Overview of keys and ignition locks

Chapter 1: Introduction

In 1975 in the USA, you take a key in your hand and open your Datsun 260Z. Then you get in and start your car. With the same key.
A few years earlier, this was still done with two keys. In other countries, this is still done with two keys.

That sounds irritating. Perhaps it is. But as always, many details are hidden here and today we are trying to bring them to light.

And to tell the story as clearly as possible, let's start at the very beginning. In the beginning, there were several keys to the cars in the S30 series.
One key opened the doors, the tailgate and the glove compartment. The second key started the car.
From November 1970, Nissan simplified this system, especially in the USA and Canada, to give customers a little more convenience. From then on, the cars were only available with one key.
This opened all locks and started the car. The key could also be inserted into the lock in both directions. Previously, the key only had the bit on the underside and therefore had to be inserted correctly.
So it often happened that you had to turn the key the wrong way.

This luxury did not exist in Europe. Europeans had two keys on all Zs until 1978. And the ignition key only ever had one direction in which it could be inserted into the ignition lock. There was also no warning sound when opening the door and leaving the key in the ignition in Europe, Japan or Australia. This feature was also only available to Americans and Canadians.

A small side fact: from 1977, the locking direction of the locks in the doors was reversed. You now had to turn the key to the left to open the door. This was previously the other way around.
Finally, the one-key system was also continued in the USA on the Datsun 280ZX.
In Europe, on the other hand, the previous two-key system was retained. However, this was not only the case with the Z/ZX. Other Datsun models, such as the E10 Cherry, also had two keys.

The new system was also used in Japan and a single key was also used from February 1971.

Chapter 2: Ignition lock positions

The possible positions on the ignition lock are the same worldwide. There are 5 positions that can be triggered with the key. BUT, not all functions are the same everywhere.
I am quoting here from the various US manuals:

LOCK
“The ignition key can be inserted and removed at the “LOCK” position only. If you open the driver's door with the key left in the switch, a warning buzzer will warn you.”
With the WASO type steering wheel lock (we will come to this later), the steering wheel lock engages before the key is removed.
With the VOSS type, on the other hand, the steering wheel lock only engages after the key has been removed.
VOSS is the most common model here.

However, the manual for the 1976 US models contains the following text:
“Normal parking position: The ignition key can be inserted and removed at the LOCK position only. The steering can be locked by turning the key to the LOCK position, removing it, and rotating the steering wheel until the locking plunger clicks into position.
To unlock the steering, insert the key and turn it to the OFF position. For easier key operation when unlocking, rotate the steering wheel slightly to relieve pressure on the steering lock.”

OFF
In fact, there is no reference to this position until the 1976 manual:
“This position permits turning the engine off without locking the steering wheel.”

ACC (Accessories)
“The ACC position of the switch permits you to use all the electrical accessories which are controlled through the switch.”

ON
“To turn on the ignition system as well as all the other electrical circuits, turn the key ON.”

START
“The START position allows you to start the engine. After the engine has started, by releasing the key, it will automatically jump-back to the ON position.”

So far so good. But Nissan wouldn't be Nissan if there wasn't a little surprise waiting for us in this simple illustration of the various positions on the ignition switch.

In Europe, for example, the Datsun 240Z models had the GARAGE position instead of the OFF position.
The function was also different.

The only European representation of this GARAGE function known to me and a description of it can be found in the Swedish manual.

There it says:
“The ignition key can be inserted and removed in the LOCK and GARAGE positions.”

This is not a real description of the special feature. So we do some more research and find a simpler explanation by looking at how this works on a 240Z that was first delivered in Switzerland.
Here's how it works (thanks to Heiko Seiler for the tip): If the key is in the GARAGE position, it can be removed WITHOUT the steering wheel lock taking hold. This makes it easier to maneuver/push the car in the garage without the ignition key.
The key cannot be removed in the OFF position. This is only possible with LOCK - but then the steering wheel lock is active.
This is the case with all early Datsuns in Europe.

