I have a spare fob from a '05 Pontiac Aztek, can I reprogram it to my '97 Coupe? Should I take out the battery to zero it out or anything?

And yes, I did trade the Aztek in on the Vette!
Went from one of the homeliest cars ever built to one of the prettiest.

 

almost positive it won't work. your 97 should be compatible with C5 fobs up to 2000, even a C5 fob from 01+ won't work.

 

he is correct. i bought a 2000 fob and it wont work on the 98 vette i have.....it has the passive feature. i think the 98-97 are unique

 

The 2000 fob WILL work fine on the 97-99. It just won't operate the passive feature. The frequency is still the same. I have a 97 coupe and a 99 coupe. I use 2000 fobs on both. Since I don't like the passive feature and the 2000 remotes are both cheaper and more reliable, that's what I decided to use.

 

Does your 97 have passive lock feature.

 

Yes, both cars have the passive feature. However, my bedroom window is right next to my car. Every time I walk into the bedroom with keys in my pocket, the car starts locking and unlocking. One day of that was enough to have me disable the feature. When the fobs needed to be replaced, it was a no-brainer to buy the cheaper, more reliable, 2000 fobs. Why pay for passive if you dint use it anyway?

 

I've read lots of posts saying the same. I asked Gene about it recently and he said he's also gotten a number of reports of 97-99's that didn't work with the 2000 remote. could have been improper programming procedure, or maybe some are just unlucky. although I think the majority report success with using the 2000 fob on earlier C5's

 

I changed the receiver out to 2001+ and upgraded to 2001+ remotes. Best thing I ever did. Passive almost drove me crazy.

 

Must be either programming or some other malfunction, I've programmed 2000's to a 98 and vice versa. Both worked fine.

 

really? details please!
for some reason I think the 01+ remotes are smaller, might be a nice upgrade.

I really don't mind the passive feature at all. I like it for the high tech nature of the feature although I've found that it doesn't work very well as everyone else has discovered. but I find it odd so many people resort to buying new remotes to eliminate it. when I decided I was done with passive mode, I just flipped the switch and turned it off...done!

 

I don't know that many people are replacing remotes for that reason. However, if you need to replace it anyway....

 

I had nothing but trouble out of mine. Ticked me off because my remote stopped working after about a week. I had never had a car with keyless entry when i got my Vette and I love it. I bought a new one to the tune of $110 from the dealership (before I knew about the deals from vendors here on the forum or elsewhere), and then it quit after about a month. It was not a new battery issue in either remote, they just stopped working.

I did some searching and other research and found it here, but I can't remember where. Just search around a bit for fob upgrade. There is a thread where a guy details what he did, heck I may even have a thread..

The parts were about $150 from Gene Culley (GM Parts House) here on the forum, and I got a receiver and a remote.

Keep in mind that the TPM sensors from the old system don't work with the newer system if I remember correctly. If you have to have those they will have to be 2001+ too I think. Good thing is they are cheaper than the '97-'00 sensors if I remember correctly. I don't have TPM sensors, and never wanted them, so this wasn't an issue to me. I do have to clear the service message across my DIC every tme I start the car, but I can live with that. Some cars it can be programmed out with a tech 2, but my '99 does not have that option.

There are some splicing wires you have to do, the plugs are not the same. If cutting your car's existing harness scares you, then you may not want to do it. I didn't mind though, and the new system has been 100% reliable every since. I do not regret it one bit

If you can't find it, send me a pm and I will look too.

 

I kind of like the passive feature but I could live without it. I turned it off a while ago because I think it might be the cause of the security light coming on after 20 miles or so. It didn't do it all the time so I'm not sure that is the problem. I'll be going to a car stereo shop for an XM add-on, maybe I'll just get a spare fob from them. My other concern was trying to use a Pontiac fob, but with GM's penchant for using the same parts bin I didn't think it was a problem.

I won't damage anything but the non-standard by trying will I? It's worthless now, if it doesn't work it's still worthless.

I'm still confused about one thing, what exactly does the fob have to do with the TPM, all 4 seem to be working correctly.

 

The receiver which is located under the trunk sill behind the carpet along the wall of the driver's side behind the seat (I believe it's the driver's side - can't remember) gets a signal from the TPM sensors. They are basically wireless transmitters (with a sensor). That receiver also gets the signal from your FOB when you press buttons to lock / unlock doors / open hatch.

It then relays the information to the cars computer, which puts that info up on the DIC. That's how they are tied together. Same receiver gets info from TPM sensors and FOB signals.

 

Thanks for the info, I'm one of those that just has to know these things. My head's full of useless crap as a result!

 

c6 Fob .could not work on c5 bro.

 

FCCID ABO0216T on 97-99 and 00 will work on any 97-00. Passive feature only on 97-99.