Vin number and keys?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,269
Likes: 3
From: St. Charles IL
Cruise-In 5-6-7-8-9-11-12 Veteran
A CI-6 Car Show Winner
Vin number and keys?
Okay, myth or fact? Can a would-be car thief have keys made for your car if he or she has the VIN number?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 12
From: Massapequa Park NY
Originally Posted by BBShark
Fact.
I agree, but depending on the year the information to match the VIN to the key code my no longer be available. Tried to get door keys for my 70 project car & ran into a brick wall. Even tried through a Chevy dealer that has been under the same ownership for 50+ years.
Even if its available you have to be able to provide proof of ownership. To legitimate businesses that is
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 26,555
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From: Florida
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
I guess it has happened, but it would certainly be irresponsible on the part of the dealer without proof of ownership. Of course, we all know there are lots of irresponsible dealers.
Basically, I never let my car out of my sight and it is always garaged.
Basically, I never let my car out of my sight and it is always garaged.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,136
Likes: 477
From: NM
Originally Posted by Big Fish
Okay, myth or fact? Can a would-be car thief have keys made for your car if he or she has the VIN number?
But it can happen on some of the new high end luxo cars.
tom...
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Connecticut
I had new keys made for my 73 at a dealer. He measured the old worn out key and figured out the original pin heights. Their machine can be programmed to cut a key from those heights. He even had some of the old blanks, they are available as repros. If you lost your keys, some dealers still have the old book that cross references the code on the tumbler to the pin heights for their machine. You have to take the tumbler out to read the code. Joe
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 6
From: Nevada City California
If a "would be" car thief, could get a look at either the original dealers invoice or Corvette Order Copy sheet, or the warranty pamphlet that the POP is attached to, these documents show the key codes ( at least on my paperwork) and could have keys made from this info.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 26,555
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From: Florida
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
C2 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Long story, but I once loss the keys to my truck. So, I was stuck in a parking lot in Miami 360 miles from home.
Called a locksmith. When he arrived, he was in the truck in minutes and had an ignition key made within 15 minutes.
$90 bucks!
BTW, I still use that key!
Called a locksmith. When he arrived, he was in the truck in minutes and had an ignition key made within 15 minutes.
$90 bucks!
BTW, I still use that key!
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 298
Likes: 1
I am an Insurance fraud theft investigator and attend at least 2-3 siminars a year to keep up with what a thief can and cant do. A licensed locksmith can do certain things a thief cant (unless he is a locksmith). C-3 cars cannot have keys duplicated from just the VIN. If the key code is available yes a key can be made. GM uses several different key paths as any of you know if trying to get locks coded or keys made and changes them every year.
The late model cars use either a VATS or passkey system. This system kills the electric fuel pump during attempted start-up without the proper key. To go into all the particulars would take pages. The latest systems known in the industry is called a transponder. If you have an electric fuel pump they now make an add on remote controlled fuel pump relay to deter theft. Most late model cars with transponder systems can't get duplicate keys without proof of ownership. Some high end Foreign cars BMW,MB the keys have to come from the factory.
Remember any car can be stolen !( ever hear of a tow truck).
The late model cars use either a VATS or passkey system. This system kills the electric fuel pump during attempted start-up without the proper key. To go into all the particulars would take pages. The latest systems known in the industry is called a transponder. If you have an electric fuel pump they now make an add on remote controlled fuel pump relay to deter theft. Most late model cars with transponder systems can't get duplicate keys without proof of ownership. Some high end Foreign cars BMW,MB the keys have to come from the factory.
Remember any car can be stolen !( ever hear of a tow truck).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 0
From: Grants Pass Oregon
Gone in 60 seconds
Originally Posted by kens 80
I am an Insurance fraud theft investigator and attend at least 2-3 siminars a year to keep up with what a thief can and cant do. A licensed locksmith can do certain things a thief cant (unless he is a locksmith). C-3 cars cannot have keys duplicated from just the VIN. If the key code is available yes a key can be made. GM uses several different key paths as any of you know if trying to get locks coded or keys made and changes them every year.
The late model cars use either a VATS or passkey system. This system kills the electric fuel pump during attempted start-up without the proper key. To go into all the particulars would take pages. The latest systems known in the industry is called a transponder. If you have an electric fuel pump they now make an add on remote controlled fuel pump relay to deter theft. Most late model cars with transponder systems can't get duplicate keys without proof of ownership. Some high end Foreign cars BMW,MB the keys have to come from the factory.
Remember any car can be stolen !( ever hear of a tow truck).
The late model cars use either a VATS or passkey system. This system kills the electric fuel pump during attempted start-up without the proper key. To go into all the particulars would take pages. The latest systems known in the industry is called a transponder. If you have an electric fuel pump they now make an add on remote controlled fuel pump relay to deter theft. Most late model cars with transponder systems can't get duplicate keys without proof of ownership. Some high end Foreign cars BMW,MB the keys have to come from the factory.
Remember any car can be stolen !( ever hear of a tow truck).
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,269
Likes: 3
From: St. Charles IL
Cruise-In 5-6-7-8-9-11-12 Veteran
A CI-6 Car Show Winner
I sure do appreciate all the answers from you guys. The reason I asked this question was an e-mail I got indicating this can be, and has been done. I seldom trust half the stuff I hear from e-mails, so I thought I would ask. It's good to know it won't happen with my shark, but I think I might apply a piece of tape over the VIN on my other cars just to be safe.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 1
From: VetteMOD
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Covering your VIN number is a traffic violation in some if not all states. Believe it or not, your car could get impounded.
The best thing you can do is change your ignition switch and/or hide a kill switch. I don't really want to elaborate on how this could be done but, when a C3 (any year) was made, a key code book was issued by GM and distributed to GM part counters, locksmiths and who knows. The code books tell you how to make a key with a portable notcher in a few minutes. Those books are still out there. Copies of those books are still out there. In 30 years who knows where they ended up. Don't take chances.
The best thing you can do is change your ignition switch and/or hide a kill switch. I don't really want to elaborate on how this could be done but, when a C3 (any year) was made, a key code book was issued by GM and distributed to GM part counters, locksmiths and who knows. The code books tell you how to make a key with a portable notcher in a few minutes. Those books are still out there. Copies of those books are still out there. In 30 years who knows where they ended up. Don't take chances.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,269
Likes: 3
From: St. Charles IL
Cruise-In 5-6-7-8-9-11-12 Veteran
A CI-6 Car Show Winner
Originally Posted by BBShark
Covering your VIN number is a traffic violation in some if not all states. Believe it or not, your car could get impounded.
