im replacing the steering column on my car the replacement column comes with a key do i have to use my 1st key still or can i just plug n play with the new key?

 

I believe you still need the first key

 

Did it come with the key with the chip? If not then you will have to use your old key switch,it will have 2 wires,orange and white,you can use a key switch with out the chip,if you get a resistor that has the same ohms as you old key,and just insert it in the black plug,with orange and white wires under dash,then when you go to start car,the VATS system will reconize the ohms.
That way you can use a 17 doller key switch,instead of the 50 doller key switch.Touch positive to one side and negitave to the other side of the key,with a ohm meter,measure ohms,then go to radio shack and get a few resisers,they are real cheap, with in 1 ohms of the original key and insert it in the wire I told you about,resister is under 50 cents
If your key measure 3 ohms,try to get a 3 ohm resister,if you can not find one ,get a 2 to 2 1/2 ohm resister and so on. I did this to my 90 model formula ,when the key switch messed up,car never failed to start,the VATS system thought it had the correct key,when I had the key with no chip.
hope that helps!!!

 

Good Idea but i found the Key's Cheap on Ebay uncut, just measure your OHM Resistants and make sure you buy the correct replacement, and i had a local locksmith cut em for cheap....

 

i personally would want to keep my Vats working only with the key and not bypassed. a friend had his camaro stolen and his VATS were turned off. he got lucky and got his car back, shortly after he returned his VATS to correct working order.

measure the key that came with the coulm, if its the same as your orig key then your ok, no need to spend any cash. if its diff then take the old key and tell them you need one cut to this key but match the value to the orig key and your done. as mentioned by one person, you can get a key off the bay if you know your value.