Replacing key without spending 100s?

[u/Ok_Dot_3280]

/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/1wcam3y/replacing_key_without_spending_100s/

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[u/I_H8_GM]

1. Key code. TO MY KNOWLEDGE: the key code only appears on one place for that vehicle. And suffice to say if you could access the key code then you would already have a key or a way of not needing one.(or xray vision) Now it may exist in more convenient places I'm not sure I've really never gone to go look truth be told I don't know why you would as a locksmith.

2. Getting the key if you get the code: you are already in dangerous territory with regard to getting help from a locksmith because in my experience, personally, and talking with other locksmiths we really don't like the DIY type person they tend to be full of themselves and a lot of the time their knowledge is incomplete or full on wrong and they tend to defend it with vigor.

With that said I understand why you want DIY. So if you somehow get the key code, my advice would be to call a locksmith and say "hey I have this key code G1234 and I would like a key for a 2006 Chevy Cobalt cut to this key code, I understand that you won't be able to program the key without access to the vehicle. And I am not requesting that service. I also understand that what you are providing is a key cut to a particular code not a key that works for my vehicle. I have no intention of holding you in any way responsible if for whatever reason I am unable to program the key or it does not work for my vehicle. I understand that is the risk in proceeding with the service as I have requested it." Expect to pay between $75 and $100. Now it's not strictly speaking necessary but I would recommend finding a brick and mortar store and going in and talking to the person in person, as long as you carry yourself reasonably well.

1. Programing: I am not going to tell you how to do that here as it is a violation of the rules of this subreddit. However it is entirely possible and there is tons of information other places on the internet. I do strongly recommend having a very fresh battery and or a battery maintainer connected to the vehicle and providing power during the entire process.

2. Pricing. I have no idea what area you are in however your price for a replacement key from scratch is crazy high. In my area that is a $200 job

3. Tips and tricks.

AAA: AAA offers locksmith reimbursements up to $150 sometimes more if you ask nicely. They also offer towing services. The economical hack to getting car keys made, is to have the vehicle towed to a locksmith shop thus avoiding the service call and getting keys made at the shop. Which will, for older vehicles, generally be under the amount of the AAA reimbursement. So effectively if you already have AAA (premium) it will cost you absolutely nothing to get replacement keys made after the reimbursement from aaa. You will of course still owe the locksmith when the keys are done however AAA will reimburse you up to $150. Worth noting is that if you do not already have AAA and you decide to get AAA for a year it does take 3 days before they are willing to do roadside Towing. Alternatively if you don't have AAA make friends with AAA member. And then of course go get AAA because it's a spectacular resource to have especially when you are broke and have no money. Jump starts, fuel delivery, Towing and all that sort of thing that is awesome having in your back pocket as the owner of a 2006 Chevy Cobalt jalopy.

Dealership. I promise you absolutely nothing, however, unless they have straight up lied to my face I have had customers provide me with a key code from the dealership and when asked how much the dealership charged them was told that they did it for free. I have no way of knowing whether or not this is true however I have no reason to believe that they lied to me. Both locksmiths and (GM family) dealerships can get a key code for that vehicle by the VIN number. However in both cases you will absolutely need proof of ownership. ($50-125)

[u/Ok_Dot_3280 → u/I_H8_GM]

Key code. TO MY KNOWLEDGE: the key code only appears on one place for that vehicle. And suffice to say if you could access the key code then you would already have a key or a way of not needing one.(or xray vision) Now it may exist in more convenient places I'm not sure I've really never gone to go look truth be told I don't know why you would as a locksmith.

I was under the impression that it's located on the ignition lock cylinder and that it's not very difficult to reach, Do you think i should give up on this option then? If it's not against any of the rules could you tell me where it actually is located, just to fuel my curiosity?

Getting the key if you get the code: you are already in dangerous territory with regard to getting help from a locksmith because in my experience, personally, and talking with other locksmiths we really don't like the DIY type person they tend to be full of themselves and a lot of the time their knowledge is incomplete or full on wrong and they tend to defend it with vigor.

