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C6 Comprehensive Fob Programming Instructions

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Old Sep 22, 2025 | 03:08 PM
  #681  
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Well I did everything and got the message maximum number of fobs programmed. Now what?
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Old Sep 22, 2025 | 03:12 PM
  #682  
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Never mind. It worked.
Now if I can get the Bluetooth to pair.
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Old Jan 1, 2026 | 07:53 PM
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Where are you guys getting your replacement fobs? I'm down to 1 original fob and ordered a couple from Amazon. The replacements will lock and unlock the doors and hatch but will not start the car. I get a no fob message with the Amazon remotes. I'm trying to avoid spending $100+ for OEM but will if I have to
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Old Jan 1, 2026 | 08:07 PM
  #684  
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Originally Posted by ta406
Where are you guys getting your replacement fobs? I'm down to 1 original fob and ordered a couple from Amazon. The replacements will lock and unlock the doors and hatch but will not start the car. I get a no fob message with the Amazon remotes. I'm trying to avoid spending $100+ for OEM but will if I have to
FWIW, my 2007 uses the old style remote. Was able to get a new style remote from Amazon to start car, unlock but NOT open trunk.
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Old Jan 3, 2026 | 03:11 PM
  #685  
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I have checked the G Box slot with good programmed FOB get no message in DIC. I have inserted FOB into trunk and turned 5x in 5 sec and get no message on DIC! Any suggestions?
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Old Apr 13, 2026 | 02:43 PM
  #686  
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Default No working fob

Originally Posted by cclive
I have redone the instructions to include a test of the glovebox slot before doing the long procedure so that people don't get into a situation where they erase all the old fobs and then find that the slot doesn't work and they can't add new fobs back to the system. I also would recommend that you attach a battery tender or charger to the car if you have one as a low battery can cause all kinds of crazy behavior from the car. This is especially important when doing the long procedure as it takes 30 minutes. Also, it is a good idea to disable the autolock feature if you have enabled it because it is a pain to have the car lock itself on you while doing this procedure and then have the horn honk when you open the door. Please keep in mind that cars made for export to Canada can only do the short procedure, the long must be done by a dealer. Cars made for export to Europe cannot do either long or short procedure, they must be programmed by a dealer. I believe this is the case for cars destined for the GCC countries also, but would like to hear from an owner there to confirm it.
Since the glovebox slot is something that most C6 owners never have used, they would normally be unaware that it is not working and may have never worked since the car was made. This is unique in the car because almost all the other systems in the car have been used at least once by the owner so as to know if they work. The metal key in the trunk lock would be another area that should be tested by the owner.
The glovebox slot has no electrical plug in it. There is no direct, wired connection to the fob...it is simply a place that holds the fob right next to what is basically an antenna. The end of the fob that holds the keyring must face outwards and the fob buttons must face to the passenger side.
Here are the instructions including the long, short and the test procedure for the slot.



C6 Fob Programming Instructions

Before starting, it is important to make sure that the glovebox slot is working properly. If it is not, and the long procedure is started, then the car will be stripped of its fob programming, but will then not be able to accept new fob programming through the slot. This will leave the car unable to be started. Since most C6 owners have never tested the slot, or had to use it to start the car with a dead fob, they would be unaware if it had never been working properly since the car was new. To make sure that the glovebox slot is working, follow steps 1-6 below. Then in step 7, you may either insert the new, unprogrammed fob into the slot and continue to step 8, or you may insert one of the fobs that is currently programmed to the car into the slot. If the slot is presented with a fob that is ALREADY programmed to the car, the DIC will say “Known Fob”. This shows us that the slot is working correctly by recognizing this fob. Push the bottom half of the start button to end the session if you were just testing the slot for proper operation.


C6 Fob, Short Procedure….use these instructions 1-10 when you have a working fob and just want to add another to the system, or to test the operation of the glovebox slot.

1. Put drivers window down all the way, then turn car off
2. Unlock car and open trunk
3. Glove box open
4. Put working fob on console next to shifter (the one you are currently using to drive the car) IMPORTANT. Also make sure no cellphones are in the car.
5. Put key in trunk keyhole and turn key five times in less than 5 seconds.
6. DIC will now beep and light up and say “Ready for fob 3”.
7. Put new unprogrammed fob in slot by glovebox with buttons facing right (passenger) side and keyring facing outwards.
8. Wait and watch DIC. When it says “Ready for fob 4” it is done. Up to four Fobs may be programmed to the car total.
9. When all Fobs are programmed, push OFF/ACC (bottom half of start button) to turn off DIC.
10. Test all four buttons on fob and then take away all other fobs and check car starting with new fob(s).

