Key for 1992 Plymouth Acclaim

I have a friend who needs a key for a 1992 Plymouth Acclaim.

1. She has a key that works in the ignition and the doors but not the
trunk. When I explained this to the parts guy at the local Chrysler
dealer, he suggested that the key might be a "valet" key which are
designed not to open the trunk by using a different blank. In other
words, the key she has may have been made on a "valet" blank instead of
a regular blank.

Is that a possibility? If so, can she take the key to a lock smith have
them make a key that will work in the ignition, doors and trunk using
the proper blank?

2. Not to confuse the issue further but she has a separate key that
works in the trunk but not the doors or the ignition. I just don't
understand how that is possible. I live over 1000 miles away so I can't
see for my self.

 

Hi...

How about the trunk lock failed, and was replaced by another from
perhaps a junkyard ? Or even the whole trunk lid was replaced?

Why not ask her to visit a locksmith; see if he can't redo the
tumblers in the trunk lock to match the ignition key?

Or - the easy way. Pretend it's a GM and carry two keys

Ken

 

I suspect you are correct as this started about 5 years ago. She's had
the car since 1992.

Sounds like a plan.

Right. I have one of those. Works okay for me.

 

*Valet* keys were available for those cars. They fit the doors and
ignition, but not the truck or the glove compartment. My dealer
accidently made a set for me, when I wanted the regular one. The keys
were clearly marked *valet.*

I would suggest taking it to a qualified locksmith, who should be able
to make a *regular* set.

 

If you look at the key and it is the same cut as the other one that works
the trunk but a different size it is because its a valet key.
But the fact is.. since you have another key that opens only the trunk and
not the doors or ignition switch I would guess the trunk lock had been
replaced with a different coded key.

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

That is possible. Another possibility is that the trunk lock was replaced
at some time in the past, and no longer matches the rest of the locks on
the vehicle.

Probably not, but one possibility is to have the door/ignition grind cut
on one side of the two-sided key blank, and the trunk grind cut on the
other side. Then, use some paint to paint half of the key head and just
memorise whether the painted side needs to be up or down to open the
trunk.

 

The key has to be cut on a y154. It is a common mistake. All the keys
go on, but only one will work. Y154 works 88-92...Y155 works on 93
only...157 works on 96 and up.

 

The key has to be cut on a y154. It is a common mistake. All the keys
go on, but only one will work. Y154 works 88-92...Y155 works on 93
only...157 works on 96 and up.
=========================
FASCINATING
keys intrigue me
so common and yet.......
h

 

What happened was: 5 years ago she took the car into the dealer for
regular service and the dealer lost the master key. She could not find
the other master key so she had to use the valet key. The valet key
would not work in the trunk. The dealer said he could not provide her
with a new master key so he gave her a key that would work in the trunk.
She says it will not work in the ignition. She said the dealer did not
give her a new trunk lock.

I don't know why the dealer could not provide her with a new master key.
I suspect that he did in fact put in a new trunk lock and gave her a key
that would work in it. How else would you explain the fact that the key
that works in the trunk lock does not work in the ignition from day one?

She wants me to call Chrysler, give them the VIN, and see if I can get a
new master key. I don't know if Chrysler can provide a new master key
but even if they could, I don't know if it would solve the problem in
light of the possibility (probability) of 3. above.

The key that works in the ignition is cut on a Y157 blank but according
to others in this thread it should have been cut in a Y154.

 

The key she has that works in the ignition only was cut on a Y157 blank
which means 96 and up. If she had the key cut on a Y154, are you saying
that it should work in ignition, doors and trunk PROVIDED the trunk lock
wasn't changed?

Is it possible that a key could have been cut on a blank that works in
the trunk only but not the ignition? If that is true and that is what
happened, then having the key cut on a Y154 should work. Right?

 

Hi...

I'm not a mechanic, and almost brand new to Chrysler after a
lifetime of GM's, but from what I've learned so far...

Wouldn't the ultimate test of whether it's the wrong blank, wrong
key, or different trunk lock be easily determined by testing
which of her keys would lock/unlock the glove compartment?

Take care.

Ken

 

The dealer could have very well cut her a new key without a problem. I could
cut you a master key right now if I had your serial number.
If the trunk key does not fit the ignition then one of the locks were
changed. and more ten likely it was the trunk lock.

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

The dealer did cut a new master key 5 years ago but apparently used a
Y157 instead of a Y154. I learned further today that in addition to the
Y157 that works in the ignition, the key that works in trunk but not in
the ignition is a Y154. Perhaps when the dealer couldn't get the Y157 to
work in the trunk, they changed the trunk lock and then made a key for
the trunk on a Y154. Doesn't make a let of sense and pure speculation on
my part.

I convinced her to take it to a locksmith and let them fix it because I
suspect the locksmith will have to modify the trunk lock.