Hi, I'm new to this board and I've been going through the exact project that Marvelous3 is doing - I am trying to get keys cut for the 1990 244 that I purchased from the impound lot of Alexandria, Virginia last month for $270.
Marvelous3, can you ask your locksmith if he is interested in doing mail-order work to cut keys from door locks?
I've spent some time searching for locksmith services recently, and haven't found anything in that price range that is convenient.
Info on cutting new keys for these locks is somewhat dated and scattered on the forums, so here is a summary of what I have recently encountered when trying to get a new key:
The locksmith that does work for the city impound lot wanted $280 to cut keys (no explanation to justify that price). The Volvo dealer in Rockville, MD wants $52 for a key cut from the VIN, but that would require me two trips across town (because they need to see the title and my ID, and then they won't mail me the new key), so this means at least a half day off work to fit that in.
I already purchased a blank key from
this locksmith on Ebay, but when I asked him if he could cut a key if I mailed him a door lock, he said he was retired and didn't do that work anymore.
I found another local automotive locksmith who said he can cut me a single key if I pull the lock for $150, but it may cost more once he learns there is no key code stamped on my lock. In sum, if there was a locksmith that would do this work by mail, it would be convenient.
Meanwhile, I got my 244 to start by pulling the ignition switch -- some have said it is easier to pull the switch by removing the speedometer cluster, but I found the best way was to remove the drivers seat and lay down below to reach up to the ignition switch -- once I had pulled the wire receptacle from the back of the ignition switch, the 2 flathead screws came off with relative ease. Finding a screwdriver of exactly the right length is necessary.
BTW, I'm very impressed with the TB forum. I've already met one board member, Districtmotors, who helped me source some stock rims to replace the 16" rims that the PO put only on the back wheels and had inserted Jeep springs to get them to clear. This is my second Volvo - I sold my '88 245 in 2002, but I've spent a lot of time working over the years on my '77 Volkswagen Westfalia camper, so Bosch fuel injection is somewhat familiar to me.