Have a hard time programming your fob? Possible fix!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,486
Likes: 1,659
From: Las Vegas NV
Have a hard time programming your fob? Possible fix!
Have a hard time programming your fob? Possible fix!
I had an impossible time getting my car into fob learning mode on my 2006 coupe. I could never get the "READY FOR FOB #x" message to appear on the DIC.
I searched the CF archives, and tried all the tricks... car off, making sure it was in reverse, keeping an already-programmed fob in the car during the programming, turning the key to full stop in the lock, etc. Nothing worked. After dozens of tries, I could *never* get the READY FOR FOB X message to appear... the DIC just remained dark/blank. I was totally frustrated, both with the non-working procedure, and with the thought of wasting a bunch of time at the dealer for what should be a trivial task.
Well, just by chance, I stumbled upon a new step that allows me to get into fob learning mode EVERY TIME. It works on my car, so I wanted to share it here on CF, in case it might help someone else.
Here's how I did it:
1) With an already-programmed fob in your pocket, start the car, put in reverse (M6), shut it down.
Here's the new steps:
2) After shutdown, _quickly_ get out and get to the back of the car.
3) Insert the key in the lock cylinder, open the hatch and then turn 5 times BEFORE THE LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GO OUT. This is the crucial part. On my car, the instrument panel lights go out about 15 seconds after I shut down. If I waited until they went out, I could *never* get into "fob learning mode". If I turned the key 5 times while the instrument panel lights were still on, I can get in to fob learn mode *every time*.
4) Follow the rest of the instructions in the owner's manual as directed to finish programming the fob (insert new fob into glove box slot, wait for the beep, press the ACC on the engine start switch, etc.).
Maybe its just a quirk of my car, but I know a lot of people had the same problem (never getting the 'ready for fob #x' message on the DIC). Maybe this will help.
Cheers,
Kent
I had an impossible time getting my car into fob learning mode on my 2006 coupe. I could never get the "READY FOR FOB #x" message to appear on the DIC.
I searched the CF archives, and tried all the tricks... car off, making sure it was in reverse, keeping an already-programmed fob in the car during the programming, turning the key to full stop in the lock, etc. Nothing worked. After dozens of tries, I could *never* get the READY FOR FOB X message to appear... the DIC just remained dark/blank. I was totally frustrated, both with the non-working procedure, and with the thought of wasting a bunch of time at the dealer for what should be a trivial task.
Well, just by chance, I stumbled upon a new step that allows me to get into fob learning mode EVERY TIME. It works on my car, so I wanted to share it here on CF, in case it might help someone else.
Here's how I did it:
1) With an already-programmed fob in your pocket, start the car, put in reverse (M6), shut it down.
Here's the new steps:
2) After shutdown, _quickly_ get out and get to the back of the car.
3) Insert the key in the lock cylinder, open the hatch and then turn 5 times BEFORE THE LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GO OUT. This is the crucial part. On my car, the instrument panel lights go out about 15 seconds after I shut down. If I waited until they went out, I could *never* get into "fob learning mode". If I turned the key 5 times while the instrument panel lights were still on, I can get in to fob learn mode *every time*.
4) Follow the rest of the instructions in the owner's manual as directed to finish programming the fob (insert new fob into glove box slot, wait for the beep, press the ACC on the engine start switch, etc.).
Maybe its just a quirk of my car, but I know a lot of people had the same problem (never getting the 'ready for fob #x' message on the DIC). Maybe this will help.
Cheers,
Kent
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Northville Michigan
Also havgin a hard time programming fob but here is what I found on my C6.
Have a hard time programming your fob? Possible fix!
I had an impossible time getting my car into fob learning mode on my 2006 coupe. I could never get the "READY FOR FOB #x" message to appear on the DIC.
I searched the CF archives, and tried all the tricks... car off, making sure it was in reverse, keeping an already-programmed fob in the car during the programming, turning the key to full stop in the lock, etc. Nothing worked. After dozens of tries, I could *never* get the READY FOR FOB X message to appear... the DIC just remained dark/blank. I was totally frustrated, both with the non-working procedure, and with the thought of wasting a bunch of time at the dealer for what should be a trivial task.
