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[LC0112G]

to get a new key cut. Aaaaarrrrggggghhhh. So Saturday afternoon I decided to swap out the ignition switch on the LC, hoping it would solve a high-ish resistance in the battery feed. Having done so, the ignition key wouldn't turn. No idea why - it was working before I swapped the switch, but now nada. The key still opens the door, boot and glovebox, but no chance it'll turn the ignition.

So read up on t'interweb on how to remove the ignition barrel, and (long story short) after much wiggling and jiggling it pops out. Strip the barrel down to remove the tumblers and no-idea how it ever worked. Probably 6 of the 10 tumblers sticking proud of the barrel. So off home to collect my spare 'master' key which has never been used (well less than 10 times probably). Back to the man cave, and still some of the tumblers are proud.

So next step is to get a new key cut. Can I find anywhere local to cut to the key number? Can I heck. So I take my master key and off down the local key cutters (plural!)

Shop #1: A local hardware shop. Sorry can't cut those, we can only do the ones with 'dimples' or yale type.

Shop #2: A major UK wide chain. Sorry, can't cut those because company policy is not to cut keys without imbedded immobilsers for security reasons. What about if I drive the car here, complete with log book, photo ID, utility bill, passport, driving licence and tape measure (so you can measure my inside leg). No sir sorry - company policy.

Shop #3: A small local engravers. After half an hour of faffing about - sorry our machine won't cut those.

Shop #4: Different branch of same UK wide chain. Yes we can cut them, but we don't have the blanks in stock. AhhhhHaaa - I just happen to have 3 blanks in my pocket that I bought just in case many years ago. Sorry sir, we can't cut blanks we don't supply for insurance purposes. W@nkers.

Shop #5: The third local branch of same UK wide chain. Yes we can cut them, and yes we have the blanks in stock. We're not really supposed to do it, but. Anyway £30 for the first key, and £15 for the second. Still won't cut my own blanks.

Then off down the VX dealer - sorry sir can't help. All Carlton/Senator stuff has been removed from EPC. If you can get me a part number I can look it up to see if it's available.....

Anyway, tomorrow will be spent selecting the best set of tumblers to fit the new keys.

[STEMO]

Dear me! I can choose several parts of that text where my toys would have been well and truly out of the pram.

[Andy B]

...... decided to swap out the ignition switch ...

I've never seen you as a bloke that uses Americanisms Malc . .. Ya'll 

[TheBoy]

My key cutting attempt yesterday....

Found out Brackley has a (independent) cobblers/key cutters. Wow.

Drive down, show him the XJ key, he says he can't do those.

"What if I supply the blank?" I ask.  "In that case, yes", he replies.  I pull the blank out of the new keyfob, and hand over with the original, and 20 minutes and £12 later, all done


Granted, I was a bit shocked at £12, esp as I supplied the blank, but its been a while since I got any key cut, and it did take longer than most keys I've had cut.

[Varche]

We can expect more and more of this “ can”t do” milarky. No thinking outside the box permitted.