Programming key fob... With a twist

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Apr 26, 2025 | 11:55 AM

Canadian_vette

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Heel & Toe

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Programming key fob... With a twist

So last fall I bought a 05 C6. Only had one key and fob.

Purchased a new fob and went to do the programming...... Problem is... There's no key cylinder above the license plate😡

I guess 1st question, can you program a new fob with out using the key?

2nd. Where would be the best place to get the cylinder?

Apr 26, 2025 | 12:10 PM

ClothSeats

Melting Slicks

Joined: Apr 2019

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From: Northern Wisconsin

There IS a key cylinder above the license plate. It's hard to spot. Get your eyes right under there and use a trouble light. Look closely. You will find it.

Apr 26, 2025 | 12:46 PM

PMPerformance

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From: Ulta Vista, AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClothSeats

There IS a key cylinder above the license plate. It's hard to spot. Get your eyes right under there and use a trouble light. Look closely. You will find it.

Unless someone prior removed it.

OP: GM dealers can program it I believe without the key.

Apr 26, 2025 | 01:23 PM

Canadian_vette

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Heel & Toe

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ClothSeats

There IS a key cylinder above the license plate. It's hard to spot. Get your eyes right under there and use a trouble light. Look closely. You will find it.

There is NOT a key cylinder there... It has been removed. That is why I asked where to get one.

Apr 26, 2025 | 01:25 PM

Canadian_vette

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Heel & Toe

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Quote:

Originally Posted by PMPerformance

Unless someone prior removed it.

OP: GM dealers can program it I believe without the key.

Thanks. I will check the local dealer. I was trying to avoid them.

Apr 26, 2025 | 02:22 PM

PMPerformance

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From: Ulta Vista, AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canadian_vette

Thanks. I will check the local dealer. I was trying to avoid them.

Did you hit me up on my key fob programming video by chance? I feel like someone recently had this same issue and asked for my feedback.
The dealer is not the only option (IE: If you have a buddy with the hardware/software the dealer uses).

Apr 26, 2025 | 04:05 PM

electric_yogurt

Pro

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 608

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From: Calgary AB

Judging by your name, I'm guessing you're in Canada - so if it's an actual Canadian car (export model) and not a US one that just ended up here, programming a new FOB has to be done with a Tech-2. Only with the domestic US cars (non-export) can you do the short or long self-programming methods extensively outlined in this forum. Actually, the long method may work for a Canadian car, but I don't think it does.

C5_Diag or FatsWaller, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

* US domestic cars, the speedo goes up to 200 (for MPH), with the Canadian (export) cars the speedo goes up to 300 (for KPH)

Apr 26, 2025 | 04:30 PM

FatsWaller

Safety Car

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From: Etobicoke (Toronto) Ontario

If it’s a non-export car like the one I purchased, then you can still program the fob using the bent paper clip method. All that turning the key fully does is complete a circuit back to the BCM, and you can do that by inserting two paper clips into the connector and touching them together 5 times within 5 seconds. See this post for reference https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1602874270

I have to stress that the above will not work if it’s an export car that was initially delivered to a Canadian dealership.

And to add, if you can find a cylinder, then a locksmith should be able to re-pin it to match the key that you have.

Last edited by FatsWaller; Apr 26, 2025 at 04:38 PM.