Testing the glovebox slot above. Step 6 gets the system into the program mode so that if you then put an unknown fob into the slot in step 7, it will be added to the car. If you put the already working fob into the slot in step 7, the DIC will say "KNOWN FOB" and nothing additional will be programmed. When it says KNOWN FOB, it shows you that the slot is working as it has read the fob and told you that it already has that fob programmed to the car. At this point, just push the OFF part of the start button and all is good, no changes made. If , at step 7, you put a known fob in the slot and the DIC does not say KNOWN FOB, then the slot is not working and you should not do the long procedure.




C6 Fob Long Procedure….use these instructions 11-22 to erase car memory and reprogram all Fobs. Be sure to confirm proper operation of the glovebox slot with the short procedure before using this one. Any lost Fobs that are not reprogrammed with this procedure will no longer work on the car. Lost Fobs that are later found may be added to the car with the short programming procedure. This procedure requires three consecutive ten minute waiting periods, so plan on spending about a half hour to do this, during which the car may not be moved. Remember that the number printed on the Fob only indicates the way it was first programmed at the factory. All Fobs are identical. The order in which they are placed in the glovebox slot determines what number the Fob is.

11. Drivers window down, car off
12. Trunk open
13. Glove box open
14. Make sure NO Fobs are anywhere near the car. IMPORTANT.
15. Put key in trunk keyhole and turn key five times in less than 5 seconds.
16. DIC will now beep and light up and say “Off/Acc to learn” If you decide at this point NOT to do the programming now, push the TOP half of the Start button and the car will return to normal. With step 17, all previous fobs will be erased. To continue with programming:
17. Push bottom half of the Start button. DIC will say to wait 10 minutes and will start counting down the minutes. You may close the trunk and car door while waiting for the ten minute countdowns.
18. After the first 10 minute countdown, DIC will again say “Off/Acc to learn”. Push bottom half of Start button again. DIC will again start counting down the ten minutes.
19. After the second 10 minute countdown, DIC will again say “Off/Acc to learn”. Push bottom half of Start button again. DIC will again start counting down the ten minutes.
20. After this third ten minute period is over, DIC will say “Ready for Fob #1” Regardless of the number on the Fob, the FIRST Fob that is put in the glovebox slot will be recognized as Fob #1. Put the first Fob in the glovebox slot with the buttons facing to the right (passenger) side and the keyring end facing outwards.
21. After 3 or four seconds the DIC will beep and say “Ready for Fob #2”. Put the second Fob in the slot. The car will take a maximum of four fobs. When you have no more Fobs to program, push the bottom half of the Start button to end the programming session.
22. Test all buttons on the fobs to make sure they work, then take all fobs away from the car and, one by one, try using each to start the car.


Please read through the rest of the thread as many people have added their tips and tricks...lots of good info

Added 9/13/2015: If the car CAN be put into the programming mode but the slot FAILS to recognize a fob, it could be that the system antenna that is attached directly behind the slot is either: 1. defective or 2. (More likely)Unplugged from its' wiring harness or 3. (Also more likely) not properly positioned in its' own slot directly behind the glovebox slot. Pulling the glovebox out will allow this to be easily observed. This antenna must be very very close to the fob in the slot in order to program the fob. See this thread for a diagram and pics of a situation where the antenna was not replaced into its' slot after work was done. It caused serious problems and yet was a very simple fix:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...b-only-me.html

Thanks to GhostC6 and Dano523 for some good pictures, diagrams and analysis on the problem.
all sounds good but I don’t currently gave a working fob. New battery in fob but bonding detected. So car is dead. Windows, accessories. Etc
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Old Apr 13, 2026 | 05:32 PM
  #687  
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Originally Posted by dave burnham
all sounds good but I don’t currently gave a working fob. New battery in fob but bonding detected. So car is dead. Windows, accessories. Etc
Pretty difficult to understand that. Did you have a fob that was working, and now it’s not? And you put in a new battery and tried to program it to the car, and it told you the fob was already programmed? Assuming that the above is the case the easiest first thing is to assume that the ‘new’ battery was already dead, as happens often enough. Go get a new Energizer or Duracell lithium ion battery from Walmart or some other big box store where they sell a lot of batteries, so the pack you buy won’t be stale. Don’t buy a crap brand. Check the expiration date on the package just to be sure. Install the new battery. Then see if the fob works. Trying to reprogram it should be your last resort if it was working before.
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Old Apr 13, 2026 | 07:16 PM
  #688  
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Default Fob