From the Datsun 260Z onwards, however, the GARAGE position was no longer available in Europe either. However, as already described above, two keys were still used.

In Japan, Australia and presumably also New Zealand, the Zs also had GARAGE on the ignition lock. In Japan, however, only early cars up to October 1970. We assume that this disappeared with the changeover to the locking system with reversible key (see below).

Side note:
In Japan, there were also other cars that had a GARAGE position. For example, the Datsun 1200 or Sunny B10 from the 1960s. It is also interesting to note that there were not only 5 positions on the ignition switch, but sometimes only 3 or 4.
Here there was GARAGE, ON, START or LOCK, OFF, ON, START or LOCK, OFF, ACC, ON, START or LOCK, GARAGE, ACC, ON, START. Depending on the equipment or option selected.

Portugal shared these “unusual” positions. OFF, ON, START or optionally LOCK, OFF, ON, START were used here.

But be careful: one should not extrapolate from Portugal to the whole of Europe. Portugal was not part of European Nissan model equality at that time. The Portuguese Nissan importer Entreposto had its origins in Mozambique (East Africa), which is why the cars in Portugal did not “fit” with the rest of the vehicles offered in Europe. But we will deal with this topic elsewhere in the future.

Chapter 3: Hardware

We have now learned a lot about different keys and different key positions. We've read about differences in different countries and know that sometimes you have to turn keys in different directions than you did a year ago.

But what we haven't looked at yet are the different ignition locks that are needed to use different keys.
And these ignition locks have a major influence on everything connected with them.

left: WASO, right: VOSS

left: VOSS, right: WASO

(Pictures taken by Kats Endo)

There were two types of ignition locks on the S30/S31 models. One is WASO and the other is VOSS. Both models are built under licence by KANTO SEIKI. Whereby, WASO comes from Sweden and VOSS (named after JOSEFF-VOSS) is a German company.
The WASO cylinders are also larger than those from VOSS, which can be clearly seen in a direct comparison. The WASO key is also longer.

Side note:
Incidentally, the rather unusual seat belts that were installed in European vehicles also come from Sweden. It is therefore quite possible that Sweden generally played a role in other EU-specific components. We will look into this.

Both types, i.e. WASO and VOSS, had a locking system with two keys in early vehicles.

The difference can also be seen in the position of the buzzer connection (see above). WASO has the connection on the side, while VOSS has the connection on the cylinder. Here is a picture of early USA and Canada models.

As mentioned above, there was a change to a new, more convenient system. Now only one key is needed to open all doors and start the engine.

In order to be able to switch to the new system, the following components were replaced by new ones - the following is a list from Nissan Service Bulletin 137 from 1971. The changes have been made since November 1970:

Door lock cylinder: 80600/01-E4100 << 80600/01-E8200
Glove compartment cylinder: 6830-E4600 << 68630-E8200
Tailgate cylinder: 90560-E4100 << 90560-E8200
Fuel filler flap (outside the USA and Canada): 78820-E4100 << 78820-E8200

In Japan, however, this change is only mentioned in the Z-3 service book from March 1973. However, a changeover in March 1971 is already noted elsewhere.
Here it states:
“Reversible keys were introduced to facilitate key operation.”

A diagram of the ignition locks used can be seen here. We compare the part numbers, countries and years. We also show which ignition locks or locking systems work with one or two keys.
Although there are overlaps, they are not the rule. As microfiches show a certain variety of parts, they often do not always show all the details. For example, years are not always present and errors are often not the exception. The table therefore serves more as an overview of the sheer mass and not as a bulletproof shopping list.

Note:
The Inition switches shown in the table are available in two sizes.
The split is as follows:
WASO 1969 and 70 - large
VOSS 1969 and 70 - small
VOSS 1971 and up - large
Kanto Seiki reversible key 1971 and up - large




VOSS types are generally installed in virtually all later cars. Compared to WASO, these have the smaller ignition switch installed with the number 48750-E7705. This is still available to buy new.
This system is available with 1 and 2 keys.
The larger switch 48750-E4700 installed with WASO is also still available new. Both can be found in various, even much later Nissan models.

