New Disco 1 owner - ignition/door key question

[Disco-very]

Just picked up my new to me 98' LE Disco. Overall a nice truck with low miles, but I have found a couple of issues -

The ignition key engagement is funky. You have to wiggle the key just right to get it to turn. I found a thread on a different forum for fixing this, basically involves grinding off the parts of the tumbler that are not being engaged by the key. Are there better options for repairing this? I can post the link if it is okay to link to other forums?

The front doors and gas door will not open with the key. Maybe the same issue as the ignition key? Or maybe the PO had something re - keyed. idk.

My wife will be driving this truck with our kids in it, I don't want her to have any issues getting in or out or starting it. Though she has figured out the ignition key and can start it easier then I can.

Any thoughts or suggestions on how to proceed would be appreciated.

 

[dcarr1971]

If you're averse to fixing it by either chaving down the tumbler pins, or even just removing them, then you need to just bite the bullet and but a new ignition and matching door/fuel locks.

One other option is to pull them all and take them to a good locksmith to have him re-key them all to match a new key.

 

[Disco-very]

I'm not opposed to knocking down the tumbler pins, just looking for other options.

Is it most likely the same problem for the door and gas keys as the ignition? I wonder how the PO put gas in it, the fuel door was locked closed when I bought it. I was able to pry it open without damaging anything.

 

[d1driver]

Can Land Rover get you another key made by the VIN? I have no idea, but maybe the keys you have are not exactly right. Maybe just close enough. Worth a shot anyway.

 

[post]

spray some WD-40 into the ignition and see if that helps.

 

[Beagle Bones]

On my old '04 D2 I broke the one and only key I had while opening a package. Stupid I now know when you think about the cost of the key, but as it turns out it wasn't the right key. I went LR and got a new key cut per the vin (as the previous poster mentioned) and then the locks worked flawlessy. I hadn't noticed a problem until I had the correct key. I just figured it was an old truck. Or try some really good lubricant. I'd be hesitant to grind away at the tumblers.

 

[Disco-very]

Thanks for the replies. One of the keys appears to be newer, still, it would not hurt to try and have a new key made to the VIN. The truck came from a wholesale auction, so who knows where the keys came from. I'm sure having a new key made at my local LR dealer could not cost more then $1000 anyway

 

[96discoI]

I consider my temperamental keys just a really good theft deterrant. Good luck stealing my truck. Even with the key. Only I know how to do it and that's just fine with me...my wife on the other hand...I guess when she snaps it off I'll get around to fixing it. GOTTA LOVE THE ROVERS

 

[Butch]

I have found that if you do not have an actual LR key or one identical to it, the shaft of the key winds up being to short because the head of the key (the part that connect to the key ring) cannot get inside the ring around the ignition.