No you don't have to pay $100!!!
Talk to a Lock Smith. Home Depot can only copy the Key itself. But for that year you need a Transponder Key. Any Lock Smith should be able to duplicate for you. My Local hardware Store sells Blanks with Transistors/Resistors Built In. Check your owners manual the Programming process should be covered in there. I think for your year it's a PassKeyIII
There are 4 G.M. anti-theft systems:
1. VATS - Vehicle Anti-Theft System has resistor pellets in the key
that are read by the computer. There are 15 different pellets
although #1 is not used anymore.
2. Passlock 1 - A magnet in the cylinder needs to pass by a sensor on
the case assembly when the plug is rotated to start the vehicle.
There are 10 different electromagnetic values and when you buy a new
lock it is random regarding which value you will get. There is a 1 in
10 chance that it will start the car without being programmed. It
only takes 10 minutes to program one.
3. Passkey 3 - This is the G.M. transponder system that uses a
transponder in the head of the key. An antenna around the ignition
lock sends a signal to it and if the correct signal is not sent back
the car will not run.
4. MATS - Mechanical Anti-Theft System uses an armored ring to guard
the lock plate and has a stronger sidebar in the ignition lock.
GM's PassKey3 Transponder keys are identified by (PK3) stamped on the blade of the key blanks.
This system is the "Field Programmable" type. No special equipment is needed to add or originate keys. Just make a key by duplicating, code or fitting and program the key by following the instructions in the owners manual or below....
Programming takes about 45 minutes, You will need a Get a PK3 Blank Cut for Your car using your current Key. Do this with a Stop watch or a Watch.. .
1. Insert the un-programmed properly cut PASSkey III key blank into the
ignition. Turn from the "OFF" to the "ON" position. The security light
will illuminate for approx. 10 minutes.
2. When the security light goes out, immediately turn from "ON" to
"OFF", and remove the key.
3. Within 5 seconds insert the same key, and turn from "OFF" to "ON".
The security light wil illuminate for approx. 10 minutes.
4. When the security light goes out, immediately turn from "ON" to
"OFF", and remove key.
5. Within 5 seconds insert the same key, and turn from "OFF" to "ON".
The security light wil illuminate for approx. 10 minutes.
6 When the security light goes out, immediately turn from "ON" to
"OFF", and remove the key.
7 Insert the same key for the fourth time and turn to the "ON"
position. At this time the security light will remain off indicating
successful reprogramming of the system.
Additional keys can be introduced by cycling the preprogrammed key
aforementioned with the new unprogrammed . Old one , then new one and it
is done!
The timer is EXACTLY 10 minutes for each cycle, Let's say you wait 10 minutes and you cycle the ignition a little slow on the get go and it took 14 seconds, you must abort and
start over from step 1. This was
incorporated as a precaution to prevent unauthorized programming with a idle window. A person COULD leave and serriptiously keep the program window open unattended. Believe me, YOU HAVE 5 SECONDS AND NOT A SECOND MORE. It is wise to time make sure that you don't blink too long about the time the security light goes off on the dash. That is how GM made things. The same line of logic was made into the valet key. If your last key is the PK III valet key, to make further keys require the "Reprogramming " and not "additional" key mode. The valet key cannot open the programming window.
BTW: I am not a lock smith.....
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