Question 1

How do I spot a fake locksmith before I get ripped off?

Accepted Answer

A few things separate a real mobile locksmith from someone running a bait-and-switch. First, they should be able to give you a firm total price for your specific vehicle before they show up. If they won't quote your 2009 Equinox specifically on the phone, that's a flag. Second, watch what happens on arrival. A tech who shows up without the right blank already in the van or starts inventing fees once they're in your driveway is a problem. Third, check that they're actually licensed. California requires a locksmith license, and you can verify it before you hand anyone your keys.

The most common scam pattern: a low quote over the phone, then a "programming surcharge" or "security access fee" added on site that doubles or triples the total. One real price up front, confirmed before work starts. That's the standard.

Question 2

What exactly is a transponder key and why does my 2009 Equinox need one?

Accepted Answer

The key for your Equinox has two jobs. The blade turns the ignition cylinder mechanically, same as any key. But inside the plastic head there's a small transponder chip that the car reads at startup. The immobilizer in the vehicle checks whether that chip is recognized. If it is, the engine starts normally. If it isn't, the car won't run, even if the blade is cut perfectly.

That's why a key cut at a hardware store won't start your Equinox. The cut might be right, but the chip either isn't there or isn't programmed. You need both: a correctly cut blade and a chip that's been through the proper relearn for your specific vehicle.

No remote, no buttons. The 2009 Equinox on this key type is purely a turn-key setup.

Question 3

What equipment do you use to program a key for a 2009 Equinox?

Accepted Answer

For this generation of Equinox I use a professional programmer capable of GM transponder relearns. On these older GM vehicles the process doesn't require the factory security data subscriptions that newer platforms demand, but it still needs proper equipment to do the relearn correctly and confirm the chip is accepted by the immobilizer.

I also carry the right key blanks for this vehicle so I'm not ordering parts after I arrive. The cut is done on site with a code cutter. Everything happens in your driveway or parking lot, not at a shop.

Question 4

My 2009 Equinox starts and then immediately stalls. Could it be a key or immobilizer problem?

Accepted Answer

This is one of the more common questions I get on this generation of GM vehicle. A start-then-stall pattern, where the engine fires and dies within a second or two, often points to the immobilizer not completing its handshake with the transponder chip. You might also see a theft deterrent warning light staying on or flashing on the dash.

Before assuming the key is bad, check whether it happens with every key you own or just one. If one key works and another doesn't, the problem is with that specific key's chip, not the car. If no key works and the warning light is active, the relearn may need to be run again, or the transponder chip in your key may have failed.

These chips can fail on their own, especially in keys that have been on a heavy keychain for years. Physical stress on the head of the key over time can crack the chip. If your key looks worn or the plastic head has taken some hits, that's worth checking before anything else.

Question 5

Can I get a spare key made from the VIN, or do you need the original key present?

Accepted Answer

Both paths work, just at different speeds. With the VIN and proof of ownership I can pull the key cut data and make a key without the original present. If you also have a working key, the add-a-key process is faster than starting from scratch with all-keys-lost.

All-keys-lost takes longer because the relearn procedure on these older GM vehicles has a timed sequence built in. Still very doable on site, just not quite as quick. Either way, bring your ID and your VIN. That combination is what gets the job moving.

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