1997 Key fob replacement
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 43
Likes: 3
From: Cape Coral, Florida
1997 Key fob replacement
1997 Corvette
The Unlock pad / button on my key fob has fallen out of the key fob. I've looked on several sites and the original looking key fobs are very expensive and do not have the passive switch. I've gotten past the price but I'm wondering about the lack of a passive switch. With these replacement fobs does the passive system stay activated or is it not active? I've always set it to off because it drove me crazy in the garage.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts and comments,
Charlie
The Unlock pad / button on my key fob has fallen out of the key fob. I've looked on several sites and the original looking key fobs are very expensive and do not have the passive switch. I've gotten past the price but I'm wondering about the lack of a passive switch. With these replacement fobs does the passive system stay activated or is it not active? I've always set it to off because it drove me crazy in the garage.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts and comments,
Charlie
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,602
Likes: 3,322
From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
Only the earlier C5s have the passive entry. Perhaps you are looking at a fob for a newer C5 which does not have the passive entry function. I would recommend trying to find a used key fob on ebay, and then reprogramming it.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 43
Likes: 3
From: Cape Coral, Florida
I have found a couple used fobs with the passive switch but there pushing $300.00. I have found a "new" fob on Amazon without the passive switch which I may be able to remove the button pad and put it in my existing fob. BUT I'm still wondering if I use a replacement fob without the passive switch will the passive system be activated or not.
Thanks for your response
Thanks for your response
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,308
Likes: 3,455
From: Somewhere, Florida
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
I am not 100% sure, but I don't think you will be able to program the newer style fob to your car. You'd only be able to steal the button pad, in which case - just buy a shell and take the button pad. They are about $7 on eBay.
Or you can convert the car to the newer style system entirely and not worry about the pricy fobs (or pricy TPMS)
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-and-fobs.html
Or you can convert the car to the newer style system entirely and not worry about the pricy fobs (or pricy TPMS)
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-and-fobs.html
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 471
From: S.E. Pennsylvania
Stingroo has a good point. You can update the whole system by replacing the receiver, the tire monitors, and the remote key fobs all at once. I bought a receiver from a wrecked 2003 2 years ago for $35.00, two new key fobs for $10.00 on Ebay, and four new tire monitors for $160.00. All working correctly and all now updated from 1998 to 2003... GOOD LUCK! 
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 43
Likes: 3
From: Cape Coral, Florida
When I said "new" I didn't mean a newer technology (2001 thru 2004). I meant "new in the box". It's the correct key fob for 1997 thru 2000. I think it's $89.00
If the pad isn't compatible with the original fob I'd just use the new fob. My original question is how will the passive system work without the on / off switch on the fob?
Thanks,
Charlie
If the pad isn't compatible with the original fob I'd just use the new fob. My original question is how will the passive system work without the on / off switch on the fob?
Thanks,
Charlie
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,308
Likes: 3,455
From: Somewhere, Florida
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
From what I can tell, that part number isn't the passive fob, so like I said above, I don't think you will be able to program it. So why spend $89 on that, if you're going to cannibalize the buttons, when you can spend a fraction of it on a knockoff fob to do the same?
That was the point I made above.
That was the point I made above.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,015
Likes: 508
From: Hilton NY
New OEM FOBs for early C5s are non-passive and are replacements for the early C5 passive FOBs which aren't available new. When you see new early C5 FOBs on Amazon listed as OEM it's because a new GM part number replaced the old one so the new OEM FOBs should work the same as the old ones without the passive function.
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 477
Likes: 110
From: Leland NC
TPMS exception
One thing about replacing the receiver and TPMS. I looked everywhere and finally found TPMS247.com. They had the earlier version for $25 each! Chevy dealer had told $225 each I think it was and “warned” me not to go on the internet for junk for my 98.
My $25 ones remain flawless.
My $25 ones remain flawless.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 471
From: S.E. Pennsylvania
One thing about replacing the receiver and TPMS. I looked everywhere and finally found TPMS247.com. They had the earlier version for $25 each! Chevy dealer had told $225 each I think it was and “warned” me not to go on the internet for junk for my 98.
My $25 ones remain flawless.
My $25 ones remain flawless.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 231
Likes: 46
From: San Antonio TX
When I said "new" I didn't mean a newer technology (2001 thru 2004). I meant "new in the box". It's the correct key fob for 1997 thru 2000. I think it's $89.00
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...d-b31d6b1bfbee
If the pad isn't compatible with the original fob I'd just use the new fob. My original question is how will the passive system work without the on / off switch on the fob?
Thanks,
Charlie
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...d-b31d6b1bfbee
If the pad isn't compatible with the original fob I'd just use the new fob. My original question is how will the passive system work without the on / off switch on the fob?
Thanks,
Charlie
To answer your original question, the passive system will not work when you use that FOB.
HTH
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 43
Likes: 3
From: Cape Coral, Florida
Update:
I purchased the key fob from Amazon for $89.00 and it wouldn't communicate with the car so I removed the rubber buttons from the new fob and installed it into the old fob. It's a lot of money to pay for the rubber pad but at the end of the day I have a key fob that works for $89.00 which is what I would have had if the new fob would have worked and I still have a fob with the passive switch.
All is good.
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions,
Charlie
I purchased the key fob from Amazon for $89.00 and it wouldn't communicate with the car so I removed the rubber buttons from the new fob and installed it into the old fob. It's a lot of money to pay for the rubber pad but at the end of the day I have a key fob that works for $89.00 which is what I would have had if the new fob would have worked and I still have a fob with the passive switch.
All is good.
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions,
Charlie