Key thingy
04-30-2008, 01:50 PM
#1
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Indiana
Posts: 735
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Key thingy I was just wondering an i was told it was a computor chip. The little black with metal in the center thing on your ignition key. Whats the for?
04-30-2008, 01:56 PM
#2
12 Second Club
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: North Versailles, PA
Posts: 387
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's just a resistor. The ignition has contacts that touch the resistor in the key when you try to start the car. If the resistor value isn't sensed the car won't start. Pretty simple idea but works well for keeping you car safe.
04-30-2008, 03:03 PM
#3
Launching!
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's also a great reason for GM to charge $50 for a new key!
If you ever need a spare, there's a guy on ebay selling them for much less, but you have to measure the resistor first to ensure you order the correct one.
If you ever need a spare, there's a guy on ebay selling them for much less, but you have to measure the resistor first to ensure you order the correct one.
04-30-2008, 03:12 PM
#4
On The Tree
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Here's more than you'd ever want to know, it's a little old (1991, gen 3) , but pretty thorough. http://www.thirdgen.org/vats_passkey_system
Trending Topics
05-01-2008, 01:50 AM
#9
Launching!
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I remember when I bought my Firebird, the salesman told me that the key had a "microchip" in it, and they'd be like, $100 to replace!
I think resistors were called microchips in the 90's!
I think resistors were called microchips in the 90's!
05-01-2008, 02:10 AM
#11
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Decatur, TN (N-W of Athens)
Posts: 7,564
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
lol Resistors and Microchips have been their own entity since the 60s (or even earlier) 
But that IS funny. Gotta love known tons more than car salesmen. If I ever go in and buy a new car, I'll just tell the dude "Look, I know tons more about any of these cars here than you do, so lets skip to the chase: Don't try to sell me any extra BS, I already know what I want, and how much I'll pay."
There's also a way around it, than buying a new key, but it's less safe then. Just find the right wire under the dash, cut it, and solder in the correct ohm resistor
Any key cut to the original will then work.
But that IS funny. Gotta love known tons more than car salesmen. If I ever go in and buy a new car, I'll just tell the dude "Look, I know tons more about any of these cars here than you do, so lets skip to the chase: Don't try to sell me any extra BS, I already know what I want, and how much I'll pay."
There's also a way around it, than buying a new key, but it's less safe then. Just find the right wire under the dash, cut it, and solder in the correct ohm resistor
Any key cut to the original will then work.
05-01-2008, 08:25 AM
#12
Staging Lane
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Clovis NM
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My car doesnt like to start sometimes there is no corrosion on the terminals or wires but the key thing is loose i have to hold the key in the start position for like 10-15 secconds b4 it starts could the key be the problem?