Well, just by chance, I stumbled upon a new step that allows me to get into fob learning mode EVERY TIME. It works on my car, so I wanted to share it here on CF, in case it might help someone else.
Here's how I did it:
1) With an already-programmed fob in your pocket, start the car, put in reverse (M6), shut it down.
Here's the new steps:
2) After shutdown, _quickly_ get out and get to the back of the car.
3) Insert the key in the lock cylinder, open the hatch and then turn 5 times BEFORE THE LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GO OUT. This is the crucial part. On my car, the instrument panel lights go out about 15 seconds after I shut down. If I waited until they went out, I could *never* get into "fob learning mode". If I turned the key 5 times while the instrument panel lights were still on, I can get in to fob learn mode *every time*.
4) Follow the rest of the instructions in the owner's manual as directed to finish programming the fob (insert new fob into glove box slot, wait for the beep, press the ACC on the engine start switch, etc.).
Maybe its just a quirk of my car, but I know a lot of people had the same problem (never getting the 'ready for fob #x' message on the DIC). Maybe this will help.
Cheers,
Kent
I had an impossible time getting my car into fob learning mode on my 2006 coupe. I could never get the "READY FOR FOB #x" message to appear on the DIC.
I searched the CF archives, and tried all the tricks... car off, making sure it was in reverse, keeping an already-programmed fob in the car during the programming, turning the key to full stop in the lock, etc. Nothing worked. After dozens of tries, I could *never* get the READY FOR FOB X message to appear... the DIC just remained dark/blank. I was totally frustrated, both with the non-working procedure, and with the thought of wasting a bunch of time at the dealer for what should be a trivial task.
Well, just by chance, I stumbled upon a new step that allows me to get into fob learning mode EVERY TIME. It works on my car, so I wanted to share it here on CF, in case it might help someone else.
Here's how I did it:
1) With an already-programmed fob in your pocket, start the car, put in reverse (M6), shut it down.
Here's the new steps:
2) After shutdown, _quickly_ get out and get to the back of the car.
3) Insert the key in the lock cylinder, open the hatch and then turn 5 times BEFORE THE LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GO OUT. This is the crucial part. On my car, the instrument panel lights go out about 15 seconds after I shut down. If I waited until they went out, I could *never* get into "fob learning mode". If I turned the key 5 times while the instrument panel lights were still on, I can get in to fob learn mode *every time*.
4) Follow the rest of the instructions in the owner's manual as directed to finish programming the fob (insert new fob into glove box slot, wait for the beep, press the ACC on the engine start switch, etc.).
Maybe its just a quirk of my car, but I know a lot of people had the same problem (never getting the 'ready for fob #x' message on the DIC). Maybe this will help.
Cheers,
Kent
Well…. The switch was dirty or out of adjustment. I used my finger to move the lever in place of the cable and … whala the console said ready for key fob #3. I placed the new fob in the glove box and it programmed itself.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Northville Michigan
I pulled the inside trunk liner to access the trunk solenoid and mechanism and saw that when the key is twisted in the slot it pulls a cable that releases the trunk AND also activates a switch that sends a signal to the DIC (Data Information Console).
Well…. The switch was dirty or out of adjustment. I used my finger to move the lever in place of the cable and … whala the console said ready for key fob #3. I placed the new fob in the glove box and it programmed itself.
Well…. The switch was dirty or out of adjustment. I used my finger to move the lever in place of the cable and … whala the console said ready for key fob #3. I placed the new fob in the glove box and it programmed itself.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Northville Michigan
Also having a hard time programming fob but here is what I found on my C6.
Have a hard time programming your fob? Possible fix!
I had an impossible time getting my car into fob learning mode on my 2006 coupe. I could never get the "READY FOR FOB #x" message to appear on the DIC.
I searched the CF archives, and tried all the tricks... car off, making sure it was in reverse, keeping an already-programmed fob in the car during the programming, turning the key to full stop in the lock, etc. Nothing worked. After dozens of tries, I could *never* get the READY FOR FOB X message to appear... the DIC just remained dark/blank. I was totally frustrated, both with the non-working procedure, and with the thought of wasting a bunch of time at the dealer for what should be a trivial task.
