Do ignition keys have to have chips in them?

[y_p_w]

My understanding is that if you go to a dealer for one of these things, they more than likely will program a new key to the car.

I've heard of people who have gotten cloned keys, and that doesn't actually change the programming of the ignition-kill system. However, if you get a new key from the dealer, they'll actually end up programming a new key to the system.

Also - prices vary a lot. I've heard of people paying as little as $30 at a dealer or more than $150. Some dealers see it as a profit center, while others see it as a courtesy to the customer.

 

[Smcatub]

Yeah, like people are indicating with their posts here you gotta shop around for everything, even locksmiths.

The place I go to will do a GM key (resistor) for $8 and we got a chipped Ford key for $30ish

 

[PF52]

Originally Posted By: ls1mike
...VATS as it gets older kind of sucks, but easy to bypass or fix.


On our Impala, I just cut the wires to the VATS sensor and soldered a resistor in its place. A few re-learn cycles later and the car had its new permanent resistance - and starts every time. Easy fix.