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Just bought my first Vette, 1995 C4 Coupe and all in all, good condition for 64K miles. Ok my dilemma... I have been searching and searching and... for a key fob for the PKE system and I have found NOTHING!
I found a couple of places that have the, shell, but not a complete fob.
Does ANYONE know of a place that has the fob? Just ONE?
Or, does anyone know of a secondary source (or aftermarket) that has a fob that would work with our system?
I'd love to keep and use the original PKE system, but if I can't find a fob then I'm going to have to replace it with an aftermarket.
Any help in locating one would be greatly appreciated.
If you really don't like your key fob I'll pay to take it off your hands
Do you actually know how these FOB's work? They don't work like modern FOB's. They automatically lock your doors as you move away from the car. They are a pain. Maybe someone really likes how they work and that is great. I will just use my key. Dan
That's why its called passive keyless entry yes. There are plenty of modern cars that have this feature. Messing with a physical key is a pain, which I think I think most people agree with since keyless entry is standard in almost every modern car.
Once I got used to how the PKE system worked, I actually like it. My 96 LT4 came with one fob, but the case was broken so it couldn’t hold a key ring. Once I found a shell, I read up on it, got some info from the forum, and turned it on. Prior to that, for the first couple of months I had that car, I was locking and unlocking the door with the key, and man, hadn’t done that in probably 35 years so either had to get the fob working or install an aftermarket alarm with keyless entry.
Initially, I thought it was just a key fob with lock and unlock but as I mentioned, once I understood how it worked, I got used to it after a few days. I will say it’s a pain when you’re working on the car, but that’s an easy fix, either turn the PKE off, or roll the windows down and leave the fob on the console, or if working under the hood, let it lock the doors by putting the key fob a few feet away (I put the fob on my workbench when I’m under the hood).
That's why its called passive keyless entry yes. There are plenty of modern cars that have this feature. Messing with a physical key is a pain, which I think I think most people agree with since keyless entry is standard in almost every modern car.
Ok, if you like it that is great. My door key is on the same ring as my ignition key. I have to get it out of my pocket anyway. Have you changed your ignition to not need a key as "messing with a physical key is a pain"? Dan
It's an 'aftermarket' shell, and the vendor is currently out of stock, but perhaps will be making/sourcing more? You might consider messaging them.
Agree, I bought one of the reproduction ones RPO Joe noted. Also, a bit bulkier, but Forum member REF772, 3D prints them, so that's an option too. I had one of the 3D printed ones till I saw the aftermarket ones. The aftermarket ones look identical to the OEM ones, in my opinion, so if you ever come across those, buy one immediately because they won't last long.
From: Central Kansas – early 1977 L-48 Coupe in Classic White, aka the Sunset Stripper
2023 C4 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
Originally Posted by TripleB5832
The aftermarket ones look identical to the OEM ones, in my opinion...
They're not 100% identical, but it would take a discerning eye to tell the spot the differences between the OEM and the re-pop case (it's close enough for government work, in other words).
...so if you ever come across those, buy one immediately because they won't last long.
Amen to that! I procrastinated a while back and missed out getting the "last one" one from this same vendor, but checked again the other night and he/she had another listing up, with "LAST ONE" noted. I grabbed it without hesitation. I have an OEM fob that came with my '96. The guts are good, but the case is in several pieces. The OEM guts fit perfectly in the re-pop case.
[QUOTE=RPO Joe;1607549724]They're not 100% identical, but it would take a discerning eye to tell the spot the differences between the OEM and the re-pop case (it's close enough for government work, in other words).
You are correct. I'm pretty particular and the case works for me; close enough as you note; it has a smooth feel and rounded edges...good enough for me. They look very similar, although the re-pop case I noticed does not have any ID/part number on it, whereas my broken OEM case does.
I wanted one when I first got my 95. And I saw the prices. Then my dad got a 96 with a fob and I decided I hated them for reasons stated above. I worked on his car one day and he was there with me. I finally got pissed enough to tell him to go put the damn keys inside the house. He’s got 30% hearing and didn’t know he was standing in the threshold of the car constantly locking and unlocking. If it was a non passive system I’d buy one. I hate automatic anything which is why I can’t stand new cars.
Although they are very hard to find they do still exist, in 2017 I picked up this dark purple 96 roadster in the Chicago suburbs and drove it home to Minneapolis-St. Paul, the next day I was going through the box of things that came with the car and look what I found, three FOB's, one stayed with the car and two went to Forum Members at $125.00 at piece, so it may take some time but hopefully you will find one.
They're not 100% identical, but it would take a discerning eye to tell the spot the differences between the OEM and the re-pop case (it's close enough for government work, in other words).
Originally Posted by TripleB5832
They're not 100% identical, but it would take a discerning eye to tell the spot the differences between the OEM and the re-pop case (it's close enough for government work, in other words).
You are correct. I'm pretty particular and the case works for me; close enough as you note; it has a smooth feel and rounded edges...good enough for me. They look very similar, although the re-pop case I noticed does not have any ID/part number on it, whereas my broken OEM case does.
I have one, want another-they are also on Ebay in the $300 range. I can get by with my wife using the PKE and I will use the key for $300. Driving an almost 30-year-old car, we can't depend on the aftermarket to develop an economical replacement!
Shell needed
