C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

PKE blues...

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Old Sep 24, 2003 | 07:42 PM
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Default PKE blues...

Ok, I bought a new PKE last winter (January 2003). What's the average battery life you guys have experienced?? Lately, it's only been working 1 out of every 5-6 times , if that.. I've actually used my KEY a couple of times... Imagine that :crazy: . Anyways, I figured this thing should have lasted longer?!?!? My wife's GT keypad has had the same batteries for 5 years... It's about the only reliable thing related to a Ford :lol:
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Old Sep 24, 2003 | 10:43 PM
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Default Re: PKE blues... (Jbaker)

:lurk:
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Old Sep 24, 2003 | 11:18 PM
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Default Re: PKE blues... (_freakmonkeydogboy_)

Don't get me started on the pke... I finally took mine off the chain and just use the key. It worked as designed, but it was designed plain stupid imo. I hate that you can't use it as just a remote; most of the time simple is better... :rant:
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Old Sep 24, 2003 | 11:20 PM
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Default Re: PKE blues... (C4DC)

Don't get me started on the pke... I finally took mine off the chain and just use the key. It worked as designed, but it was designed plain stupid imo. I hate that you can't use it as just a remote; most of the time simple is better... :rant:
Well that's one thing that always bugged me about it... It killed my battery this past winter... Every time I would walk into the garage UNLOCK/LOCK(BEEP)/UNLOCK/LOCK(BEEP).... This winter, the PKE will stay INSIDE the house.. but, I still can't see why this thing has died so quick...
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Old Sep 25, 2003 | 12:46 AM
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Default Re: PKE blues... (Jbaker)

The difference between the keypad on the ford and the pke one is that the ford one is only going to transmit when the buttons are depressed. The pke fob, however, has a motion detector (for lack of better term) and transmits every time the fob is moved or shaken, thus if you carry it around everywhere and everyday, it is constantly transmitting and could cause pre-mature battery failure. When I bought my pke fob, my module on the car was bad so it sat for at least a year and a half before i was actually able to use it. After I replaced the module, the battery in the fob was and is still good.
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Old Sep 25, 2003 | 11:53 AM
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Default Re: PKE blues... (rayosequis)

I don't know. I carry my PKE in my pocket all the time and the battery has lasted 3+ years. Are you sure you are getting the L(lithum) replacement for it. If you're just getting the standard, I wouldn't expect it to last more than 6-12 months.
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Old Sep 25, 2003 | 11:57 AM
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Default Re: PKE blues... (R94 LT 1)

I don't know. I carry my PKE in my pocket all the time and the battery has lasted 3+ years. Are you sure you are getting the L(lithum) replacement for it. If you're just getting the standard, I wouldn't expect it to last more than 6-12 months.
Well, what ever came in it from GM... I bought it new from the dealer....
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Old Sep 25, 2003 | 12:02 PM
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Default Re: PKE blues... (Jbaker)

I don't know. I carry my PKE in my pocket all the time and the battery has lasted 3+ years. Are you sure you are getting the L(lithum) replacement for it. If you're just getting the standard, I wouldn't expect it to last more than 6-12 months.

Well, what ever came in it from GM... I bought it new from the dealer....
Heck if that's the case, I'd replace the battery. It's probably been sitting around for the last 6-10 years.
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Old Sep 25, 2003 | 12:39 PM
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Default Re: PKE blues... (Jbaker)

The battery on my PKE Fob lasted more than 3 years and it is carried in my pocket all the time. I bought a direct replacement battery from RadioShack and the PKE continues to work flawlessly. When I am working in the garage, I either deactivate the PKE of close the drivers door on to the first latch position; the interior lights go off and the PKE fails to cycly. Yes, there are simple solutions to our aggrevation when we use electromechanical devices.
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Old Sep 25, 2003 | 01:02 PM
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Default Re: PKE blues... (Jbaker)

I can't stand the PKE either, but love not having to fumble for a key to open the door when my hands are full. I hate that lock/unlock thing every time you get near it. Like when you're putting gas in, dam thing drives you crazy! My battery lasted a long time but I broke the thing trying to get into it and it self distructed. Cost me $400 for chevy dealer to put in a new one and calibrate it. Why couldn't GM just put a button on the thing and let us lock and unlock? :confused:
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Old Sep 25, 2003 | 01:15 PM
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Default Re: PKE blues... (9T4YY1)

Like mentioned above, I just leave the door cracked at the gas station when I'm pumping gas. That way I don't have to deal with it locking and unlocking. If I have to go inside afterwards, then I can close the door and it'll lock as I'm walking away. Otherwise, I'm standing right there so it being cracked isn't a big deal. Keys in hand since I have a locking gas cap.
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Old Sep 25, 2003 | 01:46 PM
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Default Re: PKE blues... (Jbaker)

Well, what ever came in it from GM... I bought it new from the dealer....
Which was sitting there shelves since they built the car in 1993.........Get a new lithium battery and that will solve the problem.

Kitt
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Old Sep 25, 2003 | 04:12 PM
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Default Re: PKE blues... (kittmaster)

I recently bought my second PKE. The first one did not come with a battery; so I put a new battery in it and it lasted until the PKE stop working. The second came with a battery already in it, but I can tell the battery is weak because it takes to long for the doors to activate. Who knows who long the PKE sat on their shelf with those batteries in it. I would assume that that's probably your problem too (ie., the batteries are weak). When the PKE works it works great, but from my experience, the unit only last around 2 years at most.

ZZZASY
'96 LT4
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