Chipped Keys?

tomrex · August 31, 2007

Does anyone know if the new body trucks have chips in the keys? People were told that the classic style had chips, but they didn't...i made many a key for my old trucks. Just got a new Duramax Crew and would like to make a key (I have my own machine) and not pay the dealer the $72.90 for an extra. Anyone know for sure, or should I just make one and see if it works? Thanks a million! Tom.

99silverado1500 · August 31, 2007

I am pretty sure they do. The dealer said not to copy them even on mine a 99, but idn if their lying or not.

tomrex · August 31, 2007

I am pretty sure they do. The dealer said not to copy them even on mine a 99, but idn if their lying or not.

I'm pretty sure there is not one in yours, I've had 3 (from 99-04) and copied all of them without issues; so if you need keys, go to the hardware, the cheap ones work just fine. They changed the key design a little with the new body style...I think I'm just going to try it, what's the worst that can happen, it won't start?

99silverado1500 · August 31, 2007

Id hope so, I wouldnt think it would screw up the ignition, but you never know. Id wait someone has to know on here.

sirjeffro · August 31, 2007

I've had a couple made for my '03 1500HD at Lowe's with no problems. Unlocks doors and starts the engine.

Even if you copy a "chipped" key you can still unlock the door if you're locked out (that is, if you're done paying for OnStar )

Maybe just make sure that running the original key on the machine will not damage/disable the electronics, if it's really there.

Later,

Jeff P.

Zembonez · August 31, 2007

Does anyone know if the new body trucks have chips in the keys? People were told that the classic style had chips, but they didn't...i made many a key for my old trucks. Just got a new Duramax Crew and would like to make a key (I have my own machine) and not pay the dealer the $72.90 for an extra. Anyone know for sure, or should I just make one and see if it works? Thanks a million! Tom.

Why not just make one and see? Looks like you have the upper hand here with the key making materials in hand. Let us know how it comes out... We'd all like to know the answer.

BigJayDogg3 · September 1, 2007

I know I was told that on a 2000 Lesabre that you could unlock the doors with a key that wasn't chipped, but if you tried to start the car, the car would go into somekind of theft lockdown mode, where it would lock the ignition and wouldn't start until you took it to the dealer. I was also told you could reprogram the keys that have the chip, but just aren't programmed. In my car you would start the car with the already programmed key twice, and then start it with the new key, but I wouldn't try it, I wouldn't want someone with a tow bill because of me. LOL

Zembonez · September 1, 2007

I know I was told that on a 2000 Lesabre that you could unlock the doors with a key that wasn't chipped, but if you tried to start the car, the car would go into somekind of theft lockdown mode, where it would lock the ignition and wouldn't start until you took it to the dealer. I was also told you could reprogram the keys that have the chip, but just aren't programmed. In my car you would start the car with the already programmed key twice, and then start it with the new key, but I wouldn't try it, I wouldn't want someone with a tow bill because of me. LOL

Did you notice any smoke in your farts soon after that?

BigJayDogg3 · September 1, 2007

I know I was told that on a 2000 Lesabre that you could unlock the doors with a key that wasn't chipped, but if you tried to start the car, the car would go into somekind of theft lockdown mode, where it would lock the ignition and wouldn't start until you took it to the dealer. I was also told you could reprogram the keys that have the chip, but just aren't programmed. In my car you would start the car with the already programmed key twice, and then start it with the new key, but I wouldn't try it, I wouldn't want someone with a tow bill because of me. LOL

Did you notice any smoke in your farts soon after that?

Um...What you lost me.

Zembonez · September 1, 2007

I know I was told that on a 2000 Lesabre that you could unlock the doors with a key that wasn't chipped, but if you tried to start the car, the car would go into somekind of theft lockdown mode, where it would lock the ignition and wouldn't start until you took it to the dealer. I was also told you could reprogram the keys that have the chip, but just aren't programmed. In my car you would start the car with the already programmed key twice, and then start it with the new key, but I wouldn't try it, I wouldn't want someone with a tow bill because of me. LOL

Did you notice any smoke in your farts soon after that?

Um...What you lost me.

Sorry... just a silly joke. Ya know - like somebody was blowing smoke up your a$$ telling you that the car would somehow self destruct if you used the wrong key.

sonjaab · September 1, 2007

Had a regular $2.00 key made at my local hardware store for my 04 and it

worked fine. Haven't had one made for my 07 gmt-900 yet.

tomrex · September 3, 2007

Alright, got the key on the way... $11.95 on ebay. I'll make one and keep you all posted.

tomrex · September 8, 2007

Alright, received the key today, cut it, and....no dice. GM has, unfortunatley, made it more expensive for us to make keys now. I can open the door, turn the ignition on but it won't even crank. "Service Theft Det. System" appears in the DIC. Oh well, it was worth a shot. Called the dealer and they said $50 to program the extra key. Oh well, thought I would share. Take care all, don't loose those keys.

Zembonez · September 8, 2007

Alright, received the key today, cut it, and....no dice. GM has, unfortunatley, made it more expensive for us to make keys now. I can open the door, turn the ignition on but it won't even crank. "Service Theft Det. System" appears in the DIC. Oh well, it was worth a shot. Called the dealer and they said $50 to program the extra key. Oh well, thought I would share. Take care all, don't loose those keys.

Typical... Thanks for letting us know.

jake111 · September 13, 2007

For my 2004.5 3500 SRW I have always been concerned that the copies of the key I had made might not work under some circumstances. They work just fine under normal conditions.

Google for "passlock passkey" and there's a lot of information. If I understood it, "Passkey" ('80s into the mid '90s I think) had the transponder in the key itself. "Passlock" (mid '90s to recently, at least) has an inner tumbler that activates a resistor, and hopefully can only be reached by a properly copied key. So, using a non-transpondered key in a "Passkey" system, or forcing the lock in a "Passlock" system, or trying to hotwire either, the computer will detect this and it won't start. (I believe on my diesel truck it will crank but not provide fuel.)

This subject gets a lot write-up for people who want to wire in a remote starter, or just want to be able to bypass it.

For 2004 and there-abouts, it's Passlock and we can make cheap copies of the keys. For Passkey I guess you have to pay to get a special key and have it programmed in. For 2007 and later I have no idea!!