Alright, I lost my keys last night while racing some full contact gokarts, and I never had a chance to make a backup set. What is the easiest way to get a set of keys for it?? I figure I will have to replace the ignition cylinder with a new one, but can I take my door lock cylinder somewhere and get a key made from that?? That would probably be a lot easier and cheaper than replacing all of them. I dont know, what is my best bet??

 

Or is there somewhere that can get my keys from my vin?? maybe GM?? I'm desparate!!!

 

Call a locksmith. I had my old camaro stolen and the keys were gone when it was found and impounded years later. A locksmith managed to make me a new set of keys in 20 or 30 minutes. Now that I think about it, he didn't make me a door key, just ignition. You may need to replace the locks in your doors.

 

yeah call a lock smith. thay have a thing called a key gun and can make you a key in a few minutes or less.

 

Might want to think twice about that if you have VATS If your key had that little resistor on it you might have better luck calling the delership. I dont know how much they want for a key but the cylinder for that kinda ignition is somewhere around 90 bucks.


>I replaced mine with one that came out of a wrecked Camaro. There is an idea. If you can find a ignition on a boneyard car with the key in it. You might get away with it for 10 bucks.

 

thanks, Locksmith did it. I didnt know they could do that!

 

how much did that cost grizz?

 

I think I paid 50 bucks.

 

the same thing happend to me..but the easiest way is to call GM, or go there cause from the vin# there is a special code that they can give you to have the locksmith cut the keys with , problem with my car was the door locks were changed so i was charged 150 bucks to have the locsmith come to my house and make me new keys.

 

The drivers door lock cylinder and the steering column ignition lock cylinder are likely very worn anyways in your thirdgen. Loosing the keys makes a good excuse to replace the locks.

Should be able to get an entire lockset for your ride for under $100. To install the door lock cylinders, you'll need to remove the interior door panels. To install the steering column cylinder, you'll need a lock plate compressor and steering wheel puller. The actual ignition lock cylinder is either held in using a screw or spring loaded pushpin depending on the year of your ride.

 

ya. when u replace your ignition cylinder, you realize how easy it is to steal out cars!! thank goodness for VATS. i remember when i had to replace my ignition cylinder. it got to the point where i couldn't turn the key to start the car. so i pulled the wheel and replace the cylinder. and 3 days later.. guesss what happens. my car gets broken into.... busted steering column (and igniton cylinder.. ). but did they get my car? nope.. thanks to VATS....

 

locksmith

 

I know this thread is old but I recently lost my keys in mexico (I know..shouldnt of taken them in the 1st place) anyway its a long story! the problem is my car (an '89 GTA) is at my house...I can still get into it using a slim jim I bought at a $1 store but thats it; I have no keys to the ignition or doors! Am I Going to have to haul the thing to the nearest locksmith? any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

anyone? I kinda need to get this thing running hopefully by tomorrow since its my daily driver! Thanks!

 

Due to 89s having VATS you need to call a locksmith or take it to a GM dealer. You have to bring the car to the GM dealership. GM will not make you keys anymore even with a title in your name. Locksmiths will cost you $125-$200 just for the ignition key and the doors will be even more. GM will be a min. of $90-$100 for 1 hours labor and $20 for the key and the cost of the tow to them. I just went through this with a 91 Formula last summer.

 

Yeah, I called a couple of locksmiths and some didn't have the proper equipment to make VATS keys! About 3 or 4 did however, I was quoted between $100-$200 like you said. One guy told me that it would be about 3 hours of work and that he'd have to go through 15 different VATS keys until mine was found! I'm going to have a mobile service come to my house tomorrow to make me a VATS key as well as a back up; that guy quoted me about $150! Damn I will never let something like this happen to me again! its a freakin hassel!

 

bypass vats instead....much cheaper

 

Yeah I heard that without VATS, our cars would be a snap to steal so I think Im just going to stick with a new key! Id rather deal with lost keys than a "lost" car if u know what I mean lol!

 

Alrite! I already got the keys made and I only paid $110! not bad huh? I learned my lesson from this! Always have a spare set of keys made!

 

Just to add to this thread a guy on ebay sells vats ignition cylinders and can purchase a key with it shipped to your house for 75 bucks, not bad as long as you know what resistance value you key has, i first went to the dealer and they were going to sell me the ignition cylinder with no key for 75 bucks and i'd have to get a lock smith make me a key or have the cylinder keyed to my key, sounded like to much money to me, lol

 

Thats why I always keep a flat spare key in my wallet. I learned my lesson when I had to break into my car with a coat hanger!

 

I find 89-92 f-bodies for sale that have been broken into and the column is destroyed, own lost the keys and can't figure out a standard key won't work. I got a great deal on a 91 Formula 305 TPI 5 speed with 97K and the guy who owned it paid a locksmith to make a vats key and still couldn't get it started. It had a expensive alarm system in it which the remote was lost also. I removed the alarm system and the car started right up after I paid for it. I bought a VATS decoder from a locksmith for $230 so I could do it myself. I have bought 3 cars since buying it without keys so, its already paid for itself.