I Broke My Damn Key

[cybercide]

Re: I Broke My Damn Key

I tried to be proactive, and got a new key made *before* I lost or broke the only one that came with the car.

I was gonna order a blank online like on egay or something, then came across a mobile locksmith who was doing some work at my workplace. He cut both an ignition and door key for me for $20 using real GM blanks. All in his van and I didn't have to go anywhere.

But then I noticed, when I was wiring the stereo and removed the lower dash panel, that it looks like someone had modded the car already so I don't need the VATS chip anyway.... ah well

[zer0321]

Re: I Broke My Damn Key

lots of bad info in this thread-

VATS started in 1990 with the late 3rd gens. I had it in my 92, and my 93 Z28, and my 97 RS.

Gotta go to the dealer to get a replacement...

[kala]

Re: I Broke My Damn Key

Gotta go to the dealer to get a replacement...

Umm, no. My 96 started and ran perfectly every single crank. I can just go to my local hardware store and they carry the blank gm keys with the thing in the middle. They just make a new one and it works like a charm. oh and it cost 1/4 the price. Just for the record, my cousin have a 95 firebird and he got his key from the same hardware store. Works like charm!



:)

[DAS BOOT]

Re: I Broke My Damn Key

Umm, no. My 96 started and ran perfectly every single crank. I can just go to my local hardware store and they carry the blank gm keys with the thing in the middle. They just make a new one and it works like a charm. oh and it cost 1/4 the price. Just for the record, my cousin have a 95 firebird and he got his key from the same hardware store. Works like charm!



:)

Did you disable vats, or does the guy at the hardware store know how to test the resistor and get the right key blank.


All 4th gens have VATS, it started in like 89 or 90(I guess 90 form the guy above)

I belive its 15 seperate blanks, and wrong chip deactivates the car for a short while(I had 2 camaros and have put the wrong key in before)

I have had like 3-4 keys made at the dealer it was always like $27.50

If you cn figure out what key blank you need, you can get one off ebay and just get it cut at any locksmith. Heck I could do it(have a key cutting machine at work)

[Toledofirebird]

Re: I Broke My Damn Key

When I got my VATS key cut for my 91 convertible. He inserted my key into a box and pressed a button. a light illuminated on which resistor key to use. He then cut that. ACE is the PLACE!

[95astrovan]

Re: I Broke My Damn Key

The VATS started earlier than 96, because my camaro is a 95 and the key has a chip, and both of my buddie's 91's had chips in the keys...just for the info =D

[RAZOR Z]

Re: I Broke My Damn Key

My 89 had VATS.

[CamaroJeff™]

Re: I Broke My Damn Key

yeah well... my 94 has the vats key

fwiw it all depends on your local hardware store. not all of em carry the vats blanks. if anything the cheapest way would be to bypass vats and go w/ a regular key.