Hey guys. I just bought a new blank pk-3 and had it cut. It opens my car. And when I use the original key and then swap it out quickly I can start it with that key, however, if I try to start it cold with that key it says starting disabled, service theft system. Am I able to program this pk-3 transponder key on my own with just one original key and if so how? I've seen it done on other Buicks on YouTube, what swapping out the key trick does not work as I don't have a vehicle look icon on my dashboard. Does anybody know another way to program it yourself using only one original key?

Let me get this right......your old key is a working Master key, not a valet key(you can't program with a valet key).......

You insert the Master key, and turn to run(not the crank position).....the SECURITY LIGHT comes on and then goes out.....remove Master key, now within 3 seconds, you install the new key, and turn to run(not crank)......the SECURITY LIGHT comes on and then goes out......turn key to off and remove, and wait 5 seconds, then reinsert and try to start the vehicle....

If this is what you are doing, but the next time you go to start the vehicle, the SECURITY LIGHT stays on, did you ever check for a security code, like P1629?

Sometimes if a code is set, it has to be cleared before the new key is programmed....

The only other thing I can think of, is the vehicle will only let you program so many keys....if you are at the limit, you can't program another key, until you wipe out from memory, some of the other keys that are programmed into the car....you need a Tech II to do this....

But first thing I would do is check to see if there are any security codes set in the PCM.....

I have an original master key. However when I try the method explain you can keep the car started however it says "starting disabled" in the OBD. It will not start the vehicle though and says "starting disabled". I believe it is because it is a Canadian model maybe that is doesn't have a security light that flashes, lights up, or is even present on the dash. The only other thing that comes up is in the OBD that says "service theft system"

Calgary?

Does your owner'* manual talk about a SECURITY light in the dash? Sometimes it is the word "security" spelled out, or sometimes it is a symbol of a padlock.....

Scanned for codes?

Calgary, yes. The word SECURITY is no where mentioned or shown on the dash nor is any symbol or icon shown or mentioned. Only the words STARTING DISABLED appears in the OBD window and stays there. It also says briefly SERVICE THEFT SYSTEM..

I cannot scan for codes yet, because I have no
OBD II scanner.

Does your owner'* manual talk about a SECURITY light in the dash? Sometimes it is the word "security" spelled out, or sometimes it is a symbol of a padlock.....

Scanned for codes?[/QUOTE]

Calgary, yes. It does not mention or show any icon or the word SECURITY in the dash OBD or manual. When the new key is placed in An turned to on the words STARTING DISABLED show in the OBD. when turned back to off, it flashes once, SERVICE THEFT SYSTEM then goes out. The method of using a master key turned to on and then replacing the new key and turning it to on does not remove the STARTING DISABLED words in the OBD. It you try to start it immediately though it will turn on but the STARTING DISABLED will remain. I even took it out for a drive with it still saying that! However, if you try to use the key later and turn it to on or try to start the car, it will say STARTING DISABLED in the OBD. The dealership is saying there are three systems used that program the new keys, easy, hard, and grotesque, in his words. He thought mine was the hard method, but he wouldn't elaborate or explain that method to me. If I purchase a low end OBD II scanner, will I be able to reprogram this key myself. The dealership wants $70 to do this and I'm determined not to pay that much for that! Any other methods that may work or a buying a lower end OBD II scanner? HELP!

So what you are saying is, if say, first time you try start the car with the new key, you get a starting disabled message and the car won't start?

What happens if you immediately try the old key? Is the message gone and the car starts?

If it starts, and there is no message, I wonder if the new key is bad.....where was the key purchased?

The new key was purchased at a local locksmith and cut. It opens the door but has NOT been programmed. I did as you said and immediately placed old master key in and it started with no message showing.

The fact that, the old master key will start the vehicle with no problem, makes me think 3 things...

1. Have you scanned for security codes and cleared them?

2. As I said before, I don't know how long you have owned the car, but you can only program so many keys into this vehicle.....if in the past keys have been lost and new ones added that you don't know about, the limit could have been reached......only a GM shop with a Tech II can fix that problem.....

3. I'm thinking you might have a bad/wrong key......

$70.00 Canadian would be under $55.00 USD. In my book that'* a good deal. Let the dealership get it over with and move on with life. A simple scanner is around half that . . .

. . . and won't reprogram anything. You might see useful codes with a scanner but won't be able to do much with them.