larrysb

Of all the stupid things to do. I set the key down to grab some stuff from the trunk. I happened to set it down right over the trunk lid latch. Forgot to grab em and brought the trunk lid down. No damage to the car, but I was shocked to see the key bent in the middle into sort of an "L" shape of about 30 or degrees. Managed to beat it back straight with a hammer to drive home from work.

I know there's a resistor chip in it, what's the process for getting a replacement key?

Stock Man

You need the vats number of the key you have. The list below will tell you what key you have after you measure the resistance of the pellet you have.
Here are the VATS numbers that go with each resistance.

1 - 392 ohms
2 - 523
3 - 681
4 - 887
5 - 1.13k
6 - 1.47k
7 - 1.87k
8 - 2.37k
9 - 3.01k
10 - 3.74k
11 - 4.75k
12 - 6.04k
13 - 7.50k
14 - 9.53k
15 - 11.80k

Just put the ohm meter across the pellet on your key. When reading it make sure you put the decimal in the right place.
Your resistance reading might not be exact, but it should be close (if you get 5K ohms it's probably a #11).

If you just take your key in they will replace it with one of similar value. To bad you bent it but at least you didn't damage the car.

rws.1

the expensive approach... go to the dealer..$45 +/-
The cheaper approach go to a locksmith... they need to use an interrogator to measure the resisitance and tell them which pellet to use

The least espensive approach is to use a digital volt meter , measure the ohms yourself. They go onto ebay and buy a black Vats key with that resistance and take it anywhere to be cut. $15+/-

if you search Vats codes on the C5 general section you will find several posts that give you the key (pellet) number for the measured resistance
Good Luck

vertc51116

I went to my dealership to get a spare key and the mechanic just stuck the key in a 'reader'. He then programmed the new aky and cut it like any other key. It's a simple process and takes on time at all. My key was free so I'm not sure ho much it'll cost you. I have heard that is gets a little pricy, up to about $70. <<--someone correct me if that is wrong.

Mad_Maxxx

My keymaker charged only $35 for a new key

matt24

Did the samething when i first got my vette last year, cost my 70 bucks for new key. Not to bad but that was stupid of me, ecklers has keys for 14.99 all you need to know is what resistor it is and make a cheap spare.

Vetteman Jack

At least the key still worked. Can get one at a dealer or maybe a locksmith.