So my "new to me" 99 didn't come with a key fob, and when i went to the dealer to buy one, @$80, and get it programmed, @$30, (I don't know why someone would want a unprogrammed key fob or why the programming shouldn't be included in the price of the expensive fob) I ran into some difficulties. My rear driver-side tire pressure sensor is non-functioning, and i get the "Service Tire Monitoring System" notification everytime i crank up, which can be ignored by pressing RESET. The dealer comes back and says they can't program the Key fob without fixing the tire pressure sensor. I don't know if they were just trying to get me to spend an extra $150, or if they couldn't figure out to press the RESET button. I wouldn't think that the car's computer would lockout technitions because of a simple sensor error. Was their info correct or am just dealing with some idiots?

 

Many dealers will not "fix" anything related to the RFA (Remote Function Actuator) without being able to ensure the TPMS is working correctly. This is a "liability" issue ... they don't want someone involved in an accident claiming that the dealer messed with the radio system and therefore caused a wreck because a tire sensor was incorrect/unavailable.

In today's world ... I can't say I blame them.

 

But a new wheel sensor, then reprogram all of it including the Fobs. You can do the reprogramming yourself in a couple of minutes with a magnet for the wheel sensors and its easy. The Fobs you can program yourself, also within like 1 minute and save the money for a 2nd Fob...again, its easy to do.

 

Key fobs are sold without programming because it doesn't have to be done by the dealer. You can do it yourself EASILY as it is right in the owner's manual. They'll gladly take your $30 for 30 seconds of work though.
The TPS can also be programmed by you. If you need that one replaced, you can reprogram them after the replacement. You just need a strong magnet (like a neodymium magnet from an old disk drive or available online).

 

I fairly recently had to have my FOB reprogrammed by the dealer when it stopped working and couldn't not be resync'ed by the method described in the manual which had always worked in the past. As I recall, they charged me a helluva lot more than $30 to do it, it was so expensive that I didn't do the second FOB which had also stopped working.

The method described in the manual whereby you hold down two buttons for several seconds, will only work when a programmed FOB has amnesia so to speak, it will not work with a brand new FOB to the best of my knowledge. Otherwise, someone could just buy a new FOB or use any old FOB, come up to your car, and sync up to it. The FOB has to actually be programmed for your specific car. If there's another method for actually programming the FOBs in the manual I'm not aware of it, though I don't profess to be an expert on the subject.

Of course there are certainly people more knowledgable than me about this stuff, so if anyone knows more about the process of programming the FOBs, how much it should cost, and what is involved, please share with us.

 

My new fob responded to the in car programming without any difficulty.

 

Thanks guys. This forum is amazing. Great to be apart of the online Corvette family now.

 

New Fobs can be programmed easily but you have to have your key in the ignition and control over the DIC. This prevents anyone from programming their remote to your car. You can just buy the correct model fob for your car online and then program it. I bought one on the auction site and it works fine. The instructions are on page 2-12 of the owners manual.

 

Mine absolutely would not resync with the key in it per the instructions in the book (which I've had to do a handful of times over the last several years so I'm familiar with the process), after it stopped working and putting new batteries in it last year. Tried it many times with both FOBs in fact, since the second FOB had also stopped working. Took it to the dealer fearing that it had to be on the car's end since both FOBs weren't working and could not be sync'd, and they said it was the FOB and that they needed to be reprogrammed.

They wanted a fortune to do it and because I was convinced it had to be on the car's side since both of them used to work fine and couldn't be resync'd with new batteries, I only let them reprogram one. It worked and I've had no problems since. I still have the second FOB in a drawer along with the new batteries. If what you say is correct, then unless the FOB is physically broken (seems unlikely, it used to work fine and it's rarely been used), it should program as long as it's got a good battery. I'll try it yet again and I hope it works, but I don't think it's going to.

I read elsewhere in the forums that the FOBs commonly go bad after several years and need to be replaced. Although I don't know what would case them to "go bad", it would make sense because mine are about 8 years old. Any truth to this?

 

Yes, its happened to both of mine for my '99 within a couple of months of each other. Re-programming through the DIC and new batteries only worked for a day or two then died again. New fobs programmed exactly the same and are still working.

 

Be aware that there is a difference in "resync" and "reprogram". Both procedures are in the owner's manual. Resync only syncronizes an already programmed fob to the rolling code the car and fob use to help prevent theft. Reprogram is done through the DIC and the key must be on. If you could program a fob to a car by just holding down the lock and unlock from outside the car, anyone with a fob could hold down their buttons and unlock your car. If you don't have a manual, search here. It's been discussed many, many times and explained very thoroughly.
Once the fob stops programming to the car, and provided the batteries are good and making good contact, the fobs should be replaced. If you search, you'll see dozens of threads on 2000 model fobs failing. And of course, they are the most expensive. Make sure you get the fob for your year. 2001-2004 are all the same and are cheaper. 98-99 have the slide passive switch, and 2000 will program to the earlier models, but won't have the passive feature.

 

Whatever is wrong with them, there is a component within the fob itself that dies and nothing seems to fix it. I've contacted Chevrolet but they refuse to tell me who the manufacturer is therefore my only reference is the replacements are assembled in Mexico based upon the wrapping they come in. The small circuit board inside has nothing identifying the manufacturer.

 

moisture ruins your fob. When you open it up to replace the batt. and touch the component/board. these are things that can damage your FOB

 

Read this and make the FOB repair. More than likely all of your old FOBS will work....

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...em-solved.html

And you DO NOT need a dealer to do any re-programming or re-synch. It's all in the owners manual, nothing they can do you cannot.......

And as stated above, just make sure you have the correct FOB for your year vette.....

 

Read your manual or search this forum before throwing your money away. Some fobs can be fixed by soldering a loose component or chip.
Some can't. 2 basic types of fobs exist 1997-2000 and 2001-2004 (although the 2000 fobs don't have the passive feature PITA anyway)
The older fobs won't work with the newer C5s and vice versa.
Do some homework and you will save a bundle of money.
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