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My brother passed away a month ago, and I’ve been handling the sale of his 2004 Z06 Corvette. Unfortunately, someone tried to break into it and damaged the only keyhole on the driver’s side (there isn’t one on the trunk). The battery had also died since the car hadn’t been driven in a while.
With the help of my brother’s friend, we got into the car through the window, charged the battery, and got it running again. The problem now is that the key fob isn’t working—even after replacing the battery. I tried reprogramming it using the steps from the manual and this video:
— but the “hold Lock + Unlock” step never shows up.
The big issue is, if I lock the car, I have no way of getting back in. So I’m having to leave it unlocked on the street, which isn’t ideal. If anyone has experience with this or can help me troubleshoot, I’d be super grateful. 🙏 This is what supposed to show up and does not. This is at the end of the programming in the video, After pressing reset.
Last edited by CorvetteGirly23; Aug 4, 2025 at 01:39 PM.
My brother passed away a month ago, and I’ve been handling the sale of his 2004 Z06 Corvette. Unfortunately, someone tried to break into it and damaged the only keyhole on the driver’s side (there isn’t one on the trunk). The battery had also died since the car hadn’t been driven in a while.
With the help of my brother’s friend, we got into the car through the window, charged the battery, and got it running again. The problem now is that the key fob isn’t working—even after replacing the battery. I tried reprogramming it using the steps from the manual and this video: https://youtu.be/h8PkqFihhLY?si=-Zs-XXsO8raSran_ — but the “hold Lock + Unlock” step never shows up.
The big issue is, if I lock the car, I have no way of getting back in. So I’m having to leave it unlocked on the street, which isn’t ideal. If anyone has experience with this or can help me troubleshoot, I’d be super grateful. 🙏
The obvious is to make sure you have a new battery in the FOB. If you have used that FOB with the car before, you need only stand next to the car, and hold the "lock" and "unlock" buttons at the same time until the horn sounds.
My brother passed away a month ago, and I’ve been handling the sale of his 2004 Z06 Corvette. Unfortunately, someone tried to break into it and damaged the only keyhole on the driver’s side
If the keyhole in the driver's door can still be turned try putting the key in and turning it twice towards the front of the car. That should unlock the passenger's door. A third time should pop the trunk.
Sorry for the loss of your brother.
Maybe you want to replace the door handle and lock assembly if it's damaged. Probably can find something on ebay. Maybe you'd have a different key for door than ignition, but that's not too big of a deal if you are selling it. What's your location? Someone can probably recommend a shop in your area to fix this.
lucky131969 pretty long. Unfortunately I don’t think that is issue. The issue is that the car is not even displaying the right code allowing for the key fobs to be programmed. The question is why is that happening and what is the remedy.. because I could buy new fobs, but if the programming is not working, then no fobs will work.
To be clear, the "FOB TRAINING" does appear but it will go no further? Here are the instructions from a 2000 service manual.
The attached document appears to be from a 2004 supplement but the programming process looks to be the same. If you have access to a scan tool there are troubleshooting methods one can try.
lucky131969 pretty long. Unfortunately I don’t think that is issue. The issue is that the car is not even displaying the right code allowing for the key fobs to be programmed. The question is why is that happening and what is the remedy.. because I could buy new fobs, but if the programming is not working, then no fobs will work.
I understand. The FOB can be synched without using the programming mode through the DIC. Fully charged battery. No key in the ignition, stand outside the car and try.
[QUOTE=Dads2kconvertible;1608996016]To be clear, the "FOB TRAINING" does appear but it will go no further? Here are the instructions from a 2000 service manual.
The attached document appears to be from a 2004 supplement but the programming process looks to be the same. If you have access to a scan tool there are troubleshooting methods one can try. The message HOLD LK + UNLK 1ST FOB doesn’t display, so that seems to be the issue. But I don’t know how to remedy that. Perhaps a scanner will work but now I have to figure out how to drink one of those! 😅 ( Ty for pic! )
To be clear, the "FOB TRAINING" does appear but it will go no further?
Originally Posted by CorvetteGirly23
The message HOLD LK + UNLK 1ST FOB doesn’t display, so that seems to be the issue.
While FOB TRAINING is on the screen what happens when you press the reset button located at the bottom of that column of switches on the right side of the dash, under the E/M button?
While FOB TRAINING is on the screen what happens when you press the reset button located at the bottom of that column of switches on the right side of the dash, under the E/M button?
When RESET is pressed it stays on FOB TRAINING. And I know I’m doing it correctly because I had my brother’s friend. Take a look at it just to make sure. It’s just that last message that’s supposed to appear doesn’t. So I’m guessing that’s why it won’t program.
( I also added a photo in the original post. Of what should be appearing after the reset is pressed .)
When RESET is pressed it stays on FOB TRAINING. And I know I’m doing it correctly because I had my brother’s friend. Take a look at it just to make sure. It’s just that last message that’s supposed to appear doesn’t. So I’m guessing that’s why it won’t program.
( I also added a photo in the original post. Of what should be appearing after the reset is pressed .)
So I'll say this one more time, and I'm out.
You do not need to enter the programming mode through the DIC for a previously used FOB. You only need stand next to the car, no key in the ignition and hold lock and unlock buttons down until the horn sounds(provided the horn is not turned off in the DIC.....consult your owners manual) This may take some time, so be patient.
Key Fob help!
