This is how I did it for my '06 Cobalt LS. I think +'06 cars have a chip in the key, and 2005 might not work the same way, not sure.

1) Check that your key has a (+) sign engraved in the metal. If it does, this will work for you.

2) Buy a key with chip on eBay, I'll leave the link of the one I got, I wanted the Chevy sign on it but if you want to go cheaper you can get it without chevy logo for like 6$ shipped.

New Chevy Buick Cadillac GM Circle Plus Transponder Chip Key for Ignition | eBay

3) Once you get the key, go to your local Home Depot to the hardware / key cutting cabin and bring your original car key, and your blank car key (the one you got on eBay). In my case, the guy said since I "brought the blank" that I was good and didn't charge me a cent.

4) On your way to the car, try to open the door with the blank key that you just cut in Home Depot, if it opens the car, it was well cut. (My key was pretty worn out so the new key had sharper edges but it still works perfect)

Programming Instructions (takes 15 seconds)

*Optional: I tried to turn the car on with the unprogrammed-new key to see if my car has protection against unprogrammed keys. It didn't turn on

5) Insert your ORIGINAL car key in the ignition and turn your engine on. Leave it on for like 3-5 seconds.

6) Have the NEW unprogrammed key ready in another hand. Turn off the car and pull out the ORIGINAL key off the ignition, IMMEDIATELY after this (in a range of 3 seconds) put in the NEW unprogrammed key and turn your engine on as quickly as possible.

7) It should start just like the original key, it should be programmed now.

8) Leave it on for 5-10 seconds. Turn off the car, and try to turn it on again.

Enjoy your new spare key, and all for just 9$! I don't know how much a dealer charges but for those who need a key for cheap this should help you.

Here I put pics of my before / after key.

BEFORE


AFTER

 

can anyone tell me if this really works? need a new key, mine is worn bad

thanks

Dave

 

Yup. Did it the same exact way about 3 weeks ago. Some places say you have to let it sit for so many seconds and blah blah blah, but it should just literally fire up once you put in the new key.

 

Sub

 

ok, ordering my keys today. I will report my results.

Dave

 

Awesome if so, I just bought my ss and only have one key, thanks

 

Mine has a + so i will be doing this. Thanks!

 

Yes, make sure you order a Transponder with the + symbol. If I remember right, 05 was the only year Cobalts came without them.

 

I kept my oem spare and didnt use it, in case I needed a fresh one to copy. Since like you said, they get worn down over time.
I also kept the code that came with the set of keys in case I needed one cut without an original.

 

Good to know

 

I got three spares and it cost only about $30 total with me paying to have all of them cut. I had instructions sent with the key I bought to program it, not I use those three and keep my OEM key unused.

 

Keys can be cut using only your VIN number as well, at least from a dealer. Now, if you have little to no proof of owning the car (like if everything is locked in the car), that can be another issue if you're trying to get one made. But not all is lost if you don't have that code. I didn't even know there *was* a code that can be used.

 

ok, got my 2 keys for 10 bucks shipped.
got them cut, was told no charge but the girl was cute so i tipped her 10 bucks.

this thread is 100% win. followed the instructions and they both work.

i now have 3 keys that will start my car.

Dave

 

Man, I gotta do this. have a extra key, zipped to the bottom of my car or bumpers, so I can have a extra key just in case I lose my main one.

 

And your address is?

 

Full insurance. you think I care, time for a corvette haha. It would be located were its hard to see.

 

your car is already a salvage title you wont get much

 

Haha no worries. I'm too far across the country

 

I put the value at 13k ! due to low miles, and if something happens to it, they have to pay me that much. im paying just over $200 dollars a month for it . it blows.

 

If THEY don't value it that high, they WON'T pay that much. It's salvage, I'm honestly surprised they let you put full coverage on it.

Sent from my Nokia 3100 using CobaltSS

 

It depends on how much was paid out on it when it was totaled.

most insurance companies will not put full coverage on a rebuilt or salvage title.

if they do, they only give you 40-50% of blue book for it.

that is why mine booked for 14.5k and I got it for 6200.

Dave

 

My insurance company did a inspection on it, and cleared it as ''fixed correctly''.

 

40-50% is not true. You got ripped off! For example, One of my uncles had a 05 srt4 and was insured with Country companies . back in 2007. Car was salvage. He got 13k for it, when keley was 16k. Which he didn't mind cause he finished the car for 12k ( remember this is back in 07) A salvage car is worth 70-80% of a clean title, IF FIXED CORRECTLY . And if they try telling me that, im gonna tell them replace my car then, with a cobalt ss supercharged, that's silver, has blue and black interior, and under 5k miles. Goodluck with that. im with the same company as my parents and its a really good company.

 

My buddy has an R-Title '85 RX7 that, for the longest time, his insurance let him have full coverage on. He wrecked it, and they tried to give him $500. When he questioned why they let him put full coverage on a car that they only valued for the same amount as his deductible, they had no responce. After throwing a hissy, he was reimbursed like 2 full years of insurance, and now just has liability haha

 

oh haha ! My title use to say salvage, but its truly a Rebuilt title know. We never had a problem collecting insurance money , and almost all of our cars are salvage ( past/present ) . Surprised so many people had problems with salvage and insurance . Ive heard about the bank's not liking salvage for loans, but not insurance lol