Cadillac Repair/Ignition key

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Expert: - 9/18/2009


Question
I lost my igniton key to a 1997 Cadillac deville. I was told that with just my vin number I can get a code and bring it to alocksmith and he can cut me a key from this code. How do I get the code?


Answer
Hello,

GM tightened up on giving the codes out for security purposes after doing it for 15 plus years. If you show proof you own the car, the dealer can contact GM and GM will fax over the resistor (chip) value and the mechanical key cut codes. The dealer can cut you a key, but it will be double in cost as to what a locksmith will charge you. The keys and locks are all from the same place whether it is a dealer or a locksmith. GM did not make the keys and locks. They subbed it out to Strattec of Milwaukee.



Rob

Cadillac Repair

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Rob Painter

Expertise

Alarm system questions cannot be answered on this forum. These systems are not what I can answer. Without being physically at the vehicle and not knowing what kind of electrical service has been done on the vehicle, there is no possible way to give an accurate answer over the internet. My expertise is in Ignition/key based anti-theft systems. These issues include GM VATS (resistor chip in key blade) PASSLOCK (MRD)-ignition lock rotation based, no special ignition key and the PKIII Transponder (computer chip in key) systems. These systems are not alarm based and are integral with the starting of the engine. This is why I cannot diagnose alarm problems without physically looking at the vehicle: Alarm systems are a completely different annimal than ignition key/lock based anti-theft system. Many alarm questions come from vehicles 10 years old, and since older, many hands that had been involved over the years.I am an expert in all GM factory (ignition/key based)systems. Alarm system questions pose to many situations beyond my knowledge as to what has been done to the vehicle over the years. Some guy may have actually wired the stereo into the alarm system. Who knows? Over my past 30 years in vehicle wiring repair, I have seen unbelievable wiring disaters done by guys that consider themselves "mechanics." I have seen stereos and alarms intalled using surgical tape. I have seen modules burn up, un-fused circuits, wiring jambed between the doors and even lamp cord used for a starter kill. To answer alarm questions over the internet without examining the vehicle is like asking; What does it take to remove a dent?

Experience

Education/Credentials-ASE certified. 11 years with a GM dealer and 17 years with a repair facility dealing with only the repair of theft recovered vehicles.

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