Well, just by chance, I stumbled upon a new step that allows me to get into fob learning mode EVERY TIME. It works on my car, so I wanted to share it here on CF, in case it might help someone else.
Here's how I did it:
1) With an already-programmed fob in your pocket, start the car, put in reverse (M6), shut it down.
Here's the new steps:
2) After shutdown, _quickly_ get out and get to the back of the car.
3) Insert the key in the lock cylinder, open the hatch and then turn 5 times BEFORE THE LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GO OUT. This is the crucial part. On my car, the instrument panel lights go out about 15 seconds after I shut down. If I waited until they went out, I could *never* get into "fob learning mode". If I turned the key 5 times while the instrument panel lights were still on, I can get in to fob learn mode *every time*.
4) Follow the rest of the instructions in the owner's manual as directed to finish programming the fob (insert new fob into glove box slot, wait for the beep, press the ACC on the engine start switch, etc.).
Maybe its just a quirk of my car, but I know a lot of people had the same problem (never getting the 'ready for fob #x' message on the DIC). Maybe this will help.
Cheers,
Kent
I had an impossible time getting my car into fob learning mode on my 2006 coupe. I could never get the "READY FOR FOB #x" message to appear on the DIC.
I searched the CF archives, and tried all the tricks... car off, making sure it was in reverse, keeping an already-programmed fob in the car during the programming, turning the key to full stop in the lock, etc. Nothing worked. After dozens of tries, I could *never* get the READY FOR FOB X message to appear... the DIC just remained dark/blank. I was totally frustrated, both with the non-working procedure, and with the thought of wasting a bunch of time at the dealer for what should be a trivial task.
Well, just by chance, I stumbled upon a new step that allows me to get into fob learning mode EVERY TIME. It works on my car, so I wanted to share it here on CF, in case it might help someone else.
Here's how I did it:
1) With an already-programmed fob in your pocket, start the car, put in reverse (M6), shut it down.
Here's the new steps:
2) After shutdown, _quickly_ get out and get to the back of the car.
3) Insert the key in the lock cylinder, open the hatch and then turn 5 times BEFORE THE LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GO OUT. This is the crucial part. On my car, the instrument panel lights go out about 15 seconds after I shut down. If I waited until they went out, I could *never* get into "fob learning mode". If I turned the key 5 times while the instrument panel lights were still on, I can get in to fob learn mode *every time*.
4) Follow the rest of the instructions in the owner's manual as directed to finish programming the fob (insert new fob into glove box slot, wait for the beep, press the ACC on the engine start switch, etc.).
Maybe its just a quirk of my car, but I know a lot of people had the same problem (never getting the 'ready for fob #x' message on the DIC). Maybe this will help.
Cheers,
Kent
Well…. The switch was dirty or out of adjustment. I used my finger to move the lever in place of the cable and … whala the console said ready for key fob #3. I placed the new fob in the glove box and it programmed itself.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 741
Likes: 8
From: Netherlands
Fred
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Daytona Beach FL
I pulled the inside trunk liner to access the trunk solenoid and mechanism and saw that when the key is twisted in the slot it pulls a cable that releases the trunk AND also activates a switch that sends a signal to the DIC (Data Information Console).
Well…. The switch was dirty or out of adjustment. I used my finger to move the lever in place of the cable and … whala the console said ready for key fob #3. I placed the new fob in the glove box and it programmed itself.
Well…. The switch was dirty or out of adjustment. I used my finger to move the lever in place of the cable and … whala the console said ready for key fob #3. I placed the new fob in the glove box and it programmed itself.
Although you mention "trunk" several times, this can be confusing. I understand what you're talking about, but there's a distinct difference between a C6 with a trunk and one with a hatch.
The convertible Vettes have a trunk, and the coupes have a hatch.
The vert does not have the auto pull down latch and has a different key lock cylinder than the coupe with the pull down latch.
You're absolutely correct that the coupe with the auto pull down latch has a switch inside the latch that sends the signals to the BCM when programming a fob - and you can manually move the lever inside the latch to send the fob programming signal to the BCM.
However, a vert with a trunk has a different key lock cylinder that has wires coming directly off the key lock cylinder above the license plