New Vibe owner with key question

[2008vibeguy]

Hello fellow Vibe owners.I was very happy to find this forum and see how happy everyone if with their Vibes. You can put me on that list because I am in love with this solid little car. It's a 2008 1.8L 5 speed and it's a blast to drive. I got the windows tinted already down to 20% all around and it looks even better.My only problem is the original owner lost one of the original chipped keys. I would like another key but the dealership wants $50 for the key and $125 to program it! Is there any way I can program it myself?

[star_deceiver]

Welcome to GenVibe!!! I'd try a diffrent dealer, maybe call around to some and see if you get a variety of prices.

[jake75]

Seems to me there was a long discussion here as to whether the key is "chipped". Conclusion was it is not a chipped key, at least if you do not have the anti-theft option. Also, these remote keys are often available on eBay with instructions on how to program. You can buy a plain key (I got one at Home Depot for $2 or so) that works on my 2009.

[2008vibeguy]

Quote »Seems to me there was a long discussion here as to whether the key is "chipped". Conclusion was it is not a chipped key, at least if you do not have the anti-theft option.Yeah I read those threads to. After I ran the VIN I found that the car DOES have an anti0theft ignition and as such, requires chipped keys.I called a private key place and they'll do it for $80 key and programming, but I refuse to believe these can't be programmed by your average Joe.

[cythraul]

Quote, originally posted by 2008vibeguy »Yeah I read those threads to. After I ran the VIN I found that the car DOES have an anti-theft ignition and as such, requires chipped keys.Is that RPO code UA6?UA6THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM ANTI-THEFT(UA6)http://www.compnine.com/vid.ph...42097

[jake75]

Interesting that of the year 2009 57,088 production only 1,902 had the optional UA6 Theft deterrent system anti-theft. Only 1,730 [3%] were built without air conditioning.

[cythraul]

Did a quick google search and found this:http://www.ehow.com/how_541280....htmlWorth a try.

[2008vibeguy]

I show the code as BAEBAEEQUIPMENT SECURITY SYSTEM, IMMOBILIZATION SECURITY SYS(BAE)cythraul:Now I feel silly. I wasn't using the term 'transponder'. I'll give your link a try.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by 2008vibeguy »I show the code as BAEBAEEQUIPMENT SECURITY SYSTEM, IMMOBILIZATION SECURITY SYS(BAE)cythraul:Now I feel silly. I wasn't using the term 'transponder'. I'll give your link a try.So are you saying that the UA6 THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM ANTI-THEFT(UA6) does not include the "chipped" key feature?

[star_deceiver]

It's been standard for a few years now across Canada for new cars to be equipped with immobilizers...So yeah, you'll need a chipped key!