Hey guys,

Lost the ignition and door keys to the vette. Went to the dealership and they could not cut me a new set set because they looked it up on the computer and were not able to find the specific key chip it needed and was told they would have to use VATS interigator on the car to find which chip it needed. Problem is they need to have the car there. Since it was my only set the only way i can get it to them is to have the car towed to the dealership to have a new set cut without having to tow the car to the dealership for them to use the interigator? Locksmiths said they would come out and do it for $150 but thats kinda steep. Any suggestions? Thanks,

Brian.

 

Bend over, and hope they use Vaseline.

 

My suggestion is to find another locksmith.
It should not cost $150 for a locksmith to come over and do all the keys. I had it done for about $70. He did the ignition key, the door keys, and even my gas cap key all for that price. Shop around for better prices. Don't waste your time and money towing it to the dealer. Depending on the year, some dealers can also give you a set of original keys with the right resistor pellet using the VIN. The problem with that is unless you are the original owner and the ignition switch is the original one, it won't work. And you can't get your money back.

 

I think you are being hosed at the dealership, they have all the codes. try another dealership first.

 

I think some one at the service dept is too lazy to use the data link? Would you by any chance have the tags, metal key plugs, still in your possesion? Those key tag numbers will give all the info also.

 

Make some extra sets of keys so this does not happen to you,it's the first thing I do when buying a new car,just ask me why.

 

I went through the same ordeal. Mine came out for $80 and did it. I called through the Yellow Pages and found them.

The reason they charge so much is finding out which capacitor is on your key. Call the dealer an get your key code, they had mine and the locksmith will do the rest.

 

had mine cut for $25 from a locksmith. Then he gave me my key cut code by looking at the cuts on the key. So All I have to do now if I loose them is give them the cut numbers and the vats code and he can cut them.

 

Do you have the original owner's manual and the leather pouch? Some dealers will record the key code information in there. Might be worth checking.

 

Great advice. The dealer can give you the key resistance value by VIN. Again, it only works if the ignition switch has not been replaced. When the locksmith showes up, it can save you a lot of time and perhaps lower his fee.

 

First off thanks for all the great suggestions. Ummm at the dealership they ran the vin number through that data thing and it did not come up with which of the 15 different resistor chips it needed for the key. I called several other dealerships and none of them could get it off the computer either. Ive called several locksmiths and got qoutes ranging from $150 through $250. If i had it towed to the dealership they would make me a new set for $50 and it would cost $80 for the tow so thats $130 then minus the $50 that AAA would pay so I would end up with just having to pay $80 which isnt to bad. And trust me I will have about 2 or 3 sets cut after this ordeal.... Thanks again for all your help!

 

Doesn't AAA have some sort of lost key locksmith service included in their coverage?

 

Yeah but they only will pay $50 towards the cost. I actually think I got a lucky break because the guy I bought the car from is one of my best freinds dad and I asked him to look if he could find another set of the keys and he just called me about an hour ago and said he thinks he found a set so I will have them send them down here Question did any GM trucks use the VATS system? The guy has had alot of GM trucks but hopefully the key is for my vette.

 

I don't know if you noticed, but in the C4 Parts/Wanted section I have FREE resistors that you can use to disable your VATS. If I were you, this is what I'd do. Goto Walmart, Loew, or Home Depot buy a blank Access #4 (UPC 7 36511 50004 2) key (non-rubber head). This key is the exact keyway of your key, except it doesn't have the pellet.
Take this blank to the GM dealer and ask them how much it would be to look up your key code and put it on this blank. Since they are not using their stock, they will usually do it for free. Tell them your planning on disabling the VATS and don't need a key with a pellet.
Now try this key in your ignition, if it turns the lock your in business. If it doesn't then even if they knew the VATS code it wouldn't have worked either (You just save $25), because someone already changed your ingition lock). Now all you have to do is bypass your VATS by using the FREE resistors. There are 14 VATS codes for your 95 (2 thru 15). Start with VATS 5 (1.13K), then 14 (9.54K) (Don't ask why, just a wild guess). If that doesn't work, continue with the rest.
Remember to wait 7 minutes between VATS failures. When you find the correct VATS resistance, then goto http://clksupplies.com/shop and type in VATS, then search. VATS keys are only $3.25 each.
Get the key you need, then take it to Walmart, Loew or Home Depot. Most of the guys will cut it for free since they don't sell pelleted keys. Just have them use the same cutter as a Access #4. If they tell you that they can't because they're using their labor (very unlikely), tell them that you will happily buy the Access #4 key non-rubber head key, but you want it to remain uncut, but have there labor count on the VATS key (Does this make Sense???, Kind-of hard to explain)
With the key that GM cut for you, this key can't be used for any other purpose (if you enabled your VATS again). So put it away.
Oh, did I mention that I am giving away FREE resistor? Check in the C4 Parts/Wanted section.

 

man o man....

 

I don't believe any GM trucks used the pellet key, and after '94 GM truck keys were rounded and they use the same key for the doors and ignition.

 

My good freinds dad who I bought the car from took the key he found to the dealership in atlanta today and they read the key and told me what pellet it needed and I had the dealership here in Florida cut a key and use the pellet number they gave me in Atlanta and the key works perfect! And the guy is sending me that set down and AAA is paying the $50 the dealership charged to cut me the set today. So now I went from having no keys to having 2 sets for free. Thanks to everyone for your help! If only all problems worked out this easily