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I’m visiting my parents as I always do in the summer. Last year my mother’s intent was to sell the car as my dad in the middle stage of altzhimers. So he’s not able to drive. I cleaned up the car and put a deltran battery maintainer on it as I knew the car would possibly sit for a while.

When I parted last summer I gave the key and fobs to my mom and asked her to take the keys to the bank and place them in the lock box until they were ready to sell the car.

I arrived last week for my usual stay. I was shell shocked to see the battery maintainer still attached as my dad goes through these phases of totally undoing stuff. I asked my mom what she did with the keys thinking they were at the bank. Long pause, she gave my dad one of the fobs and the other fob and key are in the black hole of life. I damn near exploded, but kept my composure. I specifically told my mom that if that key gets lost, we are hosed. I should have had the hind sight to make a copy and take them, but thought the game plan was to unload the car. Neither happened.

So the car started right up much to my amazement with the fob my dad had. I didn’t call my mom out in front of my dad. I suspect she knew she had done wrong. Later that evening when my dad went to bed. I confronted mom on the fobs and keys, calmly explaining the ramifications if he had gotten the car going. I don’t think it hit home at all.

My question is; now that the key is no where to be found, what are my options? The fob can be programmed. The Vette is a 2007. There is no key in the fob as like the newer versions. Dad is the original owner. Would the dealer have the key code, or this this pretty much a loosing battle? I know I can buy a whole new lock and key, but I don’t want to sink any more money into this. Mom is already fearing it’s just more money. My fear is coming back to a dead battery and then I’m Superhosed.

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From: Ventura County, Calif

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Would they still have that for a 2007? Also they have moved 2500 miles from where they bought the car. We are now in no mans land. The dealer here sells everything under one roof. I’ve not asked the question to them. I also may have to drag my dad down so they can verify it’s him and not some scam? I have the registration and his ID. So that’s not a problem. Just if they can do it and getting him in the car.

Thanks

Well that ended badly. Went to the glove box and there is nothing in it. Mom doesn’t know where the registration is. Ugh...

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From: Ventura County, Calif

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I’ll try tomorrow. They are closed. The sidewalks have rolled up here. Mom is with my sister tomorrow. I’m sure I’ll be under the proverbial bus from getting torqued up. Stay tuned.

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From: Plantation Florida USAF(Retired) 1966-1990

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From: West coast CA

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I get it. My mom doesn’t.

My mom is 10 years younger than dad, and should know better? I explained to her the ramifications when I handed her the keys. He has her Fob too. I just got off the phone with my sister. She lives in the same town. I asked her if she knew that dad had the fobs. Yep. She didn’t see it as a problem. When I explained to her that they could loose everything if there was a mishap. Her reply was they have insurance! My reply; does that replace someone’s life too? Crickets!

I’ve offered to take the car and sell it or even buy it. Like I need another one! Mom says dad is not ready to sell it. She hates it and can’t get in and out, and he can’t even drive it. My sister is living on another planet. I’m beyond words!

I’ll call the dealer tomorrow and see what they say.

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From: St Louis Area IL

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The rationale on taking them to the bank was so they wouldn’t get lost. As in like now. In a safe place? Yes, I should have made a copy or did it myself. It’s not really my problem. But it will be when the time comes. I’ll get the dramatic phone call on how the car won’t start and why the keys are missing from my DA sister. As stated in the original post my dad has Alzheimer’s. Some days he’s with the program others not. My mom is in denial over the deal. Mostly on everything. As a care giver you get sucked into it like it or not. My sister is in charge of their finances. They set that up. I don’t need their money or cars. I guess I could declare them unfit and control everything? My opisition would be my sister. I’m just trying to guide them through this so they are financially sound so when it’s time for the memory loss facility and there is money to pay for it. If I was a betting man my sister has alternative ideas on everything. The idea of selling the car now vs. later is it’s worth more now than later. So the more they wait the less money in the bank. The car just sits unused. When I say unused I mean just that. The last time it was driven was last year when I was home. So that’s a year of depreciation, insurance, taxes, registration and misc down the crapper of life. Also if I did make the key(s), my mother would just hand them over to him again. Or my DA sister would. Here dad, here are the keys, go in the other room and play with them. I swear she does stuff just to throw a wrench into it. Now getting back to the car. How could you sell it with a dead battery, unable to gain access through the rear hatch? What do you suppose the buyer would say or offer? I’m thinking it’s worth about 20K? Now throw in the dead battery and non entry part. Hum....

