Stolen Honda

My '92 honda accord was stolen and recovered a few days later. Neither
the door lock nor the ignition lock show any sign of tampering. How is
this possible?

 

Someone gave them a key?

 

More likely, the dealer made them a key from the VIN.

 

Did you buy it used? A previous owner or one of their acquaintances may
have kept a key.

 

The Arizona Republic ran a story several years ago about Hondas being stolen
by young theives who used Honda keys that were worn down by scraping them on
cement curbs. There wasn't a lot of attribution in the story, so I can't say
whether it was accurate, but there is a possibility that Hondas of that era
had less than secure tumblers.

I used to own a Lotus Europa, and I once met another Lotus owner on the
street. He asked me to compare keys with him and I was amazed to find our
keys were cut identically! Apparently there were only a few keys used by
Lotus in those days.

Mike

 

In that case, the vehicle would probably not have been recovered. Doing that
is a lot of work and risk, and requires the vehicle be someplace regularly
or for at least a few hours so the VIN can be copied, the key acquired, and
the car taken. Anybody who goes to that effort (and risk of investigation)
isn't out for a joy ride.

Among the possibilities, a more likely one is that somebody had a Honda key
and wandered around trying doors until one opened. So much depends on where
it was stolen from - if it was from in front of a home the car was more
likely to have been targeted, while if it was in a large parking lot the
wanderer with a key is the way to bet. In addition, if the exterior was
stripped (we aren't told) and the interior left intact, a tow truck rises to
the top of the suspicion list.

Mike

 

There were only a few Loti, let alone Europas, ever...

 

how is this possible?

1. go to a large supermarket & tell the management that you've locked
yourself out of your car. they'll send the guy out with the tools &
they'll have it open in seconds.

2. call aaa & tell them you've locked yourself out... they'll send a
locksmith. he'll cut you a new key in about 5 minutes using nothing but
a blank, a file & a magnifying glass.

3. if your car's 13 years old, the tumblers have worn the key barrel
substantially. many keys will now fit.

 

Similar to Caterpillar equipment today. One key fits all!

Brian

 

In the seventies there were four Lotus Europa cars in town here.

Brian

 

Brian Smith wrote:


"RWM" <> wrote in message news:...



There were only a few Loti, let alone Europas, ever...



In the seventies there were four Lotus Europa cars in town here. Brian


Sounds like a whole container-load went missing near NS!  ;-)

In a year, Lotus East sold maybe that many all over the US east coast....

 

Not our fault if no one wanted them down there {:^)

Brian

 

Dojn't you have to show some proof you actually own the car for a dealer to
make keys from a VIN?

 

Around here, a locksmith will ask to see the padlock that you want the key
cut for (if you have the key code only).

Brian

 

A true story. Once, many years ago, I parked my silver Dodge Colt
Vista Wagon in a grocery store parking lot, went inside, and bought
something (probably beer). I came out, got in a silver Dodge Colt
Vista Wagon, unlocked the door, put my key in the ignition, started
it, and drove off. Then I noticed a package of cigarettes on the dash
(I don't smoke) and some other odd things. The car was not mine! I
circled the parking lot and returned the car to the same spot, got
out, got my stuff, found my car, and went on my way.



Elliot Richmond
Freelance Science Writer and Editor

 

A lady friend of mine locked her keys in her Camaro,and I took her to a
dealer to get a new set made,and they wanted to see an insurance card with
the lady's name and VIN from her car on it.(Florida)

 

It's good to see that some businesses are at least making an effort to keep
everyone legal <g>.

Brian

 

Probably someone had the same key. I used to own a 1984 Toyota corolla, and
was looking at buying a newer car. It was a 1989 Toyota Celica, and it was
left parked in a lot so I could go look at it. I tried my key for my
corolla, just for fun, and sure enough it fit and opened the door....

 

They used a "slimjim" to gain access to the vehicle....can't explain how
they were so clean in starting the car though. FWIW, if you have a
Mitsubishi Mighty Max PU, you can gain entry into the locked cab with a
rectangular shaped cardboard box cut out.

 

My son and his wife were locked out of their '89 Accord LXi when we were
visiting a couple years ago. I called road service and the guy who showed up
was confident he would get it open. The Slim Jim (his first attempt) simply
didn't do the job - there was nothing he could hook to move it in a
direction he could use. (Slim Jims are made for the type of lock that lift
up to unlock.) Ultimately he used two padded pry bars and a set of padded
wedges to pull the top rear of the driver's door away from the body and he
went through that gap to get a hook on the door lock. It took him maybe 15
or 20 minutes, and he was very conspicuous while doing it. He really earned
his $35!

Mike