Odd fun fact. Glad I don't live in Europe (Usually).

I'll defer to your experience and check with my local dealer next time I pick up parts.

The ignition switch is just another of the many weird half-arsed things that the PO did. The guy was certainly no "irv gordon".

Recall my upside-down delta link bushing? Strut mounts neglected until the the strut punched a hole in the hood? crappy aftermarket wheels? I've discovered so many dumbass things, I'm really surprised it actually made it to 200K before I found it.


Regarding the keys, the dealer parts guy explained that I indeed had the Valet key original to the car (only opened the driver's door), and that the difference was the shape of the end of the groove in the key itself. Valet key groove ends in an angle, master key groove ends in a square. He was right, the dupe of the valet key made on a master-key blank could unlock my door, trunk, and glovebox. It was a moment of euphoria.

The ignition key cut was substantially different from the valet key confirming that my ignition switch was probably replaced with a junkyard unit. It'd be around $400 to get the correct ignition switch.

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I guess an option would be to get all the lock cylinders and VIN from a junkyard car and do a complete swap...