Forgot my most important question - need a new key!!??

nelly · Post by **nelly** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 12:37 pm

I posted last night about bringing home an 84 Spree, thanks for the great responses and tips!!

But I forgot to mention my most important question. The owners that gave us the Spree didn't have any keys to go with it!! I was able to remove the rear side panels by removing some screws to get at the engine and drain some fluids etc....but I'm going to need a key to actually start the beast.

So, can I bring in the VIN or make/model etc to my Honda dealer to get a replacement key - or do I need to look for a locksmith? I noticed on the rear key thingy (beneath the seat) the number 60 engraved on the inside of the lock - would this help?

Thanks again everyone!
Steve

hondaman · Post by **hondaman** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 9:22 pm

Maybe Honda dealer could get a key to match. Dont know for sure.
Otherwise I know there is an ignition switch with the key for sale on E-bay right now. If you don't want to go that route you could try the parts wanted forum in the other section of this sight.

ferchja · Post by **ferchja** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 9:59 pm

Take the cylinder from the side panel into a locksmith they can make a key for it. Even without one to trace...have done it before with other locks.

nelly · Post by **nelly** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 10:49 am

Called my local Honda dealer, and ordered a new cylinder for $55 canadian. I figured a locksmith would probably charge me the same to copy the key and I was already at the Honda shop anyhow so.....
Also got a new battery $23
A new rear brake calge $22
Spark Plug $4

Total so far......about $100

Hoping all I'll need to do is add some fresh gas and see what happens.
Will post my 'results' when the new cylinder comes in this weekend.

One quick question, I have a sneeking suspicion that the battery they gave me wasn't charged. I had them fill it and they said they would charge it, but when I went back to pick it up, the kid at the counter gave me a strange look when I said I was there to pick it up......anyhow, tried connecting a simple lightbulb with wires to the battery to see if I could get it to light from the battery - should this work? It didn't, so thinking it's not charged. Any other test I can do? Kind of a pain to drive all the way back to the dealer, if it is in fact charged.

burnt_toast · Post by **burnt_toast** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 11:13 am

heres some tips. when they fill the battery with the fluid (ur lucky the did it, i had to do it manually) it will already hold a charge, it does not need to be charged up after that.

*edit* you can check to see if its charged by connecting a voltmeter to the ends, thatll let u know. if you dont have one borrow one from a neighbor, or u can buy an analog one from walmart for like $10, it will come in handy later on too.

as for needing a key to start it, you dont. when i first got my spree it was missing the key too. since your already getting a new cylinder, what you can do is tear off the 4 wires connected to the current cylinder. you can basically hotwire it and then try to start it up. this method worked for me till i ordered a new cylinder too.

good luck getting it running!

ferchja · Post by **ferchja** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 11:16 am

Needs to be a 12v light. I would use a multimeter and take a reading. Off the spree it should show >11V if it is charged.

nelly · Post by **nelly** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 3:04 pm

what you can do is tear off the 4 wires connected to the current cylinder. you can basically hotwire it.....

Great idea.....now I just have to get the darn battery charged and try the old hotwire idea. Can't wait to see what's going to happen.

As far as fluids, filters,etc..... is just draining the gas enough? Do I need to drain/change the oil too? Does oil go bad? (Heck - I figure if it sits in the ground for a million years, a couple years in the Spree's tank should be OK )

Steve

Post by **noiseguy** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 4:08 pm

Before starting it, you should drain and refill the oil and oil tubes with fresh 2-stroke injector oil (not premix.) See the service manual for details. Also, remove the air cover and inspect the filter element, these have been known to break down over time. They are about $4 new from the Honda shop.

I'd definately try hotwiring it b/f spending money on parts.

Ned · Post by **Ned** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 11:21 pm

My '85 Spree was missing its key too. So I pulled off the ignition switch and took it to a lock and key joint. They charged $25 to make a new key. It was $73 for a new ignition switch from my Honda shop. Go figure.

nelly · Post by **nelly** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 11:29 pm

Hey Burnt Toast - tried the hot wire trick - worked like a charm, until I decided to see what would happen when I touched the green wire to the red (or black - can't remember). Blew the fuse of course
Can you tell it's been a while since I tinkered with engines........

Anyhow - new fuse, lights work except the headlight, and the turn signals don't actually flash - but figure that's just another fuse too. (Any comments?)

The engine turns over, sounds great, no scraping or grinding, but she didn't fire up

YET!. Took the spark plug out, connected it, and tried the starter again, but I can't see any spark. So going to check out the PDF manual posted here to try and see where to start troubleshooting.

Anyhow - so far so fun!!
Will keep posting on progress....

vette76 · Post by **vette76** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 11:31 pm

Ned wrote:My '85 Spree was missing its key too. So I pulled off the ignition switch and took it to a lock and key joint. They charged $25 to make a new key. It was $73 for a new ignition switch from my Honda shop. Go figure.

not only that but then the seat lock is different too. unless they include that also.

nelly · Post by **nelly** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 11:40 pm

Just had a thought about why not getting a spark at the plug.

I'm touching/holding the red and black together then hitting the starter.......should I be connecting the other two wires together (green and black/white stripe)?

Thanks for any thoughts,
Steve

burnt_toast · Post by **burnt_toast** » Wed Jun 22, 2005 11:21 am

glad my idea could help.

It's been a real long time since I saw how the hotwiring went, but i think that might be right. this might sound crazy, but at one point i didnt have any of the 4 wires connected, and it started. 8O

one set of wires lets the starter spin, the other gives spark. just keep trying different combinations.

vette76 · Post by **vette76** » Wed Jun 22, 2005 11:56 am

i cant really remember but i believe u connect red and black together which seems weird.that is for power. thats it. the way the circuit works is if u connect the other 2 it grounds out and doesnt start. thats the way it is on the elite and i believe my spree is the same way.but u can still use the kill on the handlebar. just dont park it out of your site until u get a new ignition. doesnt even have to be for a spree. i have a boat ignition in mine.lol.close enough.

if u have a kickstarter, disconnect the whole plug and kick it. it should start.

burnt_toast · Post by **burnt_toast** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 10:28 am

oh yeh! i remembered how i did it. u disconnect all the wires, then use the relay under the seat to start it! you just take off the case and manually press it to get the starter going. it gives u a shock so its good to use a glove. good idea for anybody else with key ignition problems.