Not a good day
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 65,010
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From: Title town, Champs live here.
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
also its not very difficult to break into a C5. take something like a coat hanger (wrap the end in electrical tape or something so you don't damage anything) and carefully insert it down from the top of the window. there's no solid frame on the top of the C5 window, so you can just slide something right down. push the unlock button and you're in. if the alarm is set hitting the unlock button will set off the alarm, even if you don't open the door. I bet a thief could be in in less than 10 seconds since they won't be concerned with damaging the button or the weatherstrip on top...then go get yourself a better alarm since I just scared you about how easy it is!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,192
Likes: 4,180
From: Kannapolis NC
That's not scary at all. A thief who just wanted in the car would just break out the window and reach in, the alarm wouldn't even go off. What good would a better alarm do if the stock one went off when the unlock button was pushed anyway? Would a better alarm be louder?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: South Western Ontario
Peter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Indianapolis IN
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
At least yours was in the garage. I locked my keys in the car one time outside and it started to rain. To make it worse the top was down. I had to hitch a ride home to get my spare set and get back before it got too wet inside. I made it back and got the door unlocked and the top up in time, thank God.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
That's not scary at all. A thief who just wanted in the car would just break out the window and reach in, the alarm wouldn't even go off. What good would a better alarm do if the stock one went off when the unlock button was pushed anyway? Would a better alarm be louder?
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 473
Likes: 1
From: Newport Oregon
I had to go get a spare key last month and according to the local dealer parts guy (who seemed knowledgable about this) the problem with VATS codes if you don't know it or have a key is that GM doesn't own the VATS tables. It's owned by an individual who has a major hair in his backside against GM. GM has 'readers' only and per license agreement can't match the VATS code to the VIN of the vehicles. I was told if you can't read the code you either change the locks, or they can get the code from the guy but he can and usually does drag his feet for sometimes months.
I suggest you get your code and keep it safe on the off chance that you ever need it. My info may be wrong, but it's what I was told.
I suggest you get your code and keep it safe on the off chance that you ever need it. My info may be wrong, but it's what I was told.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 4
From: NW Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I had to go get a spare key last month and according to the local dealer parts guy (who seemed knowledgable about this) the problem with VATS codes if you don't know it or have a key is that GM doesn't own the VATS tables. It's owned by an individual who has a major hair in his backside against GM. GM has 'readers' only and per license agreement can't match the VATS code to the VIN of the vehicles. I was told if you can't read the code you either change the locks, or they can get the code from the guy but he can and usually does drag his feet for sometimes months.
I suggest you get your code and keep it safe on the off chance that you ever need it. My info may be wrong, but it's what I was told.
I suggest you get your code and keep it safe on the off chance that you ever need it. My info may be wrong, but it's what I was told.
with proof of ownership and your vin number the dealer contacts gm via computer and recieves back the cutting code and vats code. the dealer can then provide the correct key. if you have a key the dealer has a black box that reads the vats, with the correct key, copies your key. many locksmiths have the black box also.
I have made many keys from vin numbers only
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,469
Likes: 4
All I can figure is either this guy's just joking around, or maybe he locked the keys in the trunk? But I dunno... it DOES sound like some sort of blond joke.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 0
From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
At least yours was in the garage. I locked my keys in the car one time outside and it started to rain. To make it worse the top was down. I had to hitch a ride home to get my spare set and get back before it got too wet inside. I made it back and got the door unlocked and the top up in time, thank God.
Somethings wrong here......
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,192
Likes: 4,180
From: Kannapolis NC
I guess some people can't figure out when they're getting their leg pulled. I overestimated the intelligence of a couple of people. I even put the little goofy guy at the end. I guess in the "texting" world of today, I should have added "jk". Besides, it wasn't really raining, I just added that for dramatic effect. Everyone knows if it was raining, I wouldn't even be driving the Vette.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
I guess some people can't figure out when they're getting their leg pulled. I overestimated the intelligence of a couple of people. I even put the little goofy guy at the end. I guess in the "texting" world of today, I should have added "jk". Besides, it wasn't really raining, I just added that for dramatic effect. Everyone knows if it was raining, I wouldn't even be driving the Vette.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,045
Likes: 9
From: Montreal ** Enjoy the ride !!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,192
Likes: 4,180
From: Kannapolis NC
Sometimes when you tell a joke, you have to sound like an idiot. The idiots who take something like this seriously are the ones who scare me.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 352
From: Carson City Nevada
for future reference. I surprised the dealer didn't know this. no one may ever be in that exact situation again but.....
since the dealer had the code to cut the key, he could have used a key blank from a truck to cut a key that would have unlocked the door. the VATS pellet is for the ignition switch only.
since the dealer had the code to cut the key, he could have used a key blank from a truck to cut a key that would have unlocked the door. the VATS pellet is for the ignition switch only.
Chevy makes these keys with 24 different resistances. My key was number 14. That's the only one they didn't have in parts. I've been trying to get a fob off of fleabay, but I keep getting outbid! I bid $75.00 yesterday and lost again! I might just plunk down $140.00 and get a new one. This is on top of my $50.00 for a key. That's insane! Fifty bucks for a key?!!!! $140.00 for a fob?!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,788
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi outwest nv. -
It is probably moot point by now, but for future reference.....
A good locksmith can make a key for your car using only a blank key, some graphite powder and a file.
I had to have this done on a used car I purchased many years ago.
It was amazing to watch the process - but it only took the man about 10 minutes and he had a key for my car.
Also - the passive fobs are supposed to be able to unlock the car if you are able to jar the car enough to bring the fob to life. Those particular fobs have a mercury switch in them and if they are jiggled hard enough they will "wake up" and unlock the car.
I would contact Ken Fichtner and order a key and fob - I bought two of the same model from them for our 99 a couple of years ago and it was just over $100 for both new fobs.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zeroforum?id=71
Also - the VATS resistor is only read by the ignition lock, not the doors (as you have already determined).
I am sorry to hear of your misfortune - and your advice to obtain a spare key is very good information for the uninformed.
I hope it works out for you quickly.
best regards-
mqqn
It is probably moot point by now, but for future reference.....
A good locksmith can make a key for your car using only a blank key, some graphite powder and a file.
I had to have this done on a used car I purchased many years ago.
It was amazing to watch the process - but it only took the man about 10 minutes and he had a key for my car.
Also - the passive fobs are supposed to be able to unlock the car if you are able to jar the car enough to bring the fob to life. Those particular fobs have a mercury switch in them and if they are jiggled hard enough they will "wake up" and unlock the car.
I would contact Ken Fichtner and order a key and fob - I bought two of the same model from them for our 99 a couple of years ago and it was just over $100 for both new fobs.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zeroforum?id=71
Also - the VATS resistor is only read by the ignition lock, not the doors (as you have already determined).
I am sorry to hear of your misfortune - and your advice to obtain a spare key is very good information for the uninformed.
I hope it works out for you quickly.
best regards-
mqqn
Last edited by mqqn; Oct 6, 2008 at 12:34 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis MO
Wow
Some people will do anything to sell parts. You can have a non vats key cut that will only open the doors. The lock cylinders are non electronic, they have nothing to do with the vats. As stated before the top of the door glass easily pulls out and any object can be used to push the unlock button. This can be done without damaging any part of the door unless you are magilla the gorilla. Contact one of the forum venders and obtain spare keys/fobs. There is no reason to pay $200 for spares. People expect vette owners to be extra gullible.
"Not this little black duck!"
"Not this little black duck!"
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 685
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From: Orange CA