VATS keys

I've found a reasonable source for blank keys but don't know how to decode which blank to order.
It is for a 2001 model with the resistor which reads 886 ohms.
This is the link for the blanks:
http://www.clksupplies.com/shop/index.php?cPath=24_26_67&osCsid=15bf4a9deae235bd020be202ac86710c

your key has a resistor in the chip? I thought all 97-up GP's came with PK3 Keys. (transponder type)

your key has a resistor in the chip? I thought all 97-up GP's came with PK3 Keys. (transponder type)

Sorry about that. Actually was for my mother's Century. I found the decoder chart here:

http://www.keybitslockandkey.com/losangeleslocksmith/vatsInstruction.htm

Buick decided not to use the Passkey 3 VATS system like Pontiac. Regardless it beats Passlock. I think Pontiac started using PK3 starting in the 1999 an up model years. Technically, '97-'98 was neither PK2 or PK3.

Looks pretty self explanatory to me. All they need is the approximate resistance value of the resistor pellet on the PK2 key. See link below.

Click here (http://www.carlocksandkeys.com/servlet/the-1153/Buick-Century-Car-Automobile/Detail)

Plus even if the value is off versus your current key and you get a SECURITY light all you need to do is a key relearn in which the BCM will store the new resistance value of the new PK2 key and the lock cylinder. Key to ON for at least 10 minutes and off for up to 30 minutes.

Bob, you dont like the PK3 system?

I'll admit the PK2 Vats system was easier to diagnose and bypass, but wasn't there a lot of ignition cylinder/key connection problems as compared to the pk3 system? Just curious......

I never said I didn't like PK3 but I have no GM cars with it. The original Passkey 1 had the issues not the PK2 which IMO is pretty reliable. The big VATS issue was the Passlock VATS found on the Grand Am, Alero, and Impala plus some older model GM cars. All I ever had to do is clean the key and resistor pellet with alcohol. Plus PK2 is cheaper to fix or bypass versus PK3 when you get issues with it. Plus replacement keys are cheaper too versus PK3 since the PK3 key has a transponder.

Good points!

Just for anyone who needs to buy PK3 keys for their GP. This site offers Genuine GM transponder keys for 9.99. I purchased a couple from here about a year ago. At that time, they included programming instructions for free. Now it appears they ar charging for them. I then took my transponder key blanks to the GM dealer who cut them for free and programmed them myslef.

http://www.streetkeys.com/order/products.asp?year=2000&make=Pontiac&model=Grand+Prix