Official Corvette Keyfob Thread
02-10-2019, 08:55 AM
#1
Official Corvette Keyfob Thread
Since everyone is talking about the new C8 key-fob spy pics right now I thought I'd share this article I originally wrote for Autotrader. As much as Corvettes have changed between generations, one thing that's easily overlooked has been GM's addition of Keyfob's to the Corvette lineup and the magnitude improvements and changes they have gone through. I'll update this thread with new info and updates as it becomes available.
The first Corvette model year to offer key-fobs was the 1993 C4, an eagerly awaited feature that should have been released earlier however took longer during integration due to complex engineering demands which are now vastly obsolete by today's standards.
Operating in an odd 125Khz band, the failure prone fobs featured an all new PKE (passive keyless entry) feature, an impressive concept on paper which inadvertently turned out to be massive annoyance with owners. It required the fobs to be actively powered at all times which shortened the battery life requiring endless battery changes. To try mitigate this, GM embedded a primitive motion switch inside the fob comprised with a ball bearing sensor that would only turn on the transmitter when the keyfob detected motion. Additionally, when activated the cars door locks usually had a mind of their own, constantly actuating due to the owner walking around his house with the car endlessly honking in the garage to come out do a locked car with a dead battery or even worse the car locking the keys inside it. All C4 keyfobs were discontinued by GM and no aftermarket versions exist.
Surprisingly GM continued to offer the plagued PKE system in the Corvette for another 6 years even carrying it into the C5 models until the 99 model year. These fobs had a small passive switch at the bottom as a convenient way to toggle the feature on and off. However for the 2000 year and later fobs GM decided to remove the PKE feature altogether. 2001 and newer models received a massive improvement to keyfob and receiver design utilizing the 315mhz frequency. This system remained unchanged until the C6 models. Oddly worth mentioning, the C5 is the only generation where the Corvette Logo was not present on the actual fob. 97-00 keyfobs were also discontinued by GM and no aftermarket versions exist however 01-04 fobs are easily found through GM dealers and aftermarket.
After numerous engineering efforts and improvements GM decided to again offer Keyless Entry for the 2005 and later model years but this time with a vastly improved design and use of integrated sensors in the handles as a final solution to the dreaded false trigger problem. Additionally all models going forward would also feature push button start which was also integrated into the keyfob requiring advanced security and encryption code improvements as a result. This also negated removing part numbers from all key fobs going forward for heightened security purposes.
2005-2007 fobs included a rogue full sized key which greatly confused owners as they didn't know what it was for since there was no ignition lock only to find out the hard way it was intended to get in the car in the event of power failure by opening the trunk and glove box. 2008 and newer models corrected the rogue key confusion problem by abandoning the stand alone keyfob design with correct fobs with built-in emergency keys. 05-07 replacements are typically updated to the newer style at the dealership.
The C7 fobs have remained relatively unchanged cosmetically from existing C6 versions with the exception of the updated logo however they are vastly different internally due to GM's decision to further improve on rolling code encryption and switch all North American fobs, receivers and TPMS sensors from 315Mhz to 433.92Mhz which now share the same frequency going forward with Europe with the exception of the Japanese counterparts (still transmitting on the 315Mhz band.) Now the third official frequency change to Corvette keyfobs since inception and the continued trend going into the C8 Generation with their new FCC designs.
The new 2020 fobs feature the new C8 Logo which is substantially more vertical set, narrowed with a slightly updated motif. All fobs feature front opening frunk buttons to access cargo in the front and a power roof feature which is still unknown whether this will be standard on all models. Further, an identical fob has been submitted with confirmed pictures featuring a Cadillac badge, this would allude us to believe a mid engine V-series Cadillac product with likely matching chassis is in store for the future. It's interesting to note the remote start button on the new fobs I suspect will be standard for all models as they will all feature dual clutch systems going forward.
That's it for now, feel free to share your keyfob stories and knowledge.
The first Corvette model year to offer key-fobs was the 1993 C4, an eagerly awaited feature that should have been released earlier however took longer during integration due to complex engineering demands which are now vastly obsolete by today's standards.
Operating in an odd 125Khz band, the failure prone fobs featured an all new PKE (passive keyless entry) feature, an impressive concept on paper which inadvertently turned out to be massive annoyance with owners. It required the fobs to be actively powered at all times which shortened the battery life requiring endless battery changes. To try mitigate this, GM embedded a primitive motion switch inside the fob comprised with a ball bearing sensor that would only turn on the transmitter when the keyfob detected motion. Additionally, when activated the cars door locks usually had a mind of their own, constantly actuating due to the owner walking around his house with the car endlessly honking in the garage to come out do a locked car with a dead battery or even worse the car locking the keys inside it. All C4 keyfobs were discontinued by GM and no aftermarket versions exist.
Surprisingly GM continued to offer the plagued PKE system in the Corvette for another 6 years even carrying it into the C5 models until the 99 model year. These fobs had a small passive switch at the bottom as a convenient way to toggle the feature on and off. However for the 2000 year and later fobs GM decided to remove the PKE feature altogether. 2001 and newer models received a massive improvement to keyfob and receiver design utilizing the 315mhz frequency. This system remained unchanged until the C6 models. Oddly worth mentioning, the C5 is the only generation where the Corvette Logo was not present on the actual fob. 97-00 keyfobs were also discontinued by GM and no aftermarket versions exist however 01-04 fobs are easily found through GM dealers and aftermarket.
After numerous engineering efforts and improvements GM decided to again offer Keyless Entry for the 2005 and later model years but this time with a vastly improved design and use of integrated sensors in the handles as a final solution to the dreaded false trigger problem. Additionally all models going forward would also feature push button start which was also integrated into the keyfob requiring advanced security and encryption code improvements as a result. This also negated removing part numbers from all key fobs going forward for heightened security purposes.
2005-2007 fobs included a rogue full sized key which greatly confused owners as they didn't know what it was for since there was no ignition lock only to find out the hard way it was intended to get in the car in the event of power failure by opening the trunk and glove box. 2008 and newer models corrected the rogue key confusion problem by abandoning the stand alone keyfob design with correct fobs with built-in emergency keys. 05-07 replacements are typically updated to the newer style at the dealership.
The C7 fobs have remained relatively unchanged cosmetically from existing C6 versions with the exception of the updated logo however they are vastly different internally due to GM's decision to further improve on rolling code encryption and switch all North American fobs, receivers and TPMS sensors from 315Mhz to 433.92Mhz which now share the same frequency going forward with Europe with the exception of the Japanese counterparts (still transmitting on the 315Mhz band.) Now the third official frequency change to Corvette keyfobs since inception and the continued trend going into the C8 Generation with their new FCC designs.
The new 2020 fobs feature the new C8 Logo which is substantially more vertical set, narrowed with a slightly updated motif. All fobs feature front opening frunk buttons to access cargo in the front and a power roof feature which is still unknown whether this will be standard on all models. Further, an identical fob has been submitted with confirmed pictures featuring a Cadillac badge, this would allude us to believe a mid engine V-series Cadillac product with likely matching chassis is in store for the future. It's interesting to note the remote start button on the new fobs I suspect will be standard for all models as they will all feature dual clutch systems going forward.
That's it for now, feel free to share your keyfob stories and knowledge.
Last edited by VETTLIFE; 02-10-2019 at 10:02 AM.
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