1987 Corvette Key codes?
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
1987 Corvette Key codes?
Lost the only set of keys to my vette. Called the dealer and they advised due to the age they wouldn't be able to get the key codes to make new keys. Can anyone tell me if they are located anywhere on the car? If not, is there any other way to locate them.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
This is odd. I though all that info is in a data base that ONE person in the dealership has the ability to obtain. I know that there is ONLY one guy I can call at my local dealership that can get that information.
I do not know where you are because you have no Public Information available...so I do not know if you are in the United States or over seas.
I also know that a locksmith can cut a key...and find the value of your chip in the key. so you can get keys.
DUB
I do not know where you are because you have no Public Information available...so I do not know if you are in the United States or over seas.
I also know that a locksmith can cut a key...and find the value of your chip in the key. so you can get keys.
DUB
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,381
Likes: 2,736
This is odd. I though all that info is in a data base that ONE person in the dealership has the ability to obtain. I know that there is ONLY one guy I can call at my local dealership that can get that information.
I do not know where you are because you have no Public Information available...so I do not know if you are in the United States or over seas.
I also know that a locksmith can cut a key...and find the value of your chip in the key. so you can get keys.
DUB
I do not know where you are because you have no Public Information available...so I do not know if you are in the United States or over seas.
I also know that a locksmith can cut a key...and find the value of your chip in the key. so you can get keys.
DUB
Last edited by WVZR-1; Sep 14, 2014 at 08:34 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 5
From: Illinois/Wisconsin Line
It's a real Dinosaur of a System. Easily Defeated. Only 15 different Keys
The Vats chart
Key Code Resistance Acceptable Range
1 402 386 - 438
2 523 502 - 564
3 681 650 - 728
4 887 850 - 942
5 1130 1085 - 1195
6 1470 1411 - 1549
7 1870 1795 - 1965
8 2370 2275 - 2485
9 3010 2890 - 3150
10 3740 3590 - 3910
11 4750 4560 - 4960
12 6040 5798 - 6302
13 7500 7200 - 7820
14 9530 9149 - 9931
15 11800 11328 - 12292
You can also by-pass the module
The Vats chart
Key Code Resistance Acceptable Range
1 402 386 - 438
2 523 502 - 564
3 681 650 - 728
4 887 850 - 942
5 1130 1085 - 1195
6 1470 1411 - 1549
7 1870 1795 - 1965
8 2370 2275 - 2485
9 3010 2890 - 3150
10 3740 3590 - 3910
11 4750 4560 - 4960
12 6040 5798 - 6302
13 7500 7200 - 7820
14 9530 9149 - 9931
15 11800 11328 - 12292
You can also by-pass the module
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
You can buy a new ignition cylinder with the corresponding keys.
The trick is to find out what resistance the VATS system is expecting to see. You can find that out by taking the VATS module apart. See this article I wrote that explains a lot about the VATS module:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/c4-tec...schematic.html
If you follow the link in post #7 and look at R3 in the upper left corner, that's the same resistance that's in your key pellet. I put the resistance in MY car there. Yours will probably be different. Find R3 in your VATS module and you've got it. The components are not numbered on the PC board, but it's the resistor next to pin W in the first picture of post #1. It's a 1% resistor. Here's a resistor color code chart to figure out what the different colored bands mean (use the center example):
The trick is to find out what resistance the VATS system is expecting to see. You can find that out by taking the VATS module apart. See this article I wrote that explains a lot about the VATS module:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/c4-tec...schematic.html
If you follow the link in post #7 and look at R3 in the upper left corner, that's the same resistance that's in your key pellet. I put the resistance in MY car there. Yours will probably be different. Find R3 in your VATS module and you've got it. The components are not numbered on the PC board, but it's the resistor next to pin W in the first picture of post #1. It's a 1% resistor. Here's a resistor color code chart to figure out what the different colored bands mean (use the center example):
Last edited by Cliff Harris; Sep 15, 2014 at 01:40 AM. Reason: Added resistor color code chart.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,381
Likes: 2,736
The OP can remove the key cylinder from the storage compartment and with some talent a competent locksmith can use that cylinder along with some creative work to create the door key. The storage compartment doesn't use a full complement of tumblers that are required for the door cylinder.
Regarding the ignition, the OP can first check to see if in-fact the harness at the column base is actually connected to the key cylinder OR maybe there's already been the most common bypass done to the car. That would be the insertion of a resistor at that connecter.
If it's actually still wired then I'd buy a new cylinder and using a VATS Interrogator determine the value that will actually start the car. That can be a procedure requiring some patience but you avoid disassembling the dash and removing the VATS module (TDM KEY DECODER) as Cliff suggested doing to read the resistor.
There's from time to time a vendor on eBay that sells TDM-KDM NOS with the VATS code supplied.
For the OP there's NO get the dealer to supply the codes, a new cylinder will be required OR find the keys.
If your an owner of a GM car that uses VATS and you've a single set of keys - GET DUPLICATES and MAKE SURE THEY WORK!
Regarding the ignition, the OP can first check to see if in-fact the harness at the column base is actually connected to the key cylinder OR maybe there's already been the most common bypass done to the car. That would be the insertion of a resistor at that connecter.
If it's actually still wired then I'd buy a new cylinder and using a VATS Interrogator determine the value that will actually start the car. That can be a procedure requiring some patience but you avoid disassembling the dash and removing the VATS module (TDM KEY DECODER) as Cliff suggested doing to read the resistor.
There's from time to time a vendor on eBay that sells TDM-KDM NOS with the VATS code supplied.
For the OP there's NO get the dealer to supply the codes, a new cylinder will be required OR find the keys.
If your an owner of a GM car that uses VATS and you've a single set of keys - GET DUPLICATES and MAKE SURE THEY WORK!
Last edited by WVZR-1; Sep 15, 2014 at 08:25 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
WVZR-1
I STAND CORRECTED. Obtaining information for key codes and such on Corvette prior to 1990 is quite sketchy as best. Some 1989's can be obtained but not much before that. I talked with the guy in the local dealership that has access to obtaining this information...and he confirmed it...and he should know ...because he is the only one with the access to obtain it....at least at this specific dealership that I use.
DUB
I STAND CORRECTED. Obtaining information for key codes and such on Corvette prior to 1990 is quite sketchy as best. Some 1989's can be obtained but not much before that. I talked with the guy in the local dealership that has access to obtaining this information...and he confirmed it...and he should know ...because he is the only one with the access to obtain it....at least at this specific dealership that I use.
DUB
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