Cutting new keys
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,253
Likes: 4,363
From: Chirper Island
Simply not true.
If you have a key to copy, then any locksmith who can get the blanks can cut a key. You can order the blanks online and give them to the locksmith.
If you have no key to copy, then ONLY the dealer (any GM--not just Chevy) will need VIN and proof of ownership, and they will cut a key if they have the capability, or will order a key already cut from GM.
The OP didn't give enough info to determine which.
If you have a key to copy, then any locksmith who can get the blanks can cut a key. You can order the blanks online and give them to the locksmith.
If you have no key to copy, then ONLY the dealer (any GM--not just Chevy) will need VIN and proof of ownership, and they will cut a key if they have the capability, or will order a key already cut from GM.
The OP didn't give enough info to determine which.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
Simply not true.
If you have a key to copy, then any locksmith who can get the blanks can cut a key. You can order the blanks online and give them to the locksmith.
If you have no key to copy, then ONLY the dealer (any GM--not just Chevy) will need VIN and proof of ownership, and they will cut a key if they have the capability, or will order a key already cut from GM.
The OP didn't give enough info to determine which.
If you have a key to copy, then any locksmith who can get the blanks can cut a key. You can order the blanks online and give them to the locksmith.
If you have no key to copy, then ONLY the dealer (any GM--not just Chevy) will need VIN and proof of ownership, and they will cut a key if they have the capability, or will order a key already cut from GM.
The OP didn't give enough info to determine which.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
The part about the key thingy. I know for a fact I lost a key to one of my trucks and it had to be purchased and programmed by gm dealer. Key was ordered by VIN. After some checking there is a company that can verify ownership and proceed to make a key. This company goes through the vin process same as dealer so seems to be easier to use actual dealer.
Last edited by saplumr; Feb 1, 2020 at 10:53 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,253
Likes: 4,363
From: Chirper Island
Key: the mechanical thingy (your word) you stick in the rear end of the car above the license plate on a C6.
Fob: the electrical thingy (again your word) in which the key resides that allows all the really cool entry and starting without removing it from one's pocket or purse.
You can also program your own fobs (unless you have a Canadian car) too. The instructions are right here at the top of the forum. I don't know what truck to which you are referring, but this is how Corvette fobs and keys work.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
Key Fob 101:
Key: the mechanical thingy (your word) you stick in the rear end of the car above the license plate on a C6.
Fob: the electrical thingy (again your word) in which the key resides that allows all the really cool entry and starting without removing it from one's pocket or purse.
You can also program your own fobs (unless you have a Canadian car) too. The instructions are right here at the top of the forum. I don't know what truck to which you are referring, but this is how Corvette fobs and keys work.
Key: the mechanical thingy (your word) you stick in the rear end of the car above the license plate on a C6.
Fob: the electrical thingy (again your word) in which the key resides that allows all the really cool entry and starting without removing it from one's pocket or purse.
You can also program your own fobs (unless you have a Canadian car) too. The instructions are right here at the top of the forum. I don't know what truck to which you are referring, but this is how Corvette fobs and keys work.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,253
Likes: 4,363
From: Chirper Island
The part about the key thingy. I know for a fact I lost a key to one of my trucks and it had to be purchased and programmed by gm dealer. Key was ordered by VIN. After some checking there is a company that can verify ownership and proceed to make a key. This company goes through the vin process same as dealer so seems to be easier to use actual dealer.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
I had an extra key. I’ve never even attempted or needed but If any fob can be programmed in the console what would keep criminals from getting a fob, gain entrance to vehicle, program fob and drive away. I’ve always been curious about that
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,253
Likes: 4,363
From: Chirper Island
I can hear the sirens, now!
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 154
Likes: 38
From: Western Massachusetts
I just had to go through this because when I got my car, it came with a fob that had an uncut key in it. I had to go to a dealer to get the key code - which I am told is the only way to get that code. They can look up the code when you provide the V.I.N. and proof of ownership. I will give this caution however: the first dealership I went to, the parts guy refused to hand over the code. He said he would cut the key, but not give me the code. This is a really poor dealership with hundreds of bad reviews, but it is the closet to my home. Anyway, I went to another dealership, and they had no problem giving me the code, which is now in my possession. The dealership's key machine was not working, so I went to a hardware store down the street and with the provided code, they cut a key for me to test on my car to ensure it worked before cutting the fob keys. It did and they cut the fob keys by copying the first key they made for me.
In summary - you get the code from the dealer. They can cut the key or a competent key place can cut it. You need the key for emergencies PLUS you need it to initiate the programming process. Reprogramming the fobs is really easy; just follow the instructions in the owner's manual (I did it using the OM).
Good Luck!
In summary - you get the code from the dealer. They can cut the key or a competent key place can cut it. You need the key for emergencies PLUS you need it to initiate the programming process. Reprogramming the fobs is really easy; just follow the instructions in the owner's manual (I did it using the OM).
Good Luck!
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
FWIW - if you just want a spare key then B106 is the key blank required and any Home Depot, True Value or lock smith can cut the key if you have a working key to copy. Total cost is under $5.
Last edited by Iceaxe; Feb 2, 2020 at 08:31 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,504
Likes: 3,631
All the export models requires that you use a Tech II/ MDI to put the RCDLC into learn mode, and you still have a 10 min wait period even with the tool. As for the long period, don't need to do this with a tech II, and you can override and program the new fob into any of the four RCDLR slots one shot instead.
As for the key, again you can either buy just the key blank that fits into the new fobs, or if you have an older fob that the key is not part of it, then new key blank can be cut from the exiting old key (saturn B106p or HILLMAN B106-PH blank will work).
If you don't have the key, then will need to find a dealer/lock smith that can access GM's Vin look up to get the key number to input that into the key cutter machine to cut the needed key instead.
Note here, if you have the original invoice of the car, it will have the vin number to cut the key on it. To go one more step, on a C7, it will have not only the Vin number to cut a new key, but the GM security code for SPS programming on it as well.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 904
Likes: 133
From: Kerrville, Texas
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 2,340
From: Etobicoke (Toronto) Ontario
Only the USA models will allow you to use the key in the cylinder over the license plate to program a new fob in (long or short methods).
All the export models requires that you use a Tech II/ MDI to put the RCDLC into learn mode, and you still have a 10 min wait period even with the tool. As for the long period, don't need to do this with a tech II, and you can override and program the new fob into any of the four RCDLR slots one shot instead.
All the export models requires that you use a Tech II/ MDI to put the RCDLC into learn mode, and you still have a 10 min wait period even with the tool. As for the long period, don't need to do this with a tech II, and you can override and program the new fob into any of the four RCDLR slots one shot instead.