Stolen Keys
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2013
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Stolen Keys
My son owns a 1994 corvette in Honolulu, HI. His key was recently stolen and now he has no keys to his car. He went to the dealership to get another key and they said they had lost all old records for the key codes to his car. They want $2000-$2500 to get into his car and make him another key. Does anyone have any idea how we could get him another key made that would work and cost less than this?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,383
Likes: 4
My son owns a 1994 corvette in Honolulu, HI. His key was recently stolen and now he has no keys to his car. He went to the dealership to get another key and they said they had lost all old records for the key codes to his car. They want $2000-$2500 to get into his car and make him another key. Does anyone have any idea how we could get him another key made that would work and cost less than this?
Should be able to buy a BCM from a parted out car with known pellet type.
Should be able to test each of the 15 possibilities to find out which one works. This could be done via the VATS bypass resistor method using a potentiometer and waiting the cool down timer out between tests.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
When you get to the door key, the console lock will give all but the last tumbler and again the competent locksmith can make the 4 (IIRC) different possibilities. Only took my guy 2 tries. Cost-$35.
I am glad I have an '85. No VATS.
Who steals a set of keys and not the car? Might consider changing the key cylinder anyway.
I am glad I have an '85. No VATS.
Who steals a set of keys and not the car? Might consider changing the key cylinder anyway.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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My son owns a 1994 corvette in Honolulu, HI. His key was recently stolen and now he has no keys to his car. He went to the dealership to get another key and they said they had lost all old records for the key codes to his car. They want $2000-$2500 to get into his car and make him another key. Does anyone have any idea how we could get him another key made that would work and cost less than this?
BS - I seriously doubt the comment lost all "unless" the dealership is something other than a "franchised" GM dealership. Now if there's been any cylinder changes since new then the information available would be incorrect and that's certainly possible.
Go to a "franchised" GM dealer with correct ID and proof of ownership and the key records at time of build would be available for a fee. Generally speaking the VATS resistance isn't supplied with the request BUT there's been many posts by forum participants that their key requests from dealers DID include the VATS resistance for as old as '91MY vehicles.
If the "key of record" rotates the cylinder then it's a matter of using a VATS interrogator to determine the resistance. If the key does NOT rotate the cylinder then the game changes.
If the VATS resistance is supplied with the key request it's very unlikely that the resistance value would have been changed so it should be likely to use that resistance and a cylinder change to make run.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2013
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The dealership was a GM dealership in Honolulu. The bad part about living on the island is there are only so many people you can go to. He his coming home for Christmas, hoping maybe we can find something out then. Thank you.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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Do you have a "relationship" with a local dealer where you're located? If you've a "relationship" with a local, a confirming FAX with information from either a DMV and/or a certification of insurance from an insurance provider direct to the dealer might work for you. See either the Service or Parts manager. They might as a courtesy at least confirm the information passed on by the HI dealer was correct.
I'll have to lean towards the BS still - the information available might NOT work BUT I'm not buying into the "LOST"!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I would question what that dealership really knows. The pellet resistance value should be very easy to get from GM. And there are only 15 values. Even ALLDATA should have that information. It's not like those pellet keys were Corvette-specific. And that price quote is plain absurd. It sounds like they really don't want to take on the job.
Most dealerships would charge something like $30-$50 to replace a pellet-style key.
Any competent locksmith should be able to at least get into the car with no problem. Call a AAA office and ask who they send out to lockout calls.
Most dealerships would charge something like $30-$50 to replace a pellet-style key.
Any competent locksmith should be able to at least get into the car with no problem. Call a AAA office and ask who they send out to lockout calls.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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I would question what that dealership really knows. The pellet resistance value should be very easy to get from GM. And there are only 15 values. Even ALLDATA should have that information. It's not like those pellet keys were Corvette-specific. And that price quote is plain absurd. It sounds like they really don't want to take on the job.
Most dealerships would charge something like $30-$50 to replace a pellet-style key.
Any competent locksmith should be able to at least get into the car with no problem. Call a AAA office and ask who they send out to lockout calls.
Most dealerships would charge something like $30-$50 to replace a pellet-style key.
Any competent locksmith should be able to at least get into the car with no problem. Call a AAA office and ask who they send out to lockout calls.
I doubt the validity of the entire post - there's information either missing or like I mentioned BS.
Judging from the "location mentioned" where's the thief going to run! If it's insured it could be a "favor"!
Last edited by WVZR-1; Dec 16, 2013 at 01:55 PM.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Cheltenham, England
Absolutely, make sure the car is secured first THEN worry about the key replacement..