Question 1

How long does the Chevrolet dealer take for a 2017 Traverse key replacement?

Accepted Answer

Longer than the actual work justifies. The programming itself wraps up in under an hour once the vehicle is in the bay, but getting to that point is where time disappears. If the dealer doesn't have the right key blank in stock, you're waiting on a parts order. Then you're waiting for a service appointment. Then you're waiting in the queue that day.

Owners on forums have reported going days or even a couple of weeks after buying a used Traverse before getting a second key cut, just from parts and scheduling delays stacking up. I come to your vehicle in North Broadway or wherever it is, do the job on site, and you're driving in about 30 to 45 minutes depending on the situation.

Question 2

What exactly is a transponder key and why does the 2017 Traverse need one?

Accepted Answer

A transponder key has a small chip embedded in the plastic head. When you insert it and turn the ignition, the vehicle's immobilizer reads the chip. If it doesn't recognize a valid signal, the engine either won't crank or it starts and immediately shuts off. That second scenario trips people up because the key turns fine and the engine fires, then dies within a second or two. That's the immobilizer doing its job.

The 2017 Traverse requires that the transponder chip in any replacement key be programmed to that specific vehicle. A correctly cut blade that fits the ignition cylinder perfectly will still not start the car if the chip isn't registered. Cutting and programming are two separate steps, and both have to be done right.

Question 3

Why does key programming at a GM dealer take so long compared to a mobile locksmith?

Accepted Answer

A few things stack up. The vehicle has to be physically present in the service bay. GM's security relearn procedures have built-in timed cycles that can't be skipped. Then there's the shop's own scheduling layer on top of that.

I carry what I need and come to the car. No appointment queue, no parts wait, no bay availability issue. Same procedure, done where the car already is.

Question 4

My 2017 Traverse starts fine but dies within a second or two. Could this be a key problem?

Accepted Answer

That start-then-stall pattern is one of the clearest signs the immobilizer is involved. The engine cranks and fires because the ignition cylinder is mechanically functioning, but the vehicle security system cuts fuel or spark almost immediately because it didn't get a valid signal from the transponder chip.

This can happen with a worn or damaged chip, a key that was cut correctly but never properly programmed, or a chip that has drifted out of the immobilizer's accepted range over time. It can also show up after a battery replacement if something didn't reset cleanly, though that's less common.

The fix depends on what diagnostics show. Sometimes it's re-registering the existing key. Sometimes the chip is genuinely failing and the key needs to be replaced. I can diagnose it on site in North Broadway and tell you exactly what you're dealing with before any work starts.

Question 5

Can I buy a key blank online and just have it cut and programmed?

Accepted Answer

You can, and it sometimes works out fine. The thing to know is that the transponder chip inside the key head matters as much as the blade. Not every aftermarket blank sold online carries the right chip for the 2017 Traverse, and some list compatibility that doesn't hold up in practice.

If you show up with a blank you bought and it has the wrong chip type, the blade can be cut perfectly and the key still won't start the car. I keep blanks on hand that I know work for this vehicle, so there's no guessing. If you want to bring your own, I'm happy to test it first before cutting.

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