P1800 Ignition lock and key question

Glad to see that there have been one or two questions related to the removal of the dashboard ignition/key switch inside the car. My dilemma is that I lost my keys, unfortunately and I have tried a million others from my local Volvo dealer with no success. So what to do I wonder ?? Maybe someone have had something similar happen. I am unable to remove the ignition switch inside the car since the key is missing, so what is my next best option ?? Thanks for any ideas !! I am stuck and the car runs like a charm , so needless to say, I am in some pain....

All help is appreciated

Anders

[Andrew (UK)]

In a word 'locksmith'. Not one of those cowboys with a cordless drill but a proper old fashioned one who can pick it for you and then get a key made to fit or else buy a new cylinder once the old one is removed.

Andrew

[mike gilbert]

Real grief and a regular problem (the key usually breaks off in the lock). If a locksmith cannot help - and i've never found one who could - you have two choices.
1) look under the dash at the barrell casing. From behind, at about 1-2 o'clock, you will see a small tab stciking through a hole in the casing. Its only a tiny little stud but that is what keeps the barell in the casing. If you can get something like a tiny dremmel grinder on it and cut it away you can pull the ignition barell out from the front. (you;ll need a new coil and ignition casing but they are easily available).
2) Cover the dash in protective material around the ignition (to protect the dash) and drill out the barrell using progressively larger drill bits. This will save the coil but you will need a new barrell.
Neither is easy but I both are possible with a little care, for goodness sake don't let the drill slip and cut the dash though.
Mike

Gentlemen thank you for the advice, I was afraid it did not have an easy solution, but at least I now know how to proceed forward with this. I believe I will try both solutions, living here in the San Francisco Bay Area there might be some good lock guru's I can get a hold of and if not, drilling out the whole ignition part and casing....here I go....again thanks a lot for the care and advice !!
Anders