There are 2 problems I'm having with my 95 C4, maybe someone could help me out.

PKE: My PKE system (Passive Keyless Entry) was working fine for about 5 months (thats when I bought it), then it stopped working. Sometimes my PKE light would come on for no reason while driving, and the rear hatch even opened a few times while I was driving. I figured the Key FOB was the problem, and tried new batteries and even ordered a new one. Now I can't program the system, I've tried about 100 times, and even had a GM Mechanic try it out. When you start the programming sequence I can't even get the PKE light to come on and flash...it just stays off.

Now the system won't take the programming, and my PKE light comes on for no apparent reason, at various times. Sometimes it will come on right when I put the key in the ignition, and other times it will come on when I've been driving. It will usually just stay on till I shut the car off, re insert the key then it usually goes off. I asked the Chevy dealer to look at it, and they couldn't figure it out, they said the controller under the dash might be out...

Anyway if that's the case anyone know what it takes to replace it and the cost. I've checked the fuse for the PKE, I've tried different remotes, but if anyone has any ideas that I could try I'd appreciate it.
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One more thing, sorry for the real long post:

My upper AC vents don't seem to blow, I'm guessing it's a vacum problem, but am kind of clueless on how to test this, and which vacum line I should even check. I did a search and it seems a few ppl have had this problem, was hoping someone could maybe step me through what to check, and how.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions

 

NVM about my AC troubles just went through my vacum lines again and found a broken valve.

 

The dealer shud have been able to scan the PKE system for codes. Did they say if they tried?

 

They told me it didn't run off the main computer, so they couldn't pull up codes for it. Didn't make a lot of sense to me but I've been to a Chevy Dealer in LA and Palm Springs both told me they basically weren't sure.

One more question:

I think the PKE might be off since the light won't come on when I start the car, without a remote is there anyway to turn it back on for programming?

 

Don't think you can do it without a remote?

Tell the dealer to look in book 1 of the service manual, section 9K-3
Passive Keyless Entry for instructions on pulling codes. I guess there are very few people left who are familiar with the system. If you need a copy of the instructions for pulling codes I can scan it for you.

 

with key off:

Ground 'H' on the DLC. To do this, use a paper clip and put one side in the top right slot, this is the ground. Put the other end into the bottom slot second from the left, this is the 'H' terminal.

Next turn the key to the 'ON' position, SO NOT start.

Your PKE lamp will flash your codes:
12 - Receiver memory bad
13 - Transmitter not in range
14 - Transmitter received
15 - Valid transmitter
16 - Passenger door button pressed
17 - hatch button depressed

there will be a pause between each number and each code will flash 3 times.

You sound like you have the same problem as me, your contacts are corroded, so you only get a signal sporatically. Your PKE receiver is in the dash, take off your dash in the center and clean your contacts.

 

Good info except that he has a 95 which shud have a 16 pin DLC. He will have to ground pin #8 to #4. The DLC is numbered top...left to right..1 thru 8.
bottom ..left to right..9 thru 16.

 

Thanks for the info, yeah the dealers didn't seem to know what they were talking about. The Chevy Dealer in LA was the same one that told me to fix my AC would run around $1000, next day I bought a $6 plastic vacum valve and now it works fine.

I'll take a look at those contacts.

BTW where in the dash is the PKE located, how hard is it to get to?

thanks again

 

It is in the center console, right beside the radio. It will take about an hour to get to the receiver.

 

Well thanks for the info Randy93, you seem very knowledgeable on this topic.
My PKE on my 94 convert was working flawlessly until I noticed the distance to unlock sharply decrease. I haven't used the car for several weeks, now it doesn't unlock at all with the transmitter, even using the button. Naturally I assumed the transmitter battery was at fault, so I replaced it today. No improvement. The PKE light on the DIC stays on all the time while driving. When I try to program the transmitter, using the instruction card, I can't get the PKE light to flash at all. Sometime it stays on continuously and some time it turns off and stays off.

Is it normal for the fuel info display beside the speedo to cycle through it's various displays while I hold down the "Fuel Info" button during programming?
Any ideas???

 

Does your DIC work properly?
If it does, sounds like a wire to an antennae or the the antennae is bad or going bad. Could also be the transmitter went south.

 

Correct, except it's pin four to pin twelve. Fourth ones from the left on the top and bottom rows.

 

Randy, the rest of my DIC is fine, so I don't suspect there's a fault there.

When I unlock the door with the key and start the car the PKE light stays on while I drive. But if I start the car (and the PKE light is on) I can turn the car off and restart it and the light goes off and stays off until I turn the car off and on again.

Any ideas how to test the antennas?

 

It's 4 to 12 for Pcm/Ecm, but not for the PKE according to the factory manual.

 

Best way to test, is if there is a like year vette around. See if you can program your remote. If you can then it is something in your car, else it is a bad remote.

To test your PKE system, you need the section in the service manual that covers this, if you don't have the manual send me your email and I will scan and email you the sections. They are way to involved for me to descride them accurately.

 

I'm having the exact same problem in my 96 collector's edition. If anyone has any help, it would be greatly appreciated as the car is going in a couple days and the new owner would like the PKE working. I don't have a manual, so if someone could email me the service manual diagnosis section on PKE I would be very thankful.

 

If you want someone to email you the section, you have to provide an email address!

 

if someone could e-mail flexintex@hotmail.com the instructions to program a remote for a 96 collectors coupe, I'd appreciate it. I turned my car into the shop with a remote and when I get it back, it was gone... So someone owes me a remote, but I don't want to pay to program it if I can do it myself. Thanks for the help!!