Perhaps the the safest route is F-IT? Let them deal with it. When my sister calls ranting the car only brought 5K, I can simply say; well you didn’t care then, why do I care now? Maybe a living will would have been better?

I’ll try the dealer tomorrow and see what they say. The registration is missing too. Just another layer of stupidity thrown in for good measure.

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From: West coast CA

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Update; 7/18

I called the local dealer. About as helpful as a hemerriod. I kind of knew that was going to happen. They didnt know if GM could provide that as its 11 years old. Records weren’t that great back then. They suggested I call the selling dealer to see if they could pull hard copies. I asked if they could just call up the VIN and look. They weren’t interested. Just from my own GM experience with mine this seems to be brand wide issue. If I wanted work done, then I would have their attention.

I called the selling dealer. Who has since been bought by another mega dealer. They said records for that old were in a warehouse, but would try and see what they could do. They called me back to say they had installed external battery terminals for my dad some time ago from the service records. For me to look in the grill and I should see them. This would provide a gateway to get to the battery should the battery die or if my dad removed the battery tender. Sure enough the terminals are present. WTF, right?

I asked if they could get into the VIN and get the key codes. He was nice and said that I would need his registration and an ID as I could be anyone calling and fishing. Again he said not all records were that detailed. All I wanted to know is if the the field was in fact populated. He went further to say if I was able to gain access to those terminals that should be sufficient to get what I needed done. Conversation finished. I could tell he had other things to get done just from his deminor on the phone.

OK, then! Lesson learned.









Sure enough they were there.

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From: T-Town WA

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Title is at the bank in a lock box. That’s confirmed. We did find the registration yesterday as I went through the glove box and was horrified to see nothing in the box.

Apparantly last February when it came time for the renewal something happened. I didn’t press the envelope as mom is already on the edge. I suspect they paid for it and it got lost. There are piles amoung piles of mail all over the house. All part of Alzheimer’s.

I asked ber her if she knew where it was I we had taken the car out several times. . It was not in the car nor the insurance card. She went into the office and got it and said this caused a **** storm in February. Didn’t ask. I suspect the DA sister played into that. Dead tags, now it’s not drivable. I ha e no wheels to use while home. Why she’s so disconnected on this is the big mystery!

Yes, 100% agree there is nothing I can do about the DA Sister controlling their finances. So I have to just bite my tongue and girt my teeth. I could undo it but that costs a **** load of money and the drama that would come with it. This is all while I’m watching my dad write checks to people begging for money through the mail. Sad...

Yes, I’ll just leave the car hooked up to the tender and hope for the best when I leave. I was shocked it was still attached when I came home this time.

No mention of selling the car. I guess it will happen in do time. Maybe when my DA sister conseeds that there is no money left?

Thanks for the help. That terminal thing sure caught me off my guard. I did follow the leads. They go up to a ground on the body and to the fuse box. I think it’s more of a short term solution than long term for a just in case.

Ill have to see what my dealer has on file for my VIN. Mine is in the fob so I know where it is at all times. My Lexus and Mercedes are keyless as well. The Mercedes uses two batteries. One tradition size and a power sport battery for backup? Over engineered for sure! The Lexus battery died last week, but was able to still gain entry using the fob. The Vette is a unique animal for sure.

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From: T-Town WA

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From: West coast CA

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That’s an idea too. The only issue with that is someone would have to have a few brain cells working to pull off putting the relay back in.

If my mother had simply placed the keys in the safe deposit box like I asked her to do this would not be in a forum. Like all things the intention was good but it didn’t pan out that way. So I’ve had the keys all week on me. My dad has not asked one time for the keys or where are they. Makes me think my DA sister was somehow involved. My dad is OTL. It’s a 2 year old in an 82 year old body.

I’ll follow up up with counsel when I get home.

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From: St Louis Area IL