Further mentions of the various keys + locking systems.

From US technical bulletins 1969-1972:
15.10.1970 - USA/Canada: VOSS type from HLS30-00001 - Here it is described that the VOSS type has been installed since the beginning. This is only half correct. As, in addition to VOSS, WASO was also available right from the start.
2 keys for ignition and steering lock and all doors, no reversible key

From Japanese service manuel Z-3 1973:
Reversible key for ignition and steering lock

From US & European manuals:
1970 US 240Z: Two keys for ignition and steering lock and all doors, no reversible key
1971 - 1973 US 240Z: 1 reversible key for ignition and steering lock and all doors
1972 Sweden 240Z (exemplary for almost all EU countries, except special cases such as Portugal): 2 keys, no reversible key for ignition and steering lock, reversible key for all doors, glove compartment, tailgate, fuel filler cap
1974-78 US 260Z+280Z: 1 key, reversible key for ignition and steering lock, all doors, glove compartment, tailgate
1978 Germany 260Z: 2 keys, no reversible key for ignition and steering lock, reversible key for all doors, glove compartment, tailgate, fuel filler cap

Chapter 3b: different keys

As already mentioned in several places, WASO and VOSS do not share a common key. The WASO key is also longer.
This means that a WASO key does not fit into a VOSS cylinder. The other way round, however, is possible: A VOSS key fits into a WASO cylinder and could theoretically also operate it.

This can pose a danger under certain circumstances. For example, if a WASO ignition is switched off with a VOSS key, the steering wheel is locked in its position before the key is removed from the ignition lock.

top: WASO, bottom: VOSS

Chapter 4: Squaring the circle

Basically, we have the following options, which can take place in various combinations.

I) There are WASO and VOSS types.
II) There are cables on the steering wheel lock for a buzzer (only in the USA and Canada).
III) There is a difference between the OFF and GARAGE function. Depending on the country. GARAGE is not available in the USA.
IV) From the end of 70/beginning of 71 there is a changeover to a key. However, this did not exist in Europe.

In terms of time, it roughly breaks down like this:

1969-1970
WASO Kanto Seiki, for very few vehicles
VOSS Kanto Seiki, on almost all vehicles (here with a smaller locking cylinder)

From 1971
Kanto Seiki reversible key with only one key and larger cylinder
Exception: Europe

Europe continued to use the VOSS Kanto Seiki system with two keys, but with a reversible key for all doors, glove compartment, tailgate, fuel filler cap

Trivia:

This sticker here is an exciting and yet unremarkable document.
We see a hand with a stop gesture and the text “STEERING LOCK”.
The KANTO SEIKI logo is also depicted.

Incidentally, we already know the symbol of the hand from the old WASO logo on the ignition lock.

KANTO SEIKI is therefore using a symbol that is already familiar and presumably recognized by customers and dealers.

We assume that this is a safety item obtained from the aftermarket. A device that is clamped between the brake pedal and the steering wheel to prevent the car from being stolen.

Although the Japanese text on the notice says that this security device was included in dexluxe-grade vehicles and was available as an option in standard-grade vehicles, we don't know whether only Fairlady Z cars were meant.

Either way, it is interesting to note that KANTO SEIKI naturally also had other products in its portfolio.

Special case: Z432-R

The Z432-R played an extra role in history. As can be clearly seen in many photos, the car had the ignition lock on the center tunnel behind the gear stick.
This ignition lock only had 3 positions (OFF, ON, START) and was considerably smaller than the WASO and VOSS types.
The key was also smaller and had the imprint “NISSAN MOTOR CO”.

Incidentally, a similar ignition lock still exists for a forklift truck. So it is quite possible that even back then Nissan did not use a pure car component.