Lishi B111 Explained: Which GM Vehicles It Fits and How to Use It

The Lishi B111 is a 2-in-1 pick and decoder for the GM "Z" keyway. It picks the lock, then reads the cuts so you can cut a key without a code or the original. Our catalog lists the Original Lishi B111 against GM, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer, Pontiac, Saturn, Suzuki and Saab applications. Always confirm the keyway on the vehicle before you roll.

What the B111 actually is

B111 is the GM key blank number for a Z-keyway transponder key used on a long run of General Motors vehicles. The Original Lishi B111 is the matching 2-in-1 tool: a pick that lifts the wafers and a decoder that shows each cut position once the lock is set. One tool, two jobs, no code lookup.

Do not confuse it with the other GM Lishi tools. The GM39/B102 is a 10-cut GM tool for the older keyway, and the HU100 is a 10-cut tool for the newer GM laser-cut keyway. If the key in your hand is a B111, the B111 tool is the right match. If you are not sure, read the blank stamping before you open the case.

Year ranges vary by model and trim. The keyway is what matters, not the year.

Which vehicles it fits

The B111 keyway shows up across GM brands, so think in terms of the key, not the badge. Our catalog lists B111 transponder keys and shells against these makes: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer, Pontiac, Saturn and Suzuki. The B111 transponder keys we stock are listed for roughly 2003 to 2017 depending on the product.

That is a wide span, and not every model in it uses the same blank. Some Cadillac and Saturn models use sibling blanks such as the B112 or B114. Check the existing key or the door lock before you commit. Our key blank and keyway guide lists the common GM blanks side by side, and Original Lishi tools by make shows how the B111 sits next to the other GM tools.

If you need to confirm a part by vehicle, Find My Fob matches by year, make and model, and you can browse the model pages for Cadillac CTS, Cadillac SRX and Buick LaCrosse.

How to use the B111: pick, decode, tension

Technique matters more than the tool. The steps below are the general sequence for any 2-in-1 Lishi, adjusted for the B111.

1. Confirm the lock. Check the keyway and clear any debris from the cylinder.
2. Seat the tool fully so the tip is aligned with the wafers.
3. Apply light, steady turning tension. Heavy tension is the number one reason a pick fails or a wafer binds.
4. Lift each wafer with the pick until you feel it set, working position by position.
5. Once the lock turns or is set, read the decoder scale for each cut position and write the cuts down in order.
6. Release tension slowly. Do not let the tool snap back.
7. Cut the key to the recorded depths and test it in the lock before you leave.

Two cautions apply. First, work gently: Lishi tips are fine and can be bent or broken by force. Second, decoding gives you the cuts, not the transponder. A cut key will turn the lock but will not start the vehicle unless the chip is programmed.

From decoded cuts to a working key

Once you have the cuts, the job becomes a normal key job. The B111 blank is stocked with the Philips ID 46 GM Circle+ chip, which is what the B111 transponder keys in our catalog list. Pick the key, cut it, and program it with your tool of choice. For the programming side, see How to program a key fob and Original Lishi 2-in-1 tools.

Parts you may want on the shelf next to the tool:

• GM B111-PT Transponder Key, listed with a Philips 46 chip.
• 2005-2017 GM B111 Transponder Key, Chip 46 (aftermarket).
• B106 / B107 / B111 GM transponder key shell, no chip (aftermarket) when the customer's chip is good and only the case is worn.
• Bundle of 10 B106 / B107 / B111 shells if you handle shell swaps regularly.

Our B111 keys and shells are aftermarket. That is a normal, workable choice for most B111 jobs, and the grade is stated on each product page.

When the B111 is not the right tool

The B111 is for the Z-keyway only. It will not help on a vehicle that uses the newer GM laser-cut keyway, which calls for the HU100 tool. It also will not help on a lock that has been replaced, rekeyed or damaged. If the tool will not seat cleanly, stop and re-check the keyway rather than forcing it.

The other Original Lishi tools we stock include the HU66, TOY43 and TOY48 for European and Toyota applications, covered in our HU66, TOY43, TOY48 and KW1 guide.

FAQ

What does the B111 tool fit? It fits locks cut for the GM Z-keyway, the B111 blank. Our catalog lists it against GM, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer, Pontiac, Saturn, Suzuki and Saab applications. Confirm the keyway on the vehicle first.

Does the Lishi B111 give me a working key? It gives you the cuts. You still need to cut the blank and program the transponder to the vehicle.

Is the B111 the same as the GM39/B102? No. They are different GM tools for different keyways. Match the tool to the blank stamping on the key or the lock.

Which chip does the B111 key use? The B111 transponder keys in our catalog list a Philips ID 46 GM Circle+ chip. Check the product page for the exact chip on each listing.

Building out your GM coverage? Car Key Source supplies trade accounts only, with exact-fit matching by FCC ID and part number, and same-day dispatch by 4 PM ET. Browse the Original Lishi tools and other brands we stock, or open a wholesale account to see trade pricing.