Originally Posted by FatsWaller
Pretty difficult to understand that. Did you have a fob that was working, and now it’s not? And you put in a new battery and tried to program it to the car, and it told you the fob was already programmed? Assuming that the above is the case the easiest first thing is to assume that the ‘new’ battery was already dead, as happens often enough. Go get a new Energizer or Duracell lithium ion battery from Walmart or some other big box store where they sell a lot of batteries, so the pack you buy won’t be stale. Don’t buy a crap brand. Check the expiration date on the package just to be sure. Install the new battery. Then see if the fob works. Trying to reprogram it should be your last resort if it was working before.
sorry, my typing was poor. I meant to say that my current fob was somehow wiped clean by a locksmith who attempted to program a new fob id purchased. I was stuck with my mint 2009 Corvette in the driveway with the windows down and no fob detected, so couldn’t even shift it into neutral and push it back in the garage. He said he couldn’t complete the programming because the hazard lights wouldn’t work. Battery in the fob is a brand new Duracell. I followed instructions on line and was finally able to reprogram it myself
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Old Apr 18, 2026 | 10:24 PM
  #689  
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Cars produced for different countries have different requirements and limitations to program fobs and other features. I'm not aware of the limitations or options for cars produced for Europe or other off shore countries but the Canadian cars and US cars are very close to the same except key fob programming and DRL (daytime running lights) The difference in key fob programming was discussed in a few previous posts. If you have purchased a US car and imported it to Canada, the RIV (registrar of imported vehicles) will have you take the car for an inspection to see if it meets the DRL requirement. They usually will use Canadian Tire to do the inspection because they have locations coast to coast but there are exceptions based on location. All they are interested in is the DRL's. Cars produced for the US market have the less troublesome key fob programming requirements and the have the ability to turn off the DRL's if you wish. They default to on when you start the car but you can turn them off. Cars built for the Canadian market have the dealer key fob programming issue and the DRL's can not be turned off. Some times the Canadian tire inspectors don't know or don't care and pass the car. This was the case with my 2010 GS I bought at Corvettes Carlisle. I purchased my Imported 2011 ZR1 from a GM dealer here in Ontario and they didn't miss this and changed the setting in the BCM to meet Transport Canada standards. If you have a Canadian car or a US car that has been changed to meet the Canadian specs and want to have the US car capability to program Fobs, you can use a Tech2 or a VCX Nano and Tech2Win and change it to a USA car in the BCM.

Last edited by GMJim; Apr 20, 2026 at 11:10 AM. Reason: spelling
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Old Apr 19, 2026 | 12:47 AM
  #690  
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Originally Posted by GMJim
Cars produced for different countries have different requirements and limitations to program fobs and other features. I'm not aware of the limitations or options for cars produced for Europe or other off shore countries but the Canadian cars and US cars are very close to the same except key fob programming and DRL (daytime running lights) The difference in key fob programming was discussed in a few previous posts. If you have purchased a US car and imported it to Canada, the RIV (registrar of imported vehicles) will have you take the car for an inspection to see if it meets the DRL requirement. They usually will use Canadian Tire to do the inspection because they have locations coast to coast but there are exceptions based on location. All they are interested in is the DRL's. Cars produced for the US market have the less troublesome key fob programming requirements and the have the ability to turn off the DRL's if you wish. They default to on when you start the car but you can turn them off. Cars built for the Canadian market have the dealer key fob programming issue and the DRL's can not be turned off. Some times the Canadian tire inspectors don't know or don't care and pass the car. This was the case with my 2010 GS I bought at Corvettes Carlisle. I purchased my Imported 2011 ZR1 for a GM dealer here in Ontario and they didn't miss this and changed the setting in the BCM to meet Transport Canada standards. If you have a Canadian car or a US car that has been changed to meet the Canadian specs and want to have the US car capability to program Fobs, you can use a Tech2 or a VCX Nano and Tech2Win and change it to a USA car in the BCM.
i have canadian car, and a vcx nano and tech 2 where can i switch a canadian car to a US one…. i have a aftermarket radio i think that also causes problems with getting into learn mode.. as i cant enter learn mode even with tech 2
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Old Apr 19, 2026 | 06:40 AM
  #691  
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Originally Posted by ta406
Where are you guys getting your replacement fobs? I'm down to 1 original fob and ordered a couple from Amazon. The replacements will lock and unlock the doors and hatch but will not start the car. I get a no fob message with the Amazon remotes. I'm trying to avoid spending $100+ for OEM but will if I have to


