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had to go renew registrations and since I had time I swung by the local Chevy dealer (also Only GM Dealer in town) to get a spare set of keys made.
Well I show the guy what I need and I already know it is a #11, but he said they quit stocking the keys when there reader broke and the boss didn't see any value in replacing it.
he did say if I find and order the key, he had "an old key cutting machine" he could cut them on for $20 a cut.
I ordered 2 key sets (ignition and door) for 20 bucks.
Just have to find someone to cut them.
had to go renew registrations and since I had time I swung by the local Chevy dealer (also Only GM Dealer in town) to get a spare set of keys made.
Well I show the guy what I need and I already know it is a #11, but he said they quit stocking the keys when there reader broke and the boss didn't see any value in replacing it.
he did say if I find and order the key, he had "an old key cutting machine" he could cut them on for $20 a cut.
I ordered 2 key sets (ignition and door) for 20 bucks.
Just have to find someone to cut them.
That's I'd say an unusual response - I understand them not stocking single side resistance keys and the GM pricing is quite high. You either stock "all or none".
The lower prices that are seen in eBay and other sources are the results in "no demand" and they've either bought or have access to someones overstock. If you bought Briggs or Strattec blanks you're OK. Others are very hit/miss regarding quality. Only Briggs or Strattec are duplication of the OE head.
You should have no trouble finding a person to cut them.
I'd ask the dealer if you didn't already to do a "key call/request" to confirm maybe that the mechanical cut of what you've got now is original to the car or if not that would hint there's been a key/cylinder change at some point. I'd think at this point they'd accommodate at NO CHARGE if NOT I might have a discussion with a manager.
I guess I was lucky. A few days ago I called the local ACE hardware and the guy said ‘yes we have the decoder and the keys’. Went over there and got a new key made for $27.
The Chevy dealer said $35 and we will haft to order it if it’s not one of the few we have.
Once the Chevy dealer said his machine was broke and they couldn't identify the key i figured i really didn't want to let them touch anthing I own. Either no one there knows how to use a DVM or they really just didn't want to bother.
I posted this a while back. The keys are easily measured to find which blank is needed. They are cheap online. Many places can cut them. The dealer cut mine for free. I have also used Ace hardware and farm and fleet to cut them.
Good luck.
Originally Posted by QCVette
I just did this for my '96.
I measured the one key that I had to find the resistance value. Then I found key blanks on the auction site (I found 2 for $6 each). I read that the dealer will cut them for free, so I asked mine about it. I even told them that I already had the blanks. They said no problem. The cut the two keys I bought for no charge. I also read a couple other posts that the dealer did it for them at no cost also.
well, I got my blanks and sat out Saturday to get them cut.
The order of stores was due to distance from closest to farthest. The last three required driving to the next town.
First stop Marvin's: Told it was against store policy to cut keys brought in by customer. No exceptions. (Marvin's is a small chain hear in Alabama that promotes themselves as a local, helpful store).
next stop Russel DO-IT hardware: The guy at the key counter was OK but his Asst manager stepped in and said I was violating the law, she was calling the police. I went to leave and she told me I couldn't, I had to wait for the police. I walked out.
next was Home Depot: A nice lady cut the ignition key free of charge under the understanding that if it didn't work it was on me. But she couldn't find the cassette for the door key.
final Stop Lowe's: They easily found the cassette and even had door key blanks with the rubber cover. $2.00
VATS Key Fun