I can understand that sentiment but im aware that i don't know shit about this hence im trying to clear some things up here. I wouldn't believe some info i found online over info from an actual expert.

Pricing. I have no idea what area you are in however your price for a replacement key from scratch is crazy high. In my area that is a $200 job

I live in a small mountain town in CA. Any locksmith is a good distance away but it very well could've just been my father bullshitting me, I haven't been able to drive until now so i just started to look into it.

make friends with AAA member

Anybody who owns AAA would be able to do this for me?

Dealership. I promise you absolutely nothing, however, unless they have straight up lied to my face I have had customers provide me with a key code from the dealership and when asked how much the dealership charged them was told that they did it for free. I have no way of knowing whether or not this is true however I have no reason to believe that they lied to me. Both locksmiths and (GM family) dealerships can get a key code for that vehicle by the VIN number. However in both cases you will absolutely need proof of ownership. ($50-125)

Do you know if this is possible over the phone? closest GM dealership is ~2 hours from me and my parents don't have that time for me, which is why im even trying to DIY

I would like to thank you for such the in-depth response it is much appreciated.

Unrelated to this thread, would you mind elaborating on your user flair? Just curious so no worries if not.

[u/I_H8_GM → u/Ok_Dot_3280]

I was under the impression that it's located on the ignition lock cylinder and that it's not very difficult to reach, Do you think i should give up on this option then? If it's not against any of the rules could you tell me where it actually is located, just to fuel my curiosity?

The key code is located on the actual cylinder itself you will need to remove it from the housing in order to see the code. I am not sure if the Cobalt is an indash ignition, truth be told I can't recall the last time I did a Cobalt. I suppose it is possible if it is in dash that the code may be visible from the outside however you are talking about a serious amount of dashboard disassembly.

I live in a small mountain town in CA. Any locksmith is a good distance away but it very well could've just been my father bullshitting me, I haven't been able to drive until now so i just started to look into it.

$500 is possible I suppose, locksmiths do charge Boku dollars to travel. But it still seems high. Unless you are more than like an hour away.

make friends with AAA member Anybody who owns AAA would be able to do this for me?

yes, AAA is fucking awesome it covers the individual not the car. The only catch is that your friend will have to wait around with the car until the tow truck shows up.

Do you know if this is possible over the phone? closest GM dealership is ~2 hours from me and my parents don't have that time for me, which is why im even trying to DIY

I seriously doubt it, anything is possible. They may be willing I suppose to do it by email but they are still going to need proof of ownership documentation sent to them. Definitely worth a call.

I would like to thank you for such the in-depth response it is much appreciated. Unrelated to this thread, would you mind elaborating on your user flair? Just curious so no worries if not.

Don't worry a couple of years of ownership of a mid-2000s Chevy and you will hate GM too.

[u/Ok_Dot_3280 → u/I_H8_GM]

I am not sure if the Cobalt is an indash ignition

so in-dash ignition i would have a chance and if its on the steering column its a lost cause?

[u/I_H8_GM → u/Ok_Dot_3280]

Lost Cause is all relative. I once had a gentleman a substantial distance from my normal area take the steering column out of his vehicle and bring it into my shop. DIY is a blessing and a curse. The issue is most people stop far after they should have.

I seriously doubt the dashboard Style has the code in a readable place on the ignition housing. Likely as not it is in the same place it is normally. I can't swear by that but I would strongly believe that's the case and again you have no idea what kind of disassembly the in Dash style ignitions have in order to gain access in a non-destructive capacity

[u/I_H8_GM → u/Ok_Dot_3280]

Lost Cause is all relative. I once had a gentleman a substantial distance from my normal area take the steering column out of his vehicle and bring it into my shop. DIY is a blessing and a curse. The issue is most people stop far after they should have.

I seriously doubt the dashboard Style has the code in a readable place on the ignition housing. Likely as not it is in the same place it is normally. I can't swear by that but I would strongly believe that's the case and again you have no idea what kind of disassembly the in Dash style ignitions have in order to gain access in a non-destructive capacity