Spare key with VATS??
Spare key with VATS?? Hi,
I've only got one key for the ignition of my car, and I'd like a spare just in case. I guess it's easyier to get a new one cut whilst I still have the original one to hand?
I hear there's some sort of anti theft system chip in the key too, so where can I get a new spare key?
Will any key shop be able to make me a new key with VATS??
Thanks for the help....
I've only got one key for the ignition of my car, and I'd like a spare just in case. I guess it's easyier to get a new one cut whilst I still have the original one to hand?
I hear there's some sort of anti theft system chip in the key too, so where can I get a new spare key?
Will any key shop be able to make me a new key with VATS??
Thanks for the help....
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 345
Likes: 1
From: TX
Last time I asked a lock smith how much for a vats key he said "40 bucks". lol
I get them cheap on ebay. Measure your key resistor chip with a multimeter, cross it on a vats chart, order a generic on ebay, have key cut locally.
http://www.vatskey.com/vats/vatskeylock.htm
I get them cheap on ebay. Measure your key resistor chip with a multimeter, cross it on a vats chart, order a generic on ebay, have key cut locally.
http://www.vatskey.com/vats/vatskeylock.htm
If your existing key is old, I'd suggest buying a key online and then taking it to a dealer to get it cut. When there, make sure they "punch" a new one for you instead of using a regular key copier.
A new punched key will be exact to the originals and will last you longer. As our keys age, the edge erodes. Eventually, enough key will wear away so that the lock cylinder will not work. If you "copy" a half-worn key, you will then be left with two worn keys with less than full life on them. Doing this is more work, but given the expense of these blanks, I think its worth it. I think I've been charged $1-10 in the past for a key punch, depending on the dealer.
A new punched key will be exact to the originals and will last you longer. As our keys age, the edge erodes. Eventually, enough key will wear away so that the lock cylinder will not work. If you "copy" a half-worn key, you will then be left with two worn keys with less than full life on them. Doing this is more work, but given the expense of these blanks, I think its worth it. I think I've been charged $1-10 in the past for a key punch, depending on the dealer.
I was in the same position and decided to pick one up today. The cheapest VATS key I could find online was ~$13 with shipping. Rather than do that, wait for it to arrive, and take it to the dealer to get cut....I just went to the dealer. In case anyone is wondering what it runs, it's $25.
Last edited by johnlv6; Sep 10, 2009 at 08:42 AM.
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 732
Likes: 0
From: OHIO
Any GM dealer worth a crap can make you a new key; as long as they have the correct key blank(with the correct resistor). If you have an existing key all they have to do is use the PASS KEY INTERROGATOR the measure the resistance in you key and then they'll know which key blank to use. Once they have the correct blank they can simply trace cut the key but if your key has a lot of wear then I would suggest having them cut the key by code(using GM DEALERWORLD to get the key code from GM). In order to cut the key by code, the car HAS to have the original ignition lock because the original lock-set is what GM will have on record. By cutting the key by code and not tracing your existing key, the new key will be exactly like the keys that were from the factory (nice sharp edges). If the key is trace cut (copied) from a worn key, the new key shouldn't be AS bad as the worn one but it may copy the flaws from the old one. Some dealers charge to cut keys and some even charge to get key codes but we don't. Call around to different dealers and get the best price you can. We require proof of ownership (registration and/or title in your name and your drivers license). We will not make keys for anyone but the owner, unless we have a notarized letter stating the person ordering the key is an authorized person and we require that person to have their drivers license (we make copies of all proof of ownerships/licenses a nd keep them on file). We don't charge to cut the keys or get codes; we only charge for the part itself and most key blanks list for about $24.00.
We will not make keys for anyone but the owner, unless we have a notarized letter stating the person ordering the key is an authorized person and we require that person to have their drivers license (we make copies of all proof of ownerships/licenses a nd keep them on file).
Last edited by johnlv6; Sep 10, 2009 at 08:43 AM.
