Lost key/towing 2001 oldsmobile

[Nandy]

I have relatives staying with me and they drop at the ramp their only key to their 2001 aurora oldsmobile. The dealer ordered that key which should be here tomorrow. They will cut it and give it to us in order to get the steering column unlock so we can tow the vehicle to the dealer for them to program the code in the key chip.
Can I just pull the car with a tow belt without hurting it? The dealer is less than 10 miles from the house. I have done that with plenty of old vehicles before but this vehicle I just don't know if it could hurt it. Anyone has experience doing this or knows enough about the vehicle to tell me? I'm the one taking care of the bill until they can pay me so I want to keep it as small as possible. If not possible, can u use a dolly from uhaul?
Thanks!

 

[lowkee]

Re: Lost key/towing 2001 oldsmobile

I don't think tow straps are legal anymore. Renting as tow dolly from uhaul only costs ~$15 if I recall correctly. They are much safer and will haul just about anything.

Just make sure the driving wheels are the ones on the dolly, as an automatic trans can cook if towed even a few miles. If you absolutely must tow with the drive wheels spinning on an auto, keep it under 25mph. Just don't blame me if a trans is needed after the key is made

Keep in mind, without the engine running, the towed car will have NO BRAKES because of the power brakes, so a tow rope system will lead to a collision 30 feet out of your driveway.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Lost key/towing 2001 oldsmobile

No. You will not be able to get the trans into neutral. A uhaul dolly will still require the car to roll the wheels up.

Now with a "non-starting key" yes you should be able to get neutral.

The dealer should be able to give you a key code and a GOOD locksmith should be able to program it. It may be cheaper.

One other thought...... is there a spare key at home that someone has access to? Get it Fed-ex'd to you.....overnight.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Lost key/towing 2001 oldsmobile

Just a wild guess..... but try the key they gave you. It's a longshot but some were not chipped.

ALL Keys Lost (Domestic)

If the customer has lost all the keys that the VTD module has learned, the PASS-Key? III module can be reprogrammed to learn 10 new keys. This procedure will take 30 minutes to complete.

1.Cut the new key with the mechanical key code for the vehicle.
2.Insert the new key in the ignition and turn the ignition ON.
3.The PASS KEY telltale will flash at 1 Hz.
4.Leave the key ON in this state for 10 minutes.
5.After 10 minutes, turn the key OFF and then back ON within 10 seconds.
6.Repeat steps 4 and 5, for a total of 3 ignition key cycles.
7.After the third ignition key cycle 10 minute time period has elapsed the PASS KEY telltale stops flashing and the new key has been learned.


I still think a good locksmith will have the scan tool and get it done cheaper in the longrun

 

[Nandy]

Re: Lost key/towing 2001 Oldsmobile

Re: Lost key/towing 2001 Oldsmobile

Thanks for the reply Lowkee. For the combination of towed/tow vehicles they recommend the car trailer where the entire car is in the trailer. That is $60 + tax. Add to that the fact that the car needs to climb into the trailer which will be hard when the motor is not running. The dolly that you are talking about is $40 + tax. I think I could just jack the car into place in that one, but is not recommended for the tow/towed vehicle combination and would not show it as an option while online so they might not rent it to me at the store, unless I lie about the vehicle Im towing...
I have tow quite a few vehicles before, including my own Blazer and the brakes work, you just dont have the booster so I have to agree that towing should be at slow speeds. The faster we ever went with my blazer was 35mph to get some wind to climb a hill. You bring a good point about the transmission.. Wouldn't the transmission not be engaged when you have the vehicle in neutral? I always thought so, but I could be wrong.

Bob, they didt have the key in stock. The key will arrive tomorrow and they will cut it so I can use it to unlock the steering wheel. It is $60 + for the key which we already pay for. The service manager told us that programing it should be around $40 but if it dont take them much to do it they will do it no charge.
The parts guy also told me about the method you described. He told me it was up to me. However, if the method dont work then it will be more complicated to get the new key programed. But he told me the process. At this time, I rather take the chance with the service guy.
She got this car from a dealership and they only gave her one key. She not knowing better did not asked the dealer to include the other key as part of the deal. Same thing happened to me, they sold me the 4runner with only the glove compartment key and the master key. I had 3 day to return the vehicle so I told them that if they did not cut me one master key the deal was off. They oblige with a smile on their face... We did call her dealership, but the only key they have is to open the door and has no chip in it.

I appreciate both of you guys advise.

Thanks!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Lost key/towing 2001 Oldsmobile

Re: Lost key/towing 2001 Oldsmobile

Cutting a key is simple ...... it's the dam chip!

It takes about 3 minutes to do the programming.

Good luck.

 

[i386]

Re: Lost key/towing 2001 oldsmobile

Good luck. I hate being in that situation!

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Lost key/towing 2001 oldsmobile

How many of y'all walking around the boat or the dock with keys not in your pants pocket? Not me! If no pocket available, I slide one of my finger thru the ring and keep my fist clench. Boat ignition key stays in the ignition and storage locker keys stay on floating key ring thing.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Lost key/towing 2001 oldsmobile

We got the key, hauled the car in, and 20 min later the chip was programed and the car was drove home in its own power... Thanks to everyone!

How many of y'all walking around the boat or the dock with keys not in your pants pocket? Not me! If no pocket available, I slide one of my finger thru the ring and keep my fist clench. Boat ignition key stays in the ignition and storage locker keys stay on floating key ring thing.

The key was actually in the pocket, long story that I thought was not relevant...

 

[aspeck]

Re: Lost key/towing 2001 oldsmobile

Did you get the key? Did they get it cut and how did you get the car to the dealership?

Never mind, you answered already! :redface:

Programming is simple IF you have the instructions and know what you are doing. We have a good locksmith here, but his instructions were not good (I know because I read over them) and he could not program the keys he cut for my Mom's 2004 GP. So I went to the dealership and they could not program the keys either. But their instructions were good and I did it in about 10 minutes (3 sets of keys). Oh, and I didn't have to pay for the programming since I taught them how to do it!

 

[Nandy]

Re: Lost key/towing 2001 oldsmobile

We ordered the key yesterday. It arrived this morning and we headed in my truck to the dealership. There they cut the key but needed the car in order to program it. So we head back with the freshly cut key, unlocked the steering wheel with the key, put it in neutral and I towed the car with a strap for 8 miles. Once they got the vehicle at the dealership I left to run my errands and 30 some minutes I called the dealership and was told that all went well, the kids are in the way home and there is no charge for the programing. I paid $68 for the key and $15 for the key code to cut the keys. I told them to get 4 or 5 keys cut at walmart, then remove the plastic covers in the steering column, take that key they just got from the dealer and tape it as close as they can to the ignition switch. With that key in place close the plastic cover and they should be able to use any regular key to start the vehicle. Then if they get the money for a second key they can remove that key from there. In my runner I had a non working key programed hidden in the truck. If I ever lost my key I could use the regular key I had in my wallet of that I had given to my girlfriend together with the programed one to start the vehicle. I hope they follow my advise.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Lost key/towing 2001 oldsmobile

LOL, do we have our wires crossed or what!!!! lol!!!!!