1996 Key Fob Problem
#1
1996 Key Fob Problem
I bought a 1996 C4 and it did not come with a key fob. I got a key fob for the car on ebay. When I went to program the key fob, it would not take. I followed the instructions in the owners manual to program a fob. Tried it many times with no luck at all. I started reading more about the key fob and it said in the manual you could turn the passive key system off. It said that when you were first starting the car the passive key light should come on for a couple of seconds before going off. My light did not come on at all; so, I am thinking that my system was turned off with the original key fob I did not get with the car and I am now not able to turn the system on so that I can program the fob I have purchased. Is there some way I can turn the system back on without that original fob? I am thinking; maybe then, my programing procedure might work. Any thoughts out there?
#2
Last edited by antfarmer2; 05-13-2016 at 08:16 AM.
#3
Burning Brakes
I had the same problem. I programmed a friends FOB on my car to see if my system was operating correctly. I tried 3 aftermarket FOB's with lot's of time & money spent/wasted before breaking down and purchasing a FOB from the GM store.
Don't know why the aftermarket FOB's would not work correctly. They went in the recycle bin.
Don't know why the aftermarket FOB's would not work correctly. They went in the recycle bin.
#4
Drifting
I bought a 1996 C4 and it did not come with a key fob. I got a key fob for the car on ebay. When I went to program the key fob, it would not take. I followed the instructions in the owners manual to program a fob. Tried it many times with no luck at all. I started reading more about the key fob and it said in the manual you could turn the passive key system off. It said that when you were first starting the car the passive key light should come on for a couple of seconds before going off. My light did not come on at all; so, I am thinking that my system was turned off with the original key fob I did not get with the car and I am now not able to turn the system on so that I can program the fob I have purchased. Is there some way I can turn the system back on without that original fob? I am thinking; maybe then, my programing procedure might work. Any thoughts out there?
#5
Melting Slicks
Your receiver is probably dead. The system being "off" does not prevent you from programming a new fob to it. Post more detail about what you did and what the results were when you tried programming it. If you tell us what you did to program it and what happened at each step we may be able to help.
There are three basic possibilities:
1. there is a problem with the fob
2. there is a problem with the receiver (and/or antennas)
3. you may have done something wrong (I'm sure you didn't, but it has been known to happen)
There are three basic possibilities:
1. there is a problem with the fob
2. there is a problem with the receiver (and/or antennas)
3. you may have done something wrong (I'm sure you didn't, but it has been known to happen)
Last edited by markKlein; 05-13-2016 at 11:01 AM.
#6
Instructor
#7
Your receiver is probably dead. The system being "off" does not prevent you from programming a new fob to it. Post more detail about what you did and what the results were when you tried programming it. If you tell us what you did to program it and what happened at each step we may be able to help.
There are three basic possibilities:
1. there is a problem with the fob
2. there is a problem with the receiver (and/or antennas)
3. you may have done something wrong (I'm sure you didn't, but it has been known to happen)
There are three basic possibilities:
1. there is a problem with the fob
2. there is a problem with the receiver (and/or antennas)
3. you may have done something wrong (I'm sure you didn't, but it has been known to happen)
I also thought that when the key is first turned before starting the car, the PKE light is supposed to stay on for a couple of seconds then go out. When I turn on my ignition, the light does not come on at all. I am thinking the system has been turned off. Can I get the system back on without the original fob?
#8
Melting Slicks
Hi, Mark. When through the programming of the fob again today by placing the fob more than 20 feet from the car. Got in the car put key in ignition and turned on, but did not start. Pushed Trip/Odo button twice and within 5 seconds, pushed and held the Fuel/Info button until the PKE light came on and stayed on. Turned the ignition key off, did not remove the key and the PKE light began flashing. Opened the door and got out of the car, shut the door and went to get the fob. Got the fob and walked toward the drivers door of the car. Watched the PKE light and it continued to flash; it never stayed on steady. It just continued to flash no matter how long I waited.
I also thought that when the key is first turned before starting the car, the PKE light is supposed to stay on for a couple of seconds then go out. When I turn on my ignition, the light does not come on at all. I am thinking the system has been turned off. Can I get the system back on without the original fob?
I also thought that when the key is first turned before starting the car, the PKE light is supposed to stay on for a couple of seconds then go out. When I turn on my ignition, the light does not come on at all. I am thinking the system has been turned off. Can I get the system back on without the original fob?
Being "turned off" does not prevent you programming a new fob. Don't worry about the original fob. The light not coming on when you turn the key on just means the system is set to not automatically lock/unlock the doors; it has nothing to do with being able to program a new fob. (I don't think the old fob would even work now, when you go into programming mode, the system removes the old fob(s) from memory to make way for new ones.)
