any way to get a key made by VIN w/o paying $40 at chevy? (99 malibu non VATS key)
07-15-2009, 11:31 AM
#1
TECH Junkie
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: May 2006
Location: somewhere that doesn't get snow
Posts: 3,455
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
any way to get a key made by VIN w/o paying $40 at chevy? (99 malibu non VATS key) i've got a DD 99 malibu that we got several years ago and it never came with a factory key but rather came with 3 copies. none of these copies is a perfect match for the car for some reason. you have to insert the key and then remove it slightly to get the ignition to unlock. i think maybe this is because of the type of key the copies are. i went to the dealer thinking i could just get an oem key blank and copy one of the copies and that would fix it but the dealer suggested having a new key cut by the VIN. only problem is that costs about $40 ($30 to get the code from the VIN and $10 to make the key) 
i don't know if the problem is worth $40. is there any way to get this done cheaper than at the stealership? I can get 2 new GM key blanks from ebay for $8 but i don't know if copying one of the duplicates onto one of those original key blanks will fix it. i thought it would but the dealer is saying it most likely needs to have a key cut from the vin.
i don't know if the problem is worth $40. is there any way to get this done cheaper than at the stealership? I can get 2 new GM key blanks from ebay for $8 but i don't know if copying one of the duplicates onto one of those original key blanks will fix it. i thought it would but the dealer is saying it most likely needs to have a key cut from the vin. 
07-15-2009, 11:32 AM
#2
Go to a dealer that doesn't charge $30 to get the code. Most do it free and just charge you for the key. $10-$15.
He is right, do it by code. If you make a copy, you'll be copying a bad copy and end up with another bad key.
He is right, do it by code. If you make a copy, you'll be copying a bad copy and end up with another bad key.
__________________
800-456-0211 / PM / Facebook
WHIPPLE Superchargers, Procharger, Magnuson, Powerbond Sale, HPTuners packages!, Trickflow, AFR, PRC, CHE Trunion upgrade, $100 7.400" pushrod set, Custom Cam of your choice
800-456-0211 / PM / Facebook
WHIPPLE Superchargers, Procharger, Magnuson, Powerbond Sale, HPTuners packages!, Trickflow, AFR, PRC, CHE Trunion upgrade, $100 7.400" pushrod set, Custom Cam of your choice
07-15-2009, 12:26 PM
#3
TECH Junkie
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: May 2006
Location: somewhere that doesn't get snow
Posts: 3,455
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
I just called the pontiac dealer and they also want $40. $30 to get the code and $9.20 for the key. i could see spending the $10 but $40 is a bit steep. he said those malibu's are known for having issues with the ignition and that if the key works ok in the door, which it does, that it might just be the ignition cylinder acting up. but it's been doing it since the car was about 4 years old so i think it might have more to do with the keys being copies. i wonder if the car was reposessed at some point and thats why all the keys are copies.
Last edited by 1995blacktattop; 07-15-2009 at 12:33 PM.
