Hi everybody - I Just joined the forum after lurking for a week or so while my registration was being processed. Nice place!
So far, I've been able to unravel a few mysteries on the '98 black and tan (hmmm, sounds like a beer when I put it that way) convertible I bought in December (my first 'Vette!) but one eludes me:

- My car only came with one key so I had the dealer make another. The original key seems to correspond to "memory 2", i.e., the seats, mirrors, etc. move when I insert it. The new key doesn't seem to correspond to anything. How can I associate/program the new key to correspond to "memory 1"? My wife will flip if I can get her key to adjust things automatically for her.

Thanks in advance for the help. It's good to be here.

 

the programmed features are tied to the key fobs. The manual has the procedure for programming the seats and other stuff to each fob. Someone will be along shortly with the prcedure typed here..

 

Your memory settings are tied to the remote key fobs. You'll notice a number molded into the back of your fob. Originally, the car comes with #1 and #2 fobs and each of those corresponds to the memory #1 and #2 buttons on the driver's door. There is a third set of settings, #3, that can be used by pressing both door buttons simultaneously. When you unlock the car with one of those fobs, the memory settings associated with that fob are activated (#1 and #2 only). Here's the explanation from the owner's manual.

Memory (Option)

MEMORY can store and recall the settings for the
driver’s seat position, the outside rearview mirror
positions, telescopic steering column (if equipped),
radio presets, tone, volume, playback mode (AM/FM,
tape or CD), last displayed station, compact disc position
and tape direction and the last climate control setting.
The MEMORY buttons are located on the driver’s
door, above the power mirror controls. The MEMORY
buttons can store and recall settings for up to three
drivers. Use button 1 to store the settings for the first
driver, button 2 for a second driver or press buttons
1 and 2 at the same time for a third driver. To store
your memory settings:

1. Adjust your settings for the driver’s seat position,
outside rearview mirror positions, and telescopic
steering wheel (if equipped).

2. Press and hold a MEMORY button. The light
above the MEMORY button will glow steady for
one second and then flash once when the settings
are complete. Then the light will go off.

3. Set the climate control temperature, fan speed and
mode settings, radio presets, tone, volume, playback
mode (AM/FM, tape or CD), tape direction and
compact disc position.

Your memory settings are now programmed.
Any changes that are made to the audio system and
climate controls while driving will be automatically
stored when the ignition key is turned off.

 

I don't have a clue, but welcome to the greatest forum on the Internet. Someone will give you all the facts.

 

It's not really the key that is different, it is the FOBs. There is a process you go through to let the computer know which FOB is associated with memory 1 and which one for memory 2. You can find used FOBs in the C5 Parts section or out on eBay (that's where I got my 2nd one).

 

You da Man

 

Welcome to the board and congrats on the Vette!

 

Welcome!

 

patches...great teamwork!!

 

Welcome to the center of the universe for Corvette owners and wanters. Entertainment awaits here.

Good luck with reprogramming the key fobs. My dealership had programmed mine in reverse to the imprinted numbers, so instead of reprogramming, I just switched the electronic guts and batteries of the fobs; a very quick process.

 

With everything Patches said here except for the above sentence. The numbers are NOT molded on the early transmitters like they are on the later ones. The earliest transmitters for the 1997, 1998 and 1999 model years had a PASSIVE/ACTIVE sliding switch at the bottom of the fob. I believe starting with the 01 model year did the fobs have the number.

The the early fobs - the fob is tied to the memory position, but that is dependent on which transmitter is programmed first on the DIC. When programming the transmitter on the DIC, it will say TRANSMITTER #1, and that will be the transmitter tied to MEMORY#1.....and so forth.

 

Hanging around here will become a major habit!

 

We have a 98 and Welcome and enjoy

 

Welcome to the greatest forum on the net. As you can see we are all here to help you out if we can. Miles of smiles. And save the wave.

 

WELCOME!!! Now I'm not the new kid on the block.

 

Thanks! I didn't know that the keyfobs were associated with the memories. I thought that was what the little resistors, that are embeded in the keys, did.

Another mystery solved.

 

The resistor in the keys is called VATS. It's also known as the "PASSKEY" system. Operation is fairly simple, The most obvious part is the key. The ignition key as a little "chip" in it. This is a resistor "pellet". There are 15 possible resistances, therefore 15 different types of keys each with a different resistance. This reduces the likelihood of a potential thief from having the correct resistance resistor on hand. Then you have to have a special lock cylinder to "read" the key. Next is the VATS module. It does most of the security work. It is the "brains" of the system. The module is what actually "reads" the resistance, but has to do it via the contacts in the lock cylinder and the related wiring. Think of the module as a Multimeter, and the wires and contacts the Multimeter Leads. The module reads the resistance and determines if the resistance is the correct value before the vehicle will start.