I have a 1998 buick that the Key was getting hard to turn and then it just locked up, only turning after doing a lot of key jiggling,
so I started the process of taking the cylinder out of the car as I am pretty sure the tumblers wore out.
well after a 4 Hr.long fight with the car over trying to figure out how to get the top of the wheel cover off with out lowering the shift to remove the dash board I finely got the ignition out of the car,in 2 pieces ,but I got it out.
so now I am in the research part of this little nightmare for buying a new ignition lock cylinder .
I saw on another board that this key has some kind of electronic chip or something that has to communicate with the computer .well that complicated things
as I do not know how to program the new key to the car,or even if I have to for this model car .
I tried to put up some pics of my key to ask if any of you know if this as even a chip key or not but this board Mod has not approved me for pics yet
so I will try to describe it ,the key has a soft rubber cover on it and there is a little black square embedded on both side of the key shaft just below the key handle
I see new ignition lock cylinders on Ebay for a 100 bucks but I am worried the chip won't work in my car .
any advice or ideas ???
some one told me in passing today that if I have my old key the dealer ship can sale me a ignition lock cylinder that will fit my old key . dose that sound right ?
thank for any help in advance .
my VIN # is 2G4WS52M9X1466859

I think My Key is a
(1998 Buick Century VATS Ignition Key )

 

 

Ok I found this out a while ago ,its a VATS system.here is a web page with some info about it that helped http://vats.likeabigdog.com/

I put my tester on the Key resistor and it read 0.714 so I think I got a Number # 3 programed in my car .my question is are all the Ignition Lock Cylinders the same and the key are the only differences in Values of the resistors ?
in other words can I just buy the Ignition Lock Cylinder on eBay and then just buy a # 3 VATS Key and cut it to the new Ignition Lock Cylinder or are they some how the Key and the Ignition Lock Cylinder matched together ? ,

here is the chart I m going by from that site

 

You'd probably have better luck on a forum for Buicks than one for Camaros/Firebirds. Try buickforums.com

 

thanks Dave .I all ready have one there but have no luck there ether
http://buickforums.com/forums/thread...Cylinder-stuck
I thought I might get luck here as the VATS system seems to be in a lot of GM cars
but I have found something on eBay that may be a way out of the VATS system if the Dealership is to ruff on me today.it a bypass that may work.see below
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281431978438?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

That just looks like an expensive resistor. Should only cost a few cents at a local electronics supply store.

If you have to, places like Digikey or maybe radio shack also carry resistors. Shipping might be excessive though.

Digi-key 1/4 watt resistor:
RNF14FTD681RCT-ND RES 681 OHM 1/4W 1% AXIAL 1 Immediate 0 0.15000 $0.15
http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea...75783804296483

...here's a 1 watt if that isn't enough:
CPF681ECT-ND RESISTOR METAL FILM 1W 681 OHM 1 Immediate 0 0.33000 $0.33
http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea...75784194173125

Both are within 1% tolerance so should be well within range.

Edit: Lol, I'm only kidding but if you were a stranded McGyver type you could probably solder your key to the wiring and get it to work.

 

thanks for the info and links
the dealership just told me they wanted 340 bucks for the key switch and 1 Key,so I just ordered this off of eBay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/320988245191?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AITand I think I can get a # 3 key for about 15 bucks seen here ,I hope it works

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221256833536?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT



if the parts are the right ones and it works it should only cost me about a 100 bucks and my time .got my fingers crossed

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