BlueRidgeMark

My '97 has been sitting a bit, since the trans started slipping on me. Life has just been too busy to get to it.

I'm about to replace the trans fluid, and find that I have lost the one and only key I had!

Yeah, yeah, I know. Stupid to have only one. Long story. Still stupid.


Can I get a key made based on the VIN? Or do I just call a locksmith out?

Or do I have to replace the stupid lock cylinder?

Cerveja

Stealership may be able to help you out, will you need to reprogram the fob as well or do you still have that? If you want to save yourself a service charge, you may be able to pull a door lock cylinder and bring that to the locksmith verses having them come to you.

CCKen

A FOB won't start the Heep, you'll need the key.

And how is the OP going to remove the door lock cylinder if he can't open the door? LOL

You must know a shady locksmith in Detroit that will back door a vehicle key. Another LOL

Just go to the dealer with your VIN and your registration certificate and get a new key(s) made. Oh, and bring some cash too.

BlueRidgeMark

I live in the country. We don't lock our doors.


Thanks for the info - I called the dealer and will probably go get a key this afternoon.

Doing the fluid replacement will have to wait until the snow melts!

Firestorm500

We don't know if the door(s) are locked or not.

A good locksmith can make a key by inserting a blank into the door lock or ignition cylinder and feeling where the tumblers are. He then pulls the key out, files on it some, and repeats the process until all the tumblers move to where they should be and the key engages.

Good car thieves can do this too.

CCKen

I didn't think you can buy key blanks for automobiles - newer ones at least (?).

Turbo X_J

Sounds like something a dead car thief would do.

Hoosier8

Lost my one key for my 93 and the locksmith tried that but the locks were so worn that he could not do it so he called in the VIN for the key info. Expensive.

Firestorm500

'97 is not a newer vehicle. No chip is in the key.

OP posted about his country living as I was typing my post, so I didn't see his post. Thank you for pointing that out.

Hoosier8

Since my 93 was so old, no info from the dealer so there is a service they subscribe to. The guy came out to where the vehicle was parked and it would have cost around $90 if he could have gotten it himself but cost something like $250 calling it in.

Firestorm500

Whenever I buy a used vehicle, I have 3 or 4 keys made for it. Some I keep at home, some I keep at my shop.

Lowrange2

I had a key made by the VIN at the dealership just a few months ago. Not because I lost mine but because my original was so worn down that it wouldn't have made a very good copy.

Take the VIN and proof of ownership into the dealer and they'll make you a key on the spot. It took him about 5 minutes and it cost me $9.00.

CCKen

My old lady lost the Key/FOB combo to her 2010 T&C. It cost $250 to get a new one from the dealer.

JWheeler

It sounds like some of you guys are getting ripped off by lock smiths. If the key is not chipped and the locks have not been changed, it shouldn't cost more that $10 to get one from a dealer. The parts dept at my work cuts keys for free it you buy it from them and the is no charge to looking up the key code by the vin.

NCsXJ

same thing almost happened to me when we were car shopping the beginning of the year. left the keys at the dealership. good thing my cousin worked there so he found them the very next day. went to walmart and made three copies just in case of future stuff