizarre, localized wear? I've
been assuming it's something in the ignition switch, and not
the door locks, but that assumption may be no better than my
first post....

--
Thanks,tbl

In article <156e92t4tj6fi05dbp2fvos5jtpelfl1bt@4ax.com>,
tbl <hate@ThatSpam.net> wrote:
[color=blue]
> On Sun, 18 Jun 2006 15:56:26 GMT, tbl <hate@ThatSpam.net>
> wrote:
>[color=green]
> >My 1988 Toyota pickup ignition key always gets two very worn
> >places on the flat sides near the tip of the key (about
> >3/16" from the tip). It looks like something is rubbing
> >there a lot, when the key is in the ignition switch, but I
> >can't imagine what. I'm on my third set of keys, and the
> >latest set is now showing very noticable wear there.
> >
> >Anyone?[/color]
>
>
> Thanks to all who replied.
>
> Unfortunately, after writing the buildup, I forgot to state
> my question!
>
> What is the cause of this bizarre, localized wear? I've
> been assuming it's something in the ignition switch, and not
> the door locks, but that assumption may be no better than my
> first post....[/color]

It is likely that 2 of the pins are sticking.

--
Welding Instructor - South Seattle Comm. Coll.
- Divers Institute of Technology
CWI/CWE
WABO Examiner

"tbl" <hate@ThatSpam.net> wrote in message
news:156e92t4tj6fi05dbp2fvos5jtpelfl1bt@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On Sun, 18 Jun 2006 15:56:26 GMT, tbl <hate@ThatSpam.net>
> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>My 1988 Toyota pickup ignition key always gets two very worn
>>places on the flat sides near the tip of the key (about
>>3/16" from the tip). It looks like something is rubbing
>>there a lot, when the key is in the ignition switch, but I
>>can't imagine what. I'm on my third set of keys, and the
>>latest set is now showing very noticable wear there.
>>
>>Anyone?[/color]
>
>
> Thanks to all who replied.
>
> Unfortunately, after writing the buildup, I forgot to state
> my question!
>
> What is the cause of this bizarre, localized wear? I've
> been assuming it's something in the ignition switch, and not
> the door locks, but that assumption may be no better than my
> first post....
>[/color]

Are these Duplicate keys you have made at the local hardware store? or are
these the original keys that came with the truck?

On Wed, 21 Jun 2006 01:22:34 GMT, "Joseph Wind"
<jpg@gif.com.invalid> wrote:
[color=blue]
>
>"tbl" <hate@ThatSpam.net> wrote in message
>news:156e92t4tj6fi05dbp2fvos5jtpelfl1bt@4ax.com...[color=green]
>> On Sun, 18 Jun 2006 15:56:26 GMT, tbl <hate@ThatSpam.net>
>> wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>>My 1988 Toyota pickup ignition key always gets two very worn
>>>places on the flat sides near the tip of the key (about
>>>3/16" from the tip). It looks like something is rubbing
>>>there a lot, when the key is in the ignition switch, but I
>>>can't imagine what. I'm on my third set of keys, and the
>>>latest set is now showing very noticable wear there.
>>>
>>>Anyone?[/color]
>>
>>
>> Thanks to all who replied.
>>
>> Unfortunately, after writing the buildup, I forgot to state
>> my question!
>>
>> What is the cause of this bizarre, localized wear? I've
>> been assuming it's something in the ignition switch, and not
>> the door locks, but that assumption may be no better than my
>> first post....
>>[/color]
>
>Are these Duplicate keys you have made at the local hardware store? or are
>these the original keys that came with the truck?[/color]


One was original, the others from a local lock-shop.
--
tbl

On Thu, 22 Jun 2006 00:39:16 GMT, tbl <hate@ThatSpam.net> wrote:
[color=blue]
>On Wed, 21 Jun 2006 01:22:34 GMT, "Joseph Wind"
><jpg@gif.com.invalid> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>
>>"tbl" <hate@ThatSpam.net> wrote in message
>>news:156e92t4tj6fi05dbp2fvos5jtpelfl1bt@4ax.com...[color=darkred]
>>> On Sun, 18 Jun 2006 15:56:26 GMT, tbl <hate@ThatSpam.net>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>>My 1988 Toyota pickup ignition key always gets two very worn
>>>>places on the flat sides near the tip of the key (about
>>>>3/16" from the tip). It looks like something is rubbing
>>>>there a lot, when the key is in the ignition switch, but I
>>>>can't imagine what. I'm on my third set of keys, and the
>>>>latest set is now showing very noticable wear there.
>>>>
>>>>Anyone?
>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks to all who replied.
>>>
>>> Unfortunately, after writing the buildup, I forgot to state
>>> my question!
>>>
>>> What is the cause of this bizarre, localized wear? I've
>>> been assuming it's something in the ignition switch, and not
>>> the door locks, but that assumption may be no better than my
>>> first post....
>>>[/color]
>>
>>Are these Duplicate keys you have made at the local hardware store? or are
>>these the original keys that came with the truck?[/color]
>
>
>One was original, the others from a local lock-shop.[/color]


This may be due to inferior metals in the key blanks. I have used the
same (Honda) ignition key daily for over 26 years.

On Thu, 22 Jun 2006 11:28:58 GMT, Phisherman
<noone@nobody.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>On Thu, 22 Jun 2006 00:39:16 GMT, tbl <hate@ThatSpam.net> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>On Wed, 21 Jun 2006 01:22:34 GMT, "Joseph Wind"
>><jpg@gif.com.invalid> wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>>
>>>"tbl" <hate@ThatSpam.net> wrote in message
>>>news:156e92t4tj6fi05dbp2fvos5jtpelfl1bt@4ax.com...
>>>> On Sun, 18 Jun 2006 15:56:26 GMT, tbl <hate@ThatSpam.net>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>My 1988 Toyota pickup ignition key always gets two very worn
>>>>>places on the flat sides near the tip of the key (about
>>>>>3/16" from the tip). It looks like something is rubbing
>>>>>there a lot, when the key is in the ignition switch, but I
>>>>>can't imagine what. I'm on my third set of keys, and the
>>>>>latest set is now showing very noticable wear there.
>>>>>
>>>>>Anyone?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Thanks to all who replied.
>>>>
>>>> Unfortunately, after writing the buildup, I forgot to state
>>>> my question!
>>>>
>>>> What is the cause of this bizarre, localized wear? I've
>>>> been assuming it's something in the ignition switch, and not
>>>> the door locks, but that assumption may be no better than my
>>>> first post....
>>>>
>>>
>>>Are these Duplicate keys you have made at the local hardware store? or are
>>>these the original keys that came with the truck?[/color]
>>
>>
>>One was original, the others from a local lock-shop.[/color]
>
>
>This may be due to inferior metals in the key blanks. I have used the
>same (Honda) ignition key daily for over 26 years.[/color]


This is definitely an unusual type of wear that I'm seeing.
Maybe not unusual for 1988 Toyota pickups, but unusual from
any other keys and locks that I've used. It's not like the
whole key is wearing out, it looks more like somebody took a
hand-grinder to these two spots on opposite sides of the
key. Under a magnifier, it looks to be tiny gouges in the
same (more or less) direction of the long axis of the key.

I'm just curious, but my curiosity is costing us all too
much time.

Back to work, everybody! <g>
--
tbl