2000 Chevrolet Tahoe Key Replacement

The 2000–2006 Tahoe uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the Chevrolet Tahoe key guide.

2000 Chevrolet Tahoe: key facts

Key type: Mechanical (no chip)
Push-to-start: No
Transponder chip: none (Passlock — no chip in key)
Programming: NONE
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

Passlock: the security sensor lives in the ignition lock cylinder, not the key — a correctly cut key starts the vehicle with no programming. Security-light no-starts usually mean a failed Passlock sensor, and a 30-minute (3x10-minute) relearn is required after ignition-cylinder or BCM replacement.

What kind of key does a 2000 Tahoe use?

The 2000 Tahoe has a plain mechanical key. It is not push-to-start, and there is no chip hidden in the plastic head. The reference sources we check for this year (transpondery.com and ezkyz.com) agree on that. The theft-deterrent system is called Passlock, and the security sensor lives in the ignition lock cylinder, not in the key.

For you as the owner, that changes what a replacement involves. Many later vehicles need a key that has to be electronically introduced to the truck. This one does not. If the blade is cut correctly and the cylinder is healthy, the key turns and the engine starts. There is no programming method to run and no special diagnostic authorization needed for the key itself.

It also means there is a mechanical backup key in the same sense as the main key: they are the same kind of key. You do not need to hunt for a special spare, and a spare cut today works the same as the one that came with the truck.

Do I need an original key, or can you work from all keys lost?

Both situations are possible on this truck. An original key is not required, and making a key when every key is gone is possible. Having a working key just makes the job simpler.

You still have one key: we can duplicate it. Do this before the blade wears further, because a copy made from a badly worn key inherits that wear.
You have no keys: we can make a key to fit the truck without an original. We work from the vehicle's lock and its VIN-based information rather than from a sample.
Your key is bent, cracked, or too worn to turn the locks: bring what is left of it. Even a damaged key can help us confirm the cuts.

What if the key is fine but the Tahoe still will not start?

On these trucks the key is often not the culprit. Three problems come up most often in the data for this year:

A failed Passlock sensor in the ignition cylinder. The usual signs are the security light staying on, or the engine starting and then dying, even with a good key.
Worn ignition lock wafers on a high-mileage truck. The key sticks, or it will not turn.
Worn or damaged key blades that no longer turn the door or ignition locks.

We start by checking whether the key is actually cutting the lock correctly, because a fresh key solves a worn-blade problem fast.
If the key turns smoothly and the security light is on or the engine dies after starting, we look at the Passlock side instead of cutting more keys.
If the ignition cylinder or the body control module has to be replaced, a relearn is required afterward. That relearn takes about 30 minutes, run as three 10-minute cycles, and the truck needs to sit through the whole process.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

We answer around the clock, every day of the year.

Call (213) 577-1366

What affects the cost of a 2000 Tahoe key?

We do not quote numbers on a web page, because the real figure depends on your situation. These are the things that move it:

Whether you have a working key to copy or we are starting from all keys lost.
Whether the truck is at our storefront or we are driving a mobile van to you, and the time of day.
The condition of the ignition cylinder. A worn cylinder may need more than a new key.
Whether the Passlock sensor or the body control module has to be replaced, which adds parts and the 30-minute relearn.
How many keys you want cut, since extra copies at the same visit are usually the more economical route than coming back later.

Why call Wilshire Lock & Key for this

We have been in business since 1987, with a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood and mobile service vans. When you call (213) 577-1366, which is answered 24 hours a day, you reach our own company, not a dispatch middleman. David, the owner and lead technician, oversees the work.

One honest note: our reference data for this year is marked verified, and it is plain that this is a chipless Passlock key. Even so, we confirm by VIN before cutting anything, since a quick check of the actual truck is better than assuming. If your Tahoe turns out to differ from what the data says, we will tell you plainly before any work starts.

You can read more on our Chevrolet Tahoe key page, browse other Chevrolet models, or see all car key services. If you would rather send details first, use our contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Does a 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe key have a chip in it?

No. It uses a mechanical key with no transponder chip. The Passlock sensor is in the ignition lock cylinder, so the key does not need to be programmed.

Can you make a 2000 Tahoe key if I lost all of them?

Yes. An original key is not needed, and all-keys-lost is possible for this truck. We confirm the details by VIN and then cut a key to fit.

Why does my Tahoe start and then die with the security light on?

That pattern usually points to a failed Passlock sensor in the ignition lock cylinder, not a bad key. A new key will not fix it, so the cylinder side needs to be looked at.

My key sticks or will not turn in the ignition. Is it the key?

It can be either. Worn wafers inside the ignition lock are common on high-mileage trucks, and a worn blade can cause the same symptom. We check both before recommending anything.

Is a relearn needed after replacing the ignition cylinder?

Yes. After an ignition cylinder or body control module replacement, the Passlock system needs a relearn of about 30 minutes, done as three 10-minute cycles.

Should I ask a locksmith for a license?

Yes. California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license, and you should ask any locksmith for it before work begins.

We cover all these cities

Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.

Last updated 2026-10-11.