Hey guys I got mad the other day and threw my key at thge ground not realizing there was a chip inside it and i broke the chip. I went to the key making place and they tried to read it and they were getting a flashing 15 so they gave me a 15 key and it didnt work on my car. So they told me I would need a new ignition to solve this that will cost me 175 dollars. I was wondering if anyone else has ever done this and how they got it done? thanks
Mitchell

PS
Can i get the VIN code to my ignition or my car?

 

You don't need a new ignition system. Do you have a friend into burning their own chips? The VATS value should be in there somewhere.


There are 15 different values, you *could* try the other 14 keys, but thatd get expensive.

There are other ways too, but I'm too lazy to post them.

 

I used to just kick my tires when I got angry... then one day I kicked the tire and coulda swore I broke my big toe. I gotta say tho, I wasn't angry anymore; I was in too much pain!

 

If the key physically fits in and the ignition turns, then you could bypass the VATS. I've never done it, but you get a resistor from the local electronics store that is equal to the resistance in the key, and you can splice it in somewhere. Do a search and if you look hard enough I'm sure you will find the procedure.

 

Take your ttle to a GM dealer, tell them you need a key made, should cost you about 60 bux (maybe a little more). This happens all the time, dealerships ALWAYS make the right key, if it doesn't work, they'll make it (prolly give you another key). Trust me, I've done this for many models of car (BMW, Lexus, MB, Infiniti, Fords).

 

ypu that's what i was about to say...i was going to get an extra key made so the buyer of my previous camaro would have 2 keys...brought it to lowe's who said they cant do it because it has the chip, and only a dealership is capable of doing it. should be $50-60

 

what about without VATS?

 

This probably isn't what you're looking for, but you could most likely score another complete steering column w/ key from a local junkyard and go that route.
And, if the new column has tilt and a better steering wheel... you could kill 2 birds w/ 1 stone.

It would most likely be about the same $$ as having the dealer make you a new key though.

I tend to do things the hard way; I'm sure people will disagree to the steering column swap.

 

w/o vats, this isn't an issue at all. any old place (home depot, lowe's) can cut a key for you if it doesn't have a chip. costs maybe $2 instead of the $50 for a VATS key

 

The thing is, the ignition cylinder is seized and the key broke (not inside) -- should I just pick up a new cylinder/key from the dealer?

 

If yours is a non-VATS car you can just pick up a new lock cylinder at any auto parts store and put it in. As for getting a new VATS key, the usual going rate that I have seen for the key is usually around $23.00 - $25.00 and the lock cylinder itself is around $50.00 - $60.00 plus tax at the dealership. You can get the new VATS lock cylinder at some auto parts store made by several different manufacturers. Some are higher and some are lower priced than the dealership. One thing that all these lock cylinders have in common though is this, none of them come with a coded key, Just the brass key used for cutting the coded key comes with it.

 

i needed another key and i went to the dealer and they charged me only $20. so just go down there and you should get off pretty cheap.

 

I will just say that I got 2 extra keys made for $20 a pop at a local hardware store.

I was also tring to get a replacement door lock key for another car, and i did not have a cylinder with me so they cut me the 7 keys that that particular car had for that year. I took back the extras, and had another made. Only charged me 1.03. Price for 1 key, although he cut me basically 6 keys.

 

Yea I found long ago that throwing things doesn't solve anything (Put my fist through the front of my computer and threw it across the room ) I just shake my fists now and yell "DAMN IT" and keep going.

 

Well...I just happened to have a similar problem with my car. I found out that the vats is a 2 wire connector right by the steering column, and you can just splice the correct resistance into the system....Like somebody ahead of me said, there's only 15 values... you can buy a set of resistors at radio shack for under $5 I'm sure, and you could probably come up with each of the 15 different resistances with those. It is real easy because with resistors in series, you just add the resistance. So you need an ohmmeter, and some resistors and you're good.

 

what was the name of that store? i kinda wanna go shopping