A local locksmith said he'd charge me $25 for a blank ignition key and $50 to program it same as my original ignition key for the '89. Is this the only way I can get a spare ignition key and is this a price fair? TIA, Bill

 

I don't know if the ZR1 is any different than a regular vette (or are we talking about the 89), but I can purchase a blank key with the chip for about $5. As long as you tell them what the VATS code number is (1-15), it shouldn't cost more than $10 for the key and to have it cut.

 

You can buy the key at the local GM dealer or try here: www.corvettecentral.com
Then have it cut at the local hardware store. Much cheaper.

 

I had one matched and cut at a local locksmith. Can't remember exactly, but it was more than $20 and less than $25.

 

Most newer model cars utilize chips in the key which requires not only cutting of the key on a standard key cutter but to program the chip in the key to start the car. The fees you're quoting are the norm. But we're talking an early C4 with Vats. There is no chip in your key and there is no re-programming. You buy the correct "resistance pellet" key and have it cut, end of story. If you know your key value then you can buy it and have it cut at Lowes if you wanted to. Although, I'd probably have it done at a locksmith. Keep in mind that some locksmiths don't like to cut a customer's key because they can't guarantee that it'll work. There's nothing worse then buying a key and have it cut and not work. Who's to blame? So most locksmiths provide the key and cut it. If it doesn't work you probably don't have to worry. Plus the locksmith probably charges a little more for the entire job than if you bought the key and brought it to him. I guess they don't lose so much. So make sure what the locksmith is telling you (which you told us) applies to your car which has VATS. If you're not sure about the whole thing, but a standard key with no pellet, have it cut and see if it turns your ignition switch. If it does then give them the pellet key to cut. This way you know it "should" turn your ignition lock. Better to waste a standard key than a pellet key. Plus this will save you some $$$$.

Art

 

with MrRenoman. I stated "a blank key with the chip for about $5" when it is a resistance pellet inbedded in the key that the VATS reconizes.

 

Yes, Its for my '89, not the ZR1. Is I-15 the VATS code the same resistance pellet for ALL '89s inbedded in the key that the VATS recognizes and if I buy a blank with one of these pellets then all that's required is to have someone duplicate the cut pattern from my original VATs key?
FWIW, a guy in our Vette club just had a duplicate key cut for his"90 and although it worked to turn the ignition it would not start his Vette. If I understand correctly what you, Ron, and the others have posted then all he needs do is get a correct VAT pellet blank with the VATS code for a '90 and have the cut he has duplicated in his blank VATS pellet key???

 

This should give you a little more insight.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=153&TopicID=2

 

I just paid $30 for a key and to have it cut at chevy garage, however I found you can buy the blank for $15 in one of my vette cataloges. and someone stated before me that the key can be bought for $5, if that is the case get the blank and any Lowes or Home Depot can cut the key for you, they only charge a $1.25 when they uses their keys, they don't sell coded keys but will cut it for you........I learned the hard way, not investigating like you.........

 

1-15 is the pellet code. 1,2,3...15. If you take your key and measure the resistance with an ohmeter across the pellet (both sides of the key) then you will get a resistance reading. This resistance reading is converted to a value 1 through 15. Once you have this number, you can buy the key, cut it and use it to start your car. The resistance measured on the key can be within a range of ohms which is converted to the value.

Art

 

I went to the local mall and found a key Kiosk who measuered and cut me a key with the pellet. It was about 18 bucks

 

I put a new lock cylinder in my 87. It came with a non-pellet key to be used as a blank to cut the new one. I took the old key and the new blank to a Sears kiosk. They measured the old pellet, sold me 2 keys with the correct pellett and cut them to match. Can't remember now, but the total was $30 - $40.

 

Someone posted on here a website where the VATS key can be gotten for under $5.00. I can't find the site but if you ebay, just tell the fellow below what resistance number you need and he can get one for you.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Singl...spagenameZWDVW

 

to get my vats key i went to clksupplies.com, my friend who is an electrician did an ohms test and determined i have vats key number 5. i bought 3 keys for 3.25 a piece and had them cut at my local hardware store. i did a search pellet key and got all the info i needed. hope this helps. pat

 

Goto clksupplies.com , the keys are only $3.25....
If you decide to remove your VATS, then you don't need a key with a chip... Just goto Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot and have them cut you chipped key onto a "ACCESS #4" key.... 99 cents....

 

.....

 

with the nods for CLK and a huge thanks to whomever posted the original link to CLK in a thread a while back. I bought 3 blanks and had the local hardware store cut 2 of them. Cost me .50 each to have them cut and they work perfect. I think dealer cost on these keys was close to $30 from a GM dealer. If you need a volt meter, PM me and I'll send you one.

 

I went to my local dealer and got the door key and ignition key for $37. A bit much, but if they screwed it up, I simply go back for a new one.

The ebay keys, you're stuck with it if the guy cuts the key wrong or messes up somehow(you know we've all seen it happen).

Shop local, you can do better than the $75 quoted.

 

Three for $10 at CLK. If one is mis-cut, so what. Isn't often you find a real bargain these days. Thanks!

 

Mr. Mojo, I think your way off on your statement.... Normally on all your other posts, I agree with you 100%...Not this time....

Why would you pay $37 for 1 VATS key and 1 Normal key? Thanks Crazy With CLK, you get 8 VATS and 8 door key for the same price. Even with shipping, I'm still under $37.

Your quote "A bit much, but if they screwed it up, I simply go back for a new one" is way offbase. Haven't you purchased keys at Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart? You trust them to make your normal keys, why would you not trust them to copy these VATS keys? I have always taken my CLK keys to Walmart. I buy their ACCESS #4 key blank, which is the key you use if you remove your VATS, and instead of having them cut the ACCESS #4 key blank, I have them cut the CLK key and I keep their blank as a spare (in-case I decide to remove my VATS). Same labor, and you get the same product, so it's not like I'm ripping off Walmart. If the guy at Walmart puts in the wrong cutter (not a ACCESS #4 cutter), who cares, I still have 7 extra.

Your VATS key is a consumable, just like buying oil. Do you buy your oil at the dealer too???