Painless ignition key

[bfluegel]

I'm about to give up on this. I wanted a spare key for the ignition switch that is part of the Painless harness. PO only gave me a single key. No one in town has a blank for that key. Even a real locksmith with a real shop just gave me a blank look. Painless doesn't have blanks, and all they knew was that the switch was made by Cole Hersee. CH makes dozens of ignition switches and at least three different blanks. I couldn't find any part number on my switch, but one of the photos on their website looks just like my key. It took 3 phone calls to get an engineer there who told me that the photo was part number 83373. They only sell through distributors, so I found one and ordered two blanks for six bucks each. The 83373 blanks arrive and they don't look anything like my key or the CH photo.
So there's only one key in the entire universe that starts my Bronco. Does that mean I'm safe from theft?

 

[matts70]

I think you're safe from theft as long as hammers and straight screwdrivers are illegal in your city/county/state. Otherwise, that's not much of a security system you got there

 

[Viperwolf1]

How about just getting a new ignition switch and cylinder?

 

[70_Steve]

Painless does have a forum on their web site. You might try asking on there.

 

[Nightmare Bronc]

Does the cylinder come out of the Painless switch like the OEM? If so just replace the cylinder. If not replace switch and cylinder.

 

[bptommy]

If im understanding your problem correctly you just need the key blanks right. this is where I get mine and they have online ordering, then when you get your key blanks take them to a real locksmith and have the keys made. If I missed something then apologies. ;D

http://www.mrlock.com/eshop/locks/index.html?bread_reset=1

link to the bronco key

http://www.mrlock.com/eshop/locks/17720.html

If this isnt the right key can you post a picture of the key, I bet with another set of eyes on it we can help you find a solution.

the picture on the Cole Hersee website for part number 83373 on the bottom says key pictured may not be the same key, is it what yours looks like though.
The picture for that part number on the Cole Hersee website says key shown may not be the exact key in small print below the picture.

I have a new painless set in the box at home and see what I have, at work now

 

[bfluegel]

Thanks everyone for the help!

How about just getting a new ignition switch and cylinder?

If you mean another Painless switch, yes that would probably even be cheaper. But it's not a very elegant solution, because after replacing the switch, I would have just two keys and those also could never be duplicated.
I could go to an OEM switch, but I believe someone said that the wiring receptacle for that is unavailable?

Does the cylinder come out of the Painless switch like the OEM? If so just replace the cylinder. If not replace switch and cylinder.

Not as easily, because there isn't a little hole like on the OEM. The locksmith said that it was possible if I bring in the switch. Since it doesn't use any kind of receptacle, I would have to disconnect every wire.

...
the picture on the Cole Hersee website for part number 83373 on the bottom says key pictured may not be the same key, is it what yours looks like though.
The picture for that part number on the Cole Hersee website says key shown may not be the exact key in small print below the picture.

I have a new painless set in the box at home and see what I have, at work now

I think Cole Hersee used the same photo for different key blanks, so I can't trust those. The photo I referred to in my original post is this unlabeled one. It looks like a Painless key (and is different from Ford keys).

 

[Viperwolf1]

If you mean another Painless switch, yes that would probably even be cheaper. But it's not a very elegant solution, because after replacing the switch, I would have just two keys and those also could never be duplicated.
I could go to an OEM switch, but I believe someone said that the wiring receptacle for that is unavailable?

You can go back to an original switch. I'm sure someone has an original connector from a wiring upgrade just collecting dust. And surely someone can tell you how to wire it correctly. If you want to get fancy with it you could have your locksmith key the switch just like your doors. Then you only have to carry 1 key.

 

[bptommy]

I'm with viper wolf now that I see your switch and key, I would rekey everything to the door locks and an original ford key. may cost you a little coin but may be the least painful solution. Would all so negate any issues in the future if you need more keys or you sell. sorry I know that probably wasnt what you had hoped for. Ill still look at my painless kit whan i get home see if I can come up with something better.

 

[DirtDonk]

Centech (www.centechwire.com) sells an adapter (http://www.centechwire.com/catalog/broncos/brs1s.shtml) for use with their harness and an original type switch for customers that don't want a new type.
Not sure if it would work with your setup as I haven't seen the Painless and don't know if yours is an old one or a new one anyway.
At the very least though, like was suggested, re-wiring it to make it work with an OEM type switch shouldn't be too much hassle I wouldn't think?

Good luck.

Paul

 

[DirtDonk]

Forgot to add that you can then get a full lock and cylinder kit from some of the vendors that would have matched door lock cylinders along with a new one for the ignition switch.

All of this isn't exactly an inexpensive proposition, but it beats the heck out of the hassle you've had getting a straight answer about the key so far.
You'd think someone at C/H could easily answer that for you. But I guess not.

Paul

 

[bfluegel]

Sounds like most everyone is in agreement . The CH switch wasn't that impressive to begin with - kind of a sloppy feel. I'll look into getting the original.
Thanks!

 

[eric0o1]

the Painless harness comes with a factory style ignition switch, meaning the tumbler can be replaced. The ignition switch you have is just an off the self universal switch.Replacing it with a factory switch would be no problem at all. Follow the link and go to page 33 and you will find a diagram showing how to connect our harness to a factory switch. Even if you have an older harness, the new harness shares the same #900 series numbers we print on each wire for circuit identification.http://www.painlessperformance.com/Manuals/10114.pdf

The ignition switch you have, as far as I am aware, all of the keys are different for those switches. Meaning, if we order in 100 switches, chances are all 100 will be keyed different. I am sure there are duplicates, as the factory who produces them can only make so many different keys before they run out different combinations. I am also unaware of any identifing marks on the switch to help identify which key is used with each switch. I can say that someone actually having a matching key to your ignition switch is very unlikely. However even with a new factory style ignition switch you are still not safe from theft, the starter solenoid can easily be jumpered. If you have an ignition bypass wire on the "I" terminal, power can be fed to the coil to allow the vehicle to start. Granted the coil will eventualy burn up, but not before the theif an oppurtunity to get away.