Car key replacement
Replacement keys for the Montana minivan, including chip keys when supported.
Low Rate Locksmith provides Pontiac Montana, a minivan, key replacement across the USA and Canada. We help with lost keys, spare keys, remote/fob problems, and ignition-related key issues, with authorization checks and on-vehicle testing before closeout.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | Industry-typical ranges: Remote work is often dealer $50-$150 vs mobile locksmith $40-$120; transponder key work is often dealer $120-$250 (spare) or $180-$350 (all keys lost) vs mobile locksmith $80-$180 (spare) or $120-$250 (all keys lost). Exact price is confirmed at dispatch based on year, key type, parts, and programming needs. |
| Programming required? | Often yes. Many Montana minivan keys are transponder (chip) keys that must be enrolled to the vehicle; remotes may also need pairing. The exact method depends on the year/system and is confirmed for your vehicle. |
| All keys lost? | Usually yes, after your ID and proof of ownership are confirmed. For chip-key systems, we cut a new key and complete the immobilizer enrollment when supported. |
| Online fob accepted? | Sometimes. Aftermarket or used remotes can be locked, incompatible, or unprogrammable, so we confirm compatibility (including FCC ID when available) before we try to pair it. |
| What to prepare | Vehicle year, your government-issued ID, proof of ownership (registration/title/insurance), your exact location, and whether you have a working key or remote. |
Replacement keys for the Montana minivan, including chip keys when supported.
Transponder enrollment and remote pairing based on the vehicle’s system.
Help with worn buttons, battery/board issues, or re-pairing when applicable.
Diagnosis when the key won’t turn or the cylinder is worn.
Non-destructive entry options for many Montana minivan lockouts.
Make-level help if you’re comparing key types across Pontiac models.
Pontiac is a discontinued GM brand, and many Montana minivan key systems follow common GM patterns from the late 1990s through the late 2000s. Depending on year and trim, you may be dealing with (1) a metal key that only needs cutting, (2) a transponder (chip) key that must be enrolled to the vehicle’s immobilizer, and/or (3) a separate remote for door functions. Canada-market and USA-market builds can differ, so we confirm the exact system before cutting or programming.
Wear here can cause sticking, no-turn conditions, or inconsistent starting.
Mechanical lock wafers can wear; a cut key still has to match the lock correctly.
Minivan sliding doors add linkages and latches that can affect lock/unlock behavior.
Chip keys must be recognized by the immobilizer before the engine will start.
Remote and in-door switches depend on power, actuators, and correct pairing.
Battery, button pads, and board issues are common reasons a remote stops working.
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Pontiac/GM dealership | OEM parts availability and dealer records | Towing, appointments, higher total cost |
| Mobile locksmith | Lost keys, spare keys, no-tow situations | Requires ID, ownership proof, compatible parts |
| Online fob | Possible savings when the exact part is known | Used/refurbished fobs may be locked or incompatible |
| DIY programming | Add-a-key situations on some older systems | Not suitable for all-keys-lost or every chip-key system |
Some aftermarket remotes and chip keys work fine, but others won’t enroll or won’t control all doors. For a Montana minivan, matching the FCC ID and the correct key blank profile matters as much as the button layout.
If the key works in the ignition but is inconsistent on the sliding door, the issue may be door-lock wear rather than the cut. We can inspect function door-by-door before deciding whether the fix is key cutting, rekeying, or hardware repair.
Key systems can vary by year, trim, and market (including differences between the USA and Canada). The table below reflects common patterns and known identifiers, then we confirm what your vehicle actually uses before any cutting or programming.
| Years (context) | Key system (typical) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1997-1998 (early production) | Traditional metal key + optional remote | Some early builds may use a non-chip key. If you have a separate remote, it may be pairable depending on the receiver/module. |
| 1999-2005 (mid-life) | Transponder key (chip) + remote keyless entry (separate fob on many setups) | Commonly reported: GM PK3 immobilizer with ID13 chip on the key. Known identifiers seen in the field include FCC ID B97 (transponder key) and FCC ID L2C0007T (remote), confirmed for your vehicle before programming. |
| 2005-2009 (late production) | Transponder key (chip) + remote keyless entry | Commonly reported: GM PK3 + ID13 (transponder). Known identifiers seen in the field include FCC ID B99 (transponder key) and FCC ID KOBGT04A (remote), confirmed for your vehicle before programming. |
| 2007-2009 (if equipped) | Smart key system / push-to-start | Some late-year trims/markets can differ. If the Montana minivan uses proximity/push-to-start hardware, programming requirements, parts, and on-vehicle testing change significantly versus a standard chip key. |
Montana minivan pricing mainly depends on whether you need a simple remote, a transponder (chip) key that must be enrolled, or an all-keys-lost job where we have to originate a working key from scratch. Availability of compatible parts (OEM vs aftermarket), plus the vehicle’s condition (battery voltage, ignition wear), can also change the final total.