I spent 150.00 on Amazon GM Store than used my Tech2 Key FOB much better than my Original range is amazing. I wasn't screwing around with aftermarket crap. It does come with the a Blanks Blade Key.
I bought my car is had 2 FOBs and 1 Blade Key which Blade Part was Goldish Colored, guess it was like a emergency key.

My FOB Number-1 worked like Crap , but my FOB-2 was ok, so bought this and surprisingly it was marked with a 1 (NICE) but any way number dont matter really but used TECH2 to swap OLD FOB1 for New FOB1 not losing my memory settings. Now my old FOB1 is FOB3. GL

Update: User C5 Diag whom is very knowledgeable has a Link for a FOB under 100.00, I would check it out.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-key-fobs.html




Last edited by cadbob; Apr 19, 2026 at 06:52 AM.
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Old Apr 19, 2026 | 08:00 AM
  #692  
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Originally Posted by harry604
i have canadian car, and a vcx nano and tech 2 where can i switch a canadian car to a US one…. i have a aftermarket radio i think that also causes problems with getting into learn mode.. as i cant enter learn mode even with tech 2
Follow these Mag Ride delete instructions from 2:37 and choose USA car then save options. Then exit out unless you want to change more options on the next page..

Last edited by GMJim; Apr 19, 2026 at 11:38 AM.
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Old May 31, 2026 | 09:09 AM
  #693  
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I programmed my existing key fob after I put another battery in it. It will recognize it and says ready for key fob #4, but I can't get it to work. I bought this car last fall and it has not worked yet. The case is a little sketchy and I thought maybe buying a new case will help it. Thoughts?
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Old May 31, 2026 | 12:47 PM
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Originally Posted by FedExGirl1
I programmed my existing key fob after I put another battery in it. It will recognize it and says ready for key fob #4, but I can't get it to work. I bought this car last fall and it has not worked yet. The case is a little sketchy and I thought maybe buying a new case will help it. Thoughts?
Once a key fob is programmed, it doesn’t become un-programmed unless you take deliberate steps to do so. If the fob battery dies or you remove it from the fob, that does not un-program it. Can you start the car if the fob in question is inserted correctly in the glovebox slot? And are you actually stating that your haven’t been able to get you car working since last fall?

Last edited by FatsWaller; May 31, 2026 at 02:37 PM.
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Old May 31, 2026 | 07:48 PM
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Key fob 1 works. Key fob 2 does not. The case is cracked and maybe I thought it was not tight enough. No it will not start the car by me putting it in the glove box, if I did it correctly. But it did re program. I changed the battery and it still said no key fob detected. And it also said that after I put it in the glove box and tried to start it.

I bought the car and drove it 900 miles home last fall. I just want the back up fob to work for emergencies.
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Old Jun 1, 2026 | 07:30 AM
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If you were able to program that fob, it wasn’t programmed to the car in the first place. That’s just how it works. There are 4 system memory slots that will accept the IDs of up to 4 compatible fobs. Two fobs ship with the car from the factory which are programmed into slots 1 & 2. You can use the key twist short procedure to add in fobs 3 & 4, in that order. Sounds to me like you added in the fob that’s now problematic, so it became #3. Fob #2 is simply missing, possibly lost or damaged by a previous owner. And as has been found out numerous times, just because you replaced the fob battery doesn’t mean the battery was good. However, if you were able to program the fob that’s now #3, that pretty much means that you inserted it in the slot correctly and its electronics are good, which means it should allow you to start the car with the fob in the slot. But there’s a completion step when you’ve finished the programming, which is to press the lock and unlock buttons on the fob. Did you do that? And the correct positioning in the slot is key ring out, buttons facing the passenger side.
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