Does anyone know a way to test the fob for a 93? I bought a new fob about 6 months ago and everything worked fine. Then one day stopped working. I repaced the battery, but nothing happened. I remember seeing a fob testing station somewhere but don't remember where. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks

 

The battery in the FOBs lasts for years. The only way to really test a FOB is on a known working PKE system on a vette. So I no other car is available then PKE tests in your car need to be looked at.

First, does the PKE light on the DIP panel light for 2 seconds when you turn the key to ON (no start). If the light is lit for the 2 seconds, then it passed the basic self test. At that point there are 2 options to pursue.
1 – Go into programming mode and reprogram the FOB and see if procedure goes normal and then if system works.
2– Go into self test mode “for the PKE” and see what the faults are.

Second, If the light does not light for the 2 seconds, then it possible failed the basic self test or in sleep mode. At that point there are 3 options to pursue.

1 – Try to take the system out of sleep mode. If in sleep mode system won’t work or light will not light.
2 – Try to go into programming mode and reprogram the FOB and see if procedure goes normal and then if system works.
3– Go into self test mode “for the PKE” and see what the faults are. However if the lamp does not ever light, then you may not be able to go into self test.

If the PKE light never comes on and it does not appear to be in sleep mode and if you can’t get the light to come on in programming mode either, then the PKE receiver may be defective.
Would need additional exact details of symptoms to add any further information.

 

Pep boys, autozone, etc have testing stations where you put your key fob next to their sensor and it will tell you if it is the fob. I dont know how it will work for the Vette fob though?

Are you able to open the hatch or unlock the doors with the buttons?

 

This would be great if a test existed.
I thought I would check this out with Autozone and Pep Boys.

From what I gather by phone, it is not a functional test, but only a test to check the battery. As Pep Boys explained to me the battery is tested with out removing it from the FOB. Now this is black magic or what I think it might be is the general RF signal strength is measured. They relate that to battery strength. Most of these sales people I spoke with have limited electronics knowledge. The first one did not even know what a FOB was.

But the kicker here is they “said” they can not test the passive FOBs. Thats the ones that we use. Let me just say from experience and knowledge that the 3.0 volt battery that checks 2.8 –2.9 volts can cause a problem. A new 3.0 battery will check about 3.1 volts. Point is checking a battery is not a sure check of functionality, replacement is the only way.

These passive FOBs require the PKE receiver to communicate with to find out if they are working. And the only place I know of the find a receiver like this in a corvette of proper year. A test set would need a receiver built in to be able to get a reliable test plus antennas, and all the bells and whistles that make it work.

Show me a easier or better way and I will be on the band wagon.

 

Thanks