title: Is a Camaro Ignition Key In Danger of problems if in front jeans pocket & slept in?

8 months ago, I once had to get a new ignition lock replaced, it could have also been a problem with the Camaro code key the locksmith wasn't sure

8 months ago, thru no fault of my own I had my Camaro ignition, door lock, alarm thingy, and house key all in my front jeans pocket while I slept in my jeans on my bed moving around and stuff

Is this, is this bad for the Camaro key, will it ruin the codes and then I'd have to get the locksmith involved again to either replace the ignition lock so that the key woulnd't get stuck in it and / or give me an entirely new Camaro key with codes?

I am now currently forced into temporary survivalist mode on some type of seasonal job

this aforesaid condition right now in my life would involve me moving around up down sideways (you know directions that if your phone was in your front jeans pocket it would call someone on accident?)

I would during these movements have my Camaro key in my front jeans pocket

In other words, sorry, but to make this short and sweet: *Should a Camaro ignition key * Definitely and Under No Circumstances, not be in tight places upon moving often like for example a front jeans pocket or if it really has to be at that location, should be kept to a minimum like not every day, but every 2 - 3 days?

Thanks in advance for any constructive advice

 

If I'm understanding what your asking right, the mechanical function of the key operating the ignition switch shouldn't be a problem. The key has a resistor chip on it that is read by the BCM before the fuel and ignition systems are enabled to start the engine. There are contacts in the switch that read the chips resistive value and they can wear to a point where they no longer are able to do this function. If this happens, the ignition switch would have to be replaced or a resistor of the same value as the key chip be inserted into the wiring going to the BCM. As for the key fob, it requires deliberate actions to change it's program and it would only effect the door locks, alarm and rear hatch release.

 

thanks. i was given new codes 8 months ago, in case it 'd happen again by the locksmith: VATS and then 2 numbers I think. i saved these codes elsewhere in my computer. my question is will normal wear and placement of a key in a pocket like a front jeans pocket, and moving it around as such so that a cell phone would go off. that amount of movement. that would not cause a problem with the key, right? 8 months ago, i was wondering why this happened and tried to pinpoint having my key in a snug place or even sleeping with it. im not sleeping with it now in my front jeans pocket, but i am having it around me during the work day while my fully insured, operational, and registered 93 camaro is in an indoor garage. I would think after years of normal wear and tear of a key I'd have a problem, not having it in a front jeans pocket. I was given a new camaro key 8 months ago by this locksmith. it will probably take another 3 years for this problem to happen, not because for 1-2 weeks I had my camaro ignition key along with my other keys in my front jeans pocket. anyone else. thanks, again. *this is the prob. in a nutshell 8 months ago, i slept with the camaro ignition key in my jeans pocket, moved around....etc. on a bed...this may or may not have gave me the problem of the ignition key getting stuck in the ignition lock. i then had to get the whole ignition lock replaced by a locksmith; thereafter i was given new key codes and a new key. I just wanted to know was that a coincidence or a causation....and if having the ignition key in one's front pocket (a snug area) *while moving around* not recommended ? not advised at all? or like once in a while it's ok?

 

If the key got stuck in the switch, I would think it was because the tumblers of the switch were not allowing it to operate. Maybe a spring broke inside the lock cylinder. The key could wear over a period of time, but the "codes" cannot change once the key is cut. I would think the codes you were given indicate the cut of the key and the resistive value of the blank used. These would allow you to go to a locksmith and have the key reproduced without an existing key. It sounds as though the lock was changed because of internal damage and the key and codes were included as part of the new lock.

 

yes that is it...just wear and tear over several years and not sleeping with the ignition key along with other keys on a bed and moving over it. Ig key was stuck in Park with the car On... and it was scary had to wiggle it out after several attempts. it could have been in Park AND RUNNING ad infinitem. so that was 8 months ago. thanks. fascinating how the locksmith put a voltage meter to the whole ignition system. he charged mee 185 for an ignition lock replacement--but accidently popped out the hazard ****. anyway thanks again sooooo much ... i can rest easy working around with a Camaro ignition key all over climbing trees doing ReCon and it can be in my jean pocket without messing up the ignition key / ignition lock combo. i would strongly think having dusty pockets or cookie crumbs inside the same pocket where a Camaro ignition key is, --- is a bad bad idea. down the groove of the key must be some magical thing that needs to be free and clear of any debris. thanks dude.

 

the resistors in the key have been known to fail. wonder if the connectors in the key hole is what is going on with mine. security light has been on for a while now. lol, sounds like your lock cylinder ***** out.

 

Take apart the connector at the base of the steering column and measure the resistance with the key in the switch. Should be close to ohms reading of the chip in the key.

 

The security light will stay on solid if the resistance is lost while the car is running. This happened in my car because the wires were sheared thanks to the tilt steering column sometime before I bought the car. You can reset this by leaving the key in the run position without the car running for something like 30 seconds or 3 minutes, you don't want to do that until you figure out where your broken wire or bad connection is haha.

You can measure the resistance of the key with any ohm meter (most multimeters), and then either convert that resistance to the code GM uses (which is just a number from one to 15) or replace it with a resistor.

My wires sheared going into the cylinder and couldn't be reconnected properly, so I joined the two wires with a resistor. As long as the resistance is withing 5 or 10% of the resistance of the key it will always think the chip is there.

 

I found a cheap locksmith here in Tallahassee, got 2 new keys with my VATS code through them made for I think... $40. They both work fine, and I can see how worn down my only original key is.

Now I've got a new set of super-secret hidden keys underneath the car somewhere, a new set of ignition and door keys for my carrying, and an emergency set locked up at home along with my truck's emergency set.

Also got a new wireless FOB for $25 on Amazon, the thing works very well. The IC chip inside is not even close to the factory one, nor is the PCB. But, there's also only enough pinouts on the new chip to run to each button and the transmitter crystal, where the factory IC chip has... I think somewhere on the side of 42-46 pin outs, which is just absolutely expensive and over-kill, where those functions won't be used.

 

What do u do w/ the silver copy keys--give them to another locksmith if it happens again?

the locksmith who changed my ignition lock was not all there, neither was i that day, so i forgot to ask him,

he gave me a VATS code and 2 sets of silver keys

i forgot to ask him about that

*maybe it was since he on accident took off my hazzard button which i found on my floor mat later that day and was in mild agitation? after charging me 185 bucks to replace an ignition lock??? probably lol

that's given to another locksmith if this crap happens again?

im thinkin that pair of silver keys is what i have to give for another locksmith should this prob happen again