I took a reading with a digital ohm meter and out of the four settings that were available, the one I got the reading from was on the 200k setting but the value was 06.0. Any idea what code that relates to? I emailed the ebay seller and he basically told me to go to a dealer or Radio Shack.

CODE- RESISTOR VALUE IN OHMS

1- 402

2 -523

3 -681

4- 887

5 -1130

6 -1470

7 -1870

8- 2370

9 -3010

10- 3740

11 -4750

12- 6040

13 -7500

14- 9530

15 -11800

My electrical is a little rusty at the moment..although being on the hundreds scale..I'd assume you were equivalent to the 6040 or within the 5% tolerance for #12

That would be correct. 6040 ohms. Or 6.04k.

Thanks Bill, Will, it looks as though that may be my best bet. I check and asked if I was wrong could I return them and they won't accept it if it'* my mistake therefore just to double check, do you think I would be better off using my ohm meter that'* not digital?


This is what I got from there web site:

How to decode a VATS key.

Decoding a VATS key is very simple, but it requires that you know how to use an ohm meter. Any multimeter will have an ohm meter and any Radio Shack, Electronic or Hardware Store can sell you one.

All VATS keys have a resistor embedded in the key blade with metal prongs protruding out of each side of the key blade. In order to read the resistance of the resistor in the key blade, place one lead of the ohm meter on one metal prong, and the other lead on the other metal prong, opposite, on the other side of the key blade. With the leads in there proper position a resistance value can be read from the ohm meter.



Once you get your reading, match the resistance value given by your ohm meter to the resistance value, in the right column, in the chart below. The value from your ohm meter will probably not match, exactly, the resistance value in the chart below, but choose the value closest to the value on your ohm meter. The corresponding code number is the identification number of your VATS key.

CODE RESISTOR VALUE IN OHMS

1 402

2 523

3 681

4 887

5 1130

6 1470

7 1870

8 2370

9 3010

10 3740

11 4750

12 6040

13 7500

14 9530

15 11800

No other value is close enough to be in error.

Find a locksmith that has a passkey or vats 'interrogator'. I have 3 locksmiths in town that can do this. As well as cut me a new key for $18.

That'* a good price Will, unfortunately that doesn't help me in Canada unless your coming to NEBF. Last time I got a key cut they wouldn't give me any info other than the charge of around $40.00 US. to cut a key here in Ontario. The key on Ebay is $32.00 US including shipping for 3 blank keys. I though that was a great price compared to what I would pay here.


Thanks for the info Will, I double check the reading on the second key I have.


Frank

I bought keys on ebay from beach bum keys or something like that, id recommended him if he still has bonne keys

Frank...

Stopped into a local place today. And what do I see by a picture of a GM vats key on the window saying they cut them. They have the checker and most of the keys in stock.. $35

If you bring your own key..they'll cut it for almost nothing..

I'm not sure if I understand this. If you have them supply the key and they cut it, it'* $35.00 for each key? And if you supply the key, it'* next to nothing?

Do you have two keys & are you getting the same reading from both keys?
If you look under the dash you should see two wires in a plastic sleeve coming from the steering column. These are the wires that allow the vats module to read the resistance of the key pellet. I believe you can unplug a connector & connect your multimeter to the wires coming from the column. Insert the key & see if you get the same reading as the key. Test while turning the key to run & start.