Steering column replacement
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 31
From: Coldville
Steering column replacement
I finally bought another Steering Column to replace my loose Busted up one in my 86.
I have a question, the one I bought is out of a 89 and It comes with one key and the seller dos'nt know what # the key is.
Will Vats disable the ignition if I put the new one in?
I know the keys have a different Resister chips so the ECU may not reconize the new Column if the # isnt the same as the one that came with the car, in theory, so it shouldnt work right?
Can I get by swapping key ignition cylinders?
Thanks
I have a question, the one I bought is out of a 89 and It comes with one key and the seller dos'nt know what # the key is.
Will Vats disable the ignition if I put the new one in?
I know the keys have a different Resister chips so the ECU may not reconize the new Column if the # isnt the same as the one that came with the car, in theory, so it shouldnt work right?
Can I get by swapping key ignition cylinders?
Thanks
Last edited by rad928music; Jan 9, 2013 at 11:17 AM. Reason: change
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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I finally bought another Steering Column to replace my loose Busted up one in my 86.
I have a question, the one I bought is out of a 89 and It comes with one key and the seller dos'nt know what # the key is.
Will Vats disable the ignition if I put the new one in?
I know the keys have a different Resister chips so the ECU may not reconize the new Column if the # isnt the same as the one that came with the car, in theory, so it shouldnt work right?
Can I get by swapping key ignition cylinders?
Thanks
I have a question, the one I bought is out of a 89 and It comes with one key and the seller dos'nt know what # the key is.
Will Vats disable the ignition if I put the new one in?
I know the keys have a different Resister chips so the ECU may not reconize the new Column if the # isnt the same as the one that came with the car, in theory, so it shouldnt work right?
Can I get by swapping key ignition cylinders?
Thanks
Once the new key is cut a "talented" key person should be able to interpret the cuts of the '89 key to give you a valid typical key code for you to make a record of to keep for keys if that need should arise.
It would make the change over very easy!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 411
From: WV
Any GM dealership can read your old (86) original key and let you know what resistance it is.. You then order a new key of that resistance number and have a key cutter cut it to match the (new) replacement steering column ignition key..Then it will work fine....WW
PS...This has been revised so anyone can understand it....
PS...This has been revised so anyone can understand it....
Last edited by WW7; Jan 9, 2013 at 12:55 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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Won't work - the resistance the vehicle wants to see is what's in the VATS module! My suggestion is certainly the easiest and more practical.
The only complication could be is that the mechanical cuts of the '89 column be really worn and it won't copy well. I'd buy a couple brass work keys to use to make sure I had the mechanical cut correct. The GM number for the brass work key is 26007687. It's the correct length with NO RESISTOR. I never gave a thought to a worn key in my first response!
OP - if you need it explained further I can - let me know - I've probably done it a few hundred times!
Last edited by WVZR-1; Jan 9, 2013 at 11:50 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
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From: WV
Don't speak on things you know nothing about,that's whats "Pretty Common", I spend a good deal of money at my local dealership and know the people there by name.They read my key for me so I could get extras and were happy to do it...WW
Last edited by WW7; Jan 9, 2013 at 05:54 PM.
Team Owner
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You mention NEW COLUMN and then NEW IGNITION - you never mention OLD('86) resistance NEW('89) mechanical cut!
Team Owner
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 31
From: Coldville
Thanks for the response guys.
I think both of your methods would work.
I do have some Locksmith training and Im a Electronic\Mechanical Technician by trade so I get your drifts.
Logic tells me that the VATS want to to see a certain resistance.
It doesnt care what the cut of the key is.
So Ill just fool it by giving it my original key resistance in the the new columns key cut.
Your answers where very helpfull.
Thanks
I think both of your methods would work.
I do have some Locksmith training and Im a Electronic\Mechanical Technician by trade so I get your drifts.
Logic tells me that the VATS want to to see a certain resistance.
It doesnt care what the cut of the key is.
So Ill just fool it by giving it my original key resistance in the the new columns key cut.
Your answers where very helpfull.
Thanks
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 411
From: WV
Just for future reference , if you ever start having problems with your car not starting ( this happens quite often) and it is vats related, they make a wiring harness that goes under the column that you can bypass the vats altogether.....WW
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000050F
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000050F
Team Owner
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Does the '89 (new) blank display a good bit of usage or appears in very good shape.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,082
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From: Coldville
You've got it and the "work" key I part #'d is a brass key that you could use to confirm the mechanical cuts before attempting the cut on a VATS key blank. There will be 6 mechanical cuts xxxxxx and a talented locksmith can use that information to get a four digit key code for you to carry. Some dealer personnel aren't aware that their hardware will do it but a knowledgeable person can accomplish it.
Does the '89 (new) blank display a good bit of usage or appears in very good shape.
Does the '89 (new) blank display a good bit of usage or appears in very good shape.
Won it on Ebay for $90.
Here is pics:
Team Owner
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That key is in very good condition I can nearly read it from here in WV. From the head to tip it looks like 5-4-4-3-2-4. In someone's hand it should be very easy! I'd still probably get a couple of the work keys I suggested. The cut on the tip could be a 5 but I lean heavily towards a 4. It should trace very well.
Here's what the work key looks like.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=...at=0&_from=R40
At a dealer the work key should be able to be bought for maybe $3 or so don't do eBay!
Where's home?
Here's what the work key looks like.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=...at=0&_from=R40
At a dealer the work key should be able to be bought for maybe $3 or so don't do eBay!
Where's home?
Last edited by WVZR-1; Jan 9, 2013 at 06:47 PM.
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OP, sorry to hijack ...
WV, I'm interested in what the code means. How can you tell what it is ... does it have something to do with the depth of the cut, or ??
WV, I'm interested in what the code means. How can you tell what it is ... does it have something to do with the depth of the cut, or ??
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 31
From: Coldville
That key is in very good condition I can nearly read it from here in WV. From the head to tip it looks like 5-4-4-3-2-4. In someone's hand it should be very easy! I'd still probably get a couple of the work keys I suggested. The cut on the tip could be a 5 but I lean heavily towards a 4. It should trace very well.
Here's what the work key looks like.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=...at=0&_from=R40
At a dealer the work key should be able to be bought for maybe $3 or so don't do eBay!
Where's home?
Here's what the work key looks like.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=...at=0&_from=R40
At a dealer the work key should be able to be bought for maybe $3 or so don't do eBay!
Where's home?
Im in Minnesota.
I just have to check out the Column when It gets here first.
I've learned from buying on ebay you dont always get what you see.
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