Industry-typical pricing (not a quote): Remote work is often dealer $50-$150 vs mobile locksmith $40-$120. Transponder key work is often dealer $120-$250 for a spare or $180-$350 for all keys lost, while mobile locksmith work is often $80-$180 for a spare or $120-$250 for all keys lost. Canadian customers pay the equivalent in CAD, and exact totals vary by province, parts, and dispatch availability.
| Factor | Cost impact |
|---|---|
| Spare key with one working key | Usually lower because the vehicle can be confirmed and tested with an existing key. |
| All keys lost | Usually higher due to origination, enrollment steps, and added verification/testing. |
| Smart key / push-to-start (if equipped) | Usually higher due to part cost and more involved programming and verification. |
| Customer-supplied fob | Depends on compatibility, condition (new vs used), and whether it can be paired to the vehicle. |
| Emergency timing or remote location | May affect the service call portion in the USA and in Canada depending on distance and timing. |
| Vehicle-side issue (battery, ignition) | May require diagnosis first if the vehicle can’t accept programming or won’t mechanically turn/start. |
Final pricing is confirmed after the vehicle year, key type, location, authorization, and compatibility are reviewed.
For chip-key Montana minivan systems (often GM PK3), we verify ownership, identify the correct key type, then cut and enroll a working key when supported.
This can point to transponder recognition, a worn key, or an ignition/starting issue; we separate mechanical vs electronic causes before replacing parts.
Remote buttons can work while the immobilizer still blocks starting; we confirm whether you need a programmed transponder key rather than a remote-only fix.
If your Montana minivan is equipped with proximity, we check the fob battery, vehicle 12V power, and whether the fob is the correct type before programming attempts.
We can help confirm whether an online key/fob is the correct FCC ID and format before you spend time on pairing or cut work.
On proximity-equipped setups, this can be fob battery, vehicle battery/voltage, an incompatible fob, or a start-system issue; we test step-by-step before concluding it’s a programming failure.
If ID and proof of ownership/authorization can’t be provided, we don’t cut keys, program fobs, or unlock the vehicle.
We confirm identity and ownership/authorization and review the job scope before beginning work.
We identify the correct key/fob type and confirm the part details (including FCC ID when relevant) before cutting or pairing.
We cut the key to match the locks when applicable, then complete any needed enrollment to the GM PK3 immobilizer system using the correct programming approach for the vehicle.
We test lock/unlock and starting (when applicable) and document what was supplied and what functions were verified.
| Stage | Deliverable | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle ID | Confirmed vehicle details and observed key/remote type | On-site checklist |
| Authorization | ID and ownership/authorization verification recorded | Dispatch/work order notes |
| Cutting | Cut key (when applicable) matched to locks/ignition | Physical key |
| Programming | Transponder/remote enrollment completed when required | On-vehicle programming record |
| Verification | Functional tests (lock/unlock/start as applicable) | Test checklist |
| Closeout | Final scope and pricing confirmation prior to completion | Invoice/work order |
We confirm whether you need a remote, a transponder key, or both, and what functions will be tested on the Montana minivan.
ID and proof of ownership/authorization come first, in the USA and in Canada.
We check part fitment and identifiers (like FCC ID when applicable) before pairing or cutting.
We test the functions that match your service (door locks, ignition start, remote buttons).
When supported, we cut and program on-site so you can avoid towing to a shop.
Minivan lock hardware, including sliding door mechanisms, can add failure points we account for during diagnosis.
Where compatible, we can work with OEM-equivalent and some customer-supplied parts after verification.
You receive an invoice/work order describing what was provided and what was tested.
Support is dispatched across U.S. states and Canadian provinces where service is available.
If you still have one working key, adding a spare is typically less complex than an all-keys-lost job.
Parts and programming differ sharply between turn-key chip systems and proximity/push-to-start setups.
Choosing a remote or key without matching identifiers can lead to paid programming attempts that can’t succeed.
Make sure the Montana minivan is in a safe, reachable spot where doors can open and tools can be set up.
Low 12V voltage can interrupt programming and cause false “no start” symptoms. If the battery is weak, address that first.
If you’re not stranded, scheduling can reduce dispatch complexity, especially across large service areas in both the USA and Canada.
Share your year + situation and we'll confirm compatibility and a typical price range. Or call the dispatch number directly.
Other Pontiac models and services from Low Rate Locksmith: