MikieG1971

How does a guy figure out which key/chip to order for his car?
Also, who has the best price on the blanks?

pcolt94

Do you have you current key? If you do the locksmith can tell you. Don't go to a dealer, call around for prices of locksmiths.

If you have your current key, you can measure the resistance and check the code key chart and figure it out.

# Value Range are in K ohms (1000)
1 .402 .386-.438
2 .523 .502-.564
3 .681 .650-.728
4 .887 .850-.942
5 1.130 1.085-1.195
6 1.470 1.411-1.549
7 1.870 1.795-1.965
8 2.370 2.275-2.485
9 3.010 2.890-3.150
10 3.740 3.590-3.910
11 4.750 4.560-4.960
12 6.040 5.798-6.302
13 7.500 7.200-7.820
14 9.530 9.149-9.931
15 11.800 11.320-12.290

MikieG1971

So just measure the resistance across the chip with a multimeter?
Where can a guy find this chart?

arbee

Right there in post #2.

Komiller118

i used a meter and a chart and got the correct key from ebay for just a couple bucks

MikieG1971

You guys are awesome!

pcolt94

What key phrases are used for the search for it?

Are all key blanks the same for all years or what?

arbee

Not sure if this will work but you might start with "vats key blank".

WVZR-1

Single side VATS blanks are the same for any year GM that uses VATS through '96. Some VATS changes to double-sided in '97 - the C5 is an example. I don't believe that any other double-sided preceded '97.

Here's a chart I've seen previously for VATS INFO - I've never used it. I've a GM Interrogator that I've used quite frequently. If you have a dealer do a 'key request' for you they will get a 'letter code' response from GM if it's available. For most years it isn't with the request any longer.



If you meant for an eBay search, then "Strattec XXXXXX" (xxxxxx = part#) will get you results and also include usually the correct associated GM # if you're interested in an OE. If you do Strattec or Briggs & Stratton it will be 'same as' OE. Ilco and others not.

Komiller118

https://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-NEW-GM-...JWY1n~&vxp=mtr

MikieG1971

Ok. The meter i used did not have a 1000 setting. So i used the 2000 setting and got 1.858.
So how does this break down? Do we divide or multiply our findings by 2?
Thanks guys.

Benny42

MikieG1971

Thanks man! One last question. Which key was used on the 1996 doors?

WVZR-1

I would expect an H but if you have a working key of any vendor it will have the blank on it in some fashion. An OEM key would be on the key blade. All others on the key head I believe.

belairbrian

When I went to the local dealer, they couldn't tell me what key I needed because their reader box had broken and couldn't see the value in having it fixed. The VATS system is too old.

They did offer to do the cut for free if I found the correct key and brought them in.

Cjunkie

Just drive it to a locksmith. I took the lazy way. I drove to the locksmith, $20 and 5 minutes later I had a VATS ignition and door key cut and I was down the street.

pcolt94

That's how I have done it.

GM doesn't support the C4 anymore and the dealer really does not care about your key and getting their machine fixed even though they might be nice people. Its just a ohm meter in a fancy box. You're going to wait a long time.

Go to the locksmith and get it done and get on with you life.

Cjunkie

I wasn’t exaggerating either. The girl working there checked the resistance on my key, went to the shelf and had it done in 5 mins or less. I went out and tried them, both were spot on. It was $20 and I was done.

MikieG1971

So is there a preferred key brand? See a few on the Bay. I always seem to pick the one that gives me hell.

belairbrian

I bought GM OEM key blanks