Strattec Mechanical Key Blank (B102) – GM Key Replacement Guide

By Mohammad H. Abdelhadi, ALOA-Certified Master Locksmith, mobile automotive locksmith. Reviewed by Ray Obar, Master Locksmith. Updated June 1, 2026.

Used across a wide range of General Motors trucks, SUVs, and passenger cars from the mid-1990s through the late 2000s, the Strattec Mechanical Key Blank (B102) serves as the uncut blade platform for door and ignition lock cylinders on these vehicles. Each Strattec Mechanical Key Blank (B102) is manufactured to match the B102 keyway profile — a double-sided, edge-cut design that has been a GM standard for over a decade of production years. Because this key blank is a purely mechanical product with no electronic components, it requires only precision cutting to the vehicle’s bitting code to function. A properly cut Strattec Mechanical Key Blank (B102) will turn the ignition wafers and door locks without any programming step, making it one of the most straightforward automotive key replacements available.

B102 Keyway Profile and Specifications

The B102 keyway is a legacy General Motors profile that Strattec Security Corporation has produced for OEM and aftermarket channels. It is a standard double-sided, edge-cut blade — meaning the cuts run along the flat edge of the key rather than on the face, and the blank can be inserted into the lock in either orientation. This design uses a series of depth cuts at specific spacing intervals that correspond to the pin or wafer positions inside GM lock cylinders of the era.

Because the blank carries no transponder chip, no RFID antenna, and no electronic circuitry of any kind, it does not interact with a vehicle immobilizer system. Vehicles that use this keyway from the factory without a transponder requirement will start with nothing more than a correctly cut copy. Locksmiths should verify whether a specific vehicle year and trim level introduced a transponder requirement mid-generation before cutting the blank, as some GM platforms transitioned to VATS or PK3 transponder systems during overlapping model years.

Strattec Mechanical Key Blank (B102) Vehicle Fitments

The following validated fitments represent the vehicles compatible with this key blank and the B102 keyway. These span multiple GM divisions and body styles:

• Cadillac Escalade — 1999–2000
• Chevrolet Astro — 1995–2005
• Chevrolet Avalanche — 2002–2006
• Chevrolet Blazer — 1995–2005
• Chevrolet Express — 1996–2002
• Chevrolet Impala — 2000–2005
• Chevrolet Malibu — 1997–2003
• Chevrolet Monte Carlo — 2000–2007
• Chevrolet S-10 — 1994–2004
• Chevrolet Silverado — 1999–2007
• Chevrolet Suburban — 2000–2006
• Chevrolet Tahoe — 2000–2006
• Chevrolet Trailblazer — 2001–2009

This list covers full-size trucks, mid-size pickups, vans, SUVs, and sedans — a testament to how widely GM deployed the B102 keyway across its lineup during this period. The blank is the same physical part regardless of the vehicle; what differs is the bitting code cut into it.

Cutting and Duplication Considerations

For automotive locksmiths, the B102 blank is one of the highest-volume GM key profiles still in regular service. Cutting can be performed on any standard edge-cut key machine using the appropriate GM spacing and depth specifications. The blank accepts cuts cleanly due to the nickel-silver alloy composition typical of Strattec products, which also provides reasonable resistance to wear over the life of the key.

When duplicating from an existing key, standard tracing on a mechanical duplicator works well. When originating from code — for instance, when the owner has no working key and the lock must be decoded or the code pulled from the VIN — locksmiths should use published GM code series charts to derive the correct bitting. Many code-cutting machines have the B102 card or digital profile already loaded.

One practical note: the B102 profile is visually similar to several other GM keyways (such as B106 and B111), and mixing up blanks is a common shop-floor mistake. The B102 is distinguished by its specific blade width and the position of its milling groove. Confirming the correct blank before cutting avoids wasted material and frustrated customers.

When Vehicle Owners Should Consider This Key Blank

Owners of the GM vehicles listed above may need the blank for several practical reasons. A spare key for a work truck or fleet van is a low-cost insurance policy against lockouts. The Chevrolet Express and Astro, for example, are frequently used as commercial vehicles where downtime from a lost key translates directly to lost revenue. Having a spare cut and stored in a secure location is a common fleet management practice.

For older vehicles like the 1995–2005 Chevrolet Blazer or the 1994–2004 S-10, replacement keys may no longer be available through dealership parts counters. The aftermarket supply of B102-profile blanks from Strattec ensures these vehicles remain serviceable. A visit to a local locksmith equipped with a code-cutting machine is typically faster and less expensive than a dealer visit — and in many cases, the dealer will simply order the same Strattec blank and cut it in-house.

Owners should be aware that if their specific vehicle and model year uses a transponder-equipped ignition system, a mechanical-only blank will turn the lock cylinder but will not start the engine. The immobilizer will prevent fuel delivery or spark. In those cases, a transponder key or a VATS key with the correct resistor pellet is required. A qualified locksmith can quickly determine which type of key a given vehicle needs by reading the lock cylinder or checking the VIN against manufacturer records.

OEM vs. Aftermarket Quality

Strattec Security Corporation is the original equipment manufacturer for GM ignition and door lock assemblies, which means the B102 blank produced under the Strattec name is, in many cases, identical to what shipped with the vehicle from the factory. This is a meaningful distinction in the key blank market, where low-cost offshore blanks sometimes exhibit dimensional inconsistencies that cause binding or premature wear inside the lock cylinder.

For high-use applications — fleet vehicles, daily drivers, or any key that will see thousands of insertion cycles — using the genuine Strattec product is a practical investment. The blank’s metallurgy and dimensional tolerances are held to OEM specifications, reducing the risk of a key that works initially but wears poorly over time.

That said, the B102 profile is also produced by numerous aftermarket blank manufacturers. For a secondary spare stored in a glovebox or toolbox, a quality aftermarket blank may be perfectly adequate. Locksmiths can advise customers on the trade-offs based on the intended use of the key.

Related help: Buick auto locksmith, Cadillac auto locksmith, Chevrolet auto locksmith, GMC auto locksmith, car key replacement, car key programming.

Compatible and related keys: Lear 4-Button Remote Key Fob (FCC ID KOBLEAR1XT), Bosma Remote Key Fob (FCC ID KOBUT1BT), related key: GM Mechanical Key Blank (GM39), Aftermarket Remote Key Fob (FCC ID AB01502T), Bosma Remote Key Fob (FCC ID OUC60270), related key: Strattec Transponder Key (chip ID46), compatible GM OEM 3-Button Remote Key Fob (FCC ID LHJ011), Continental Automotive 4-Button Remote Key Fob (FCC ID M3N32337100), compatible Bosma 4-Button Remote Key Fob (FCC ID KOBGT04A), compatible Strattec Smart Key Fob (FCC ID HYQ4EA).