The good news is that based on the flashing light your receiver seems to be fine. The fact that it does not recognize the fob but is blinking points to the fob as the problem (or could be the antennas are all hosed, but that is a real long shot). Make sure the fob battery is good (if it came in the original package it is a very old battery , what voltage are you getting from it?), make sure it is not upside down, make sure it is seated properly. It's always possible the fob is damaged (when you shake it you should hear a rattle). Do you know anyone with a working fob, maybe a Vette club in your area? Try to program a fob that you know is working. Odds are about 95% that the problem is the fob/fob battery.
Even though it looks like everything on the car is OK, it wouldn't hurt to check fuses 26, 40 and 42.
You don't happen to be in northern Colorado do you?
Last edited by markKlein; 05-30-2016 at 09:42 AM.
#9
Burning Brakes
Good, you have eliminated possibilities 2 and 3.
Being "turned off" does not prevent you programming a new fob. Don't worry about the original fob. The light not coming on when you turn the key on just means the system is set to not automatically lock/unlock the doors; it has nothing to do with being able to program a new fob. (I don't think the old fob would even work now, when you go into programming mode, the system removes the old fob(s) from memory to make way for new ones.)
The good news is that based on the flashing light your receiver seems to be fine. The fact that it does not recognize the fob but is blinking points to the fob as the problem (or could be the antennas are all hosed, but that is a real long shot). Make sure the fob battery is good (if it came in the original package it is a very old battery , what voltage are you getting from it?), make sure it is not upside down, make sure it is seated properly. It's always possible the fob is damaged (when you shake it you should hear a rattle). Do you know anyone with a working fob, maybe a Vette club in your area? Try to program a fob that you know is working. Odds are about 95% that the problem is the fob/fob battery.
Even though it looks like everything on the car is OK, it wouldn't hurt to check fuses 26, 40 and 42.
You don't happen to be in northern Colorado do you?
Being "turned off" does not prevent you programming a new fob. Don't worry about the original fob. The light not coming on when you turn the key on just means the system is set to not automatically lock/unlock the doors; it has nothing to do with being able to program a new fob. (I don't think the old fob would even work now, when you go into programming mode, the system removes the old fob(s) from memory to make way for new ones.)
The good news is that based on the flashing light your receiver seems to be fine. The fact that it does not recognize the fob but is blinking points to the fob as the problem (or could be the antennas are all hosed, but that is a real long shot). Make sure the fob battery is good (if it came in the original package it is a very old battery , what voltage are you getting from it?), make sure it is not upside down, make sure it is seated properly. It's always possible the fob is damaged (when you shake it you should hear a rattle). Do you know anyone with a working fob, maybe a Vette club in your area? Try to program a fob that you know is working. Odds are about 95% that the problem is the fob/fob battery.
Even though it looks like everything on the car is OK, it wouldn't hurt to check fuses 26, 40 and 42.
You don't happen to be in northern Colorado do you?
Its not the batteries, got brand spanking new CR2430 batts in both of them.
So its either the FOBs or the PKE system. Fobs are at least $130 on eBay. I found this:
http://www.corvetteforums.com/forum/...-repair-12741/
I emailed her to see if she still does the repair. Can't pull anything up on fixing the PKE system. Anyone have a thread on that?
#10
Burning Brakes
#11
Melting Slicks
So what voltage are you getting? Are you sure they aren't upside down?
If it's the exact same problem then you get a blinking light, right? if so then it is not a problem with the PKE receiver. It's a problem with the fobs.
If it's the exact same problem then you get a blinking light, right? if so then it is not a problem with the PKE receiver. It's a problem with the fobs.
Last edited by markKlein; 06-06-2016 at 10:50 AM.
#12
Burning Brakes
I didn't measure the voltage but the battery is in the right way and its brand new. I believe its the fobssss!
Last edited by jay23ls; 06-08-2016 at 09:48 PM.
#13
Burning Brakes
Ok so the C4fob lady still does this work.. of fixing fobs FYI for anyone interested. She just takes a few days to email back
Since I have the same symptoms of the PKE programming mode working but the fobs not being recognized or picked up during that mode, I'm guessing its the fobs.
Before I send them off to her.... is the correct battery CR2430 or 2450? I bought 2430s but see both on different threads
Since I have the same symptoms of the PKE programming mode working but the fobs not being recognized or picked up during that mode, I'm guessing its the fobs.
Before I send them off to her.... is the correct battery CR2430 or 2450? I bought 2430s but see both on different threads
Last edited by jay23ls; 06-08-2016 at 09:52 PM.
#14
Burning Brakes
Anyone know if the the correct fob battery is CR2430 or 2450? Or do both work? I bought 2430s and fobs not being recognized in programming mode so thought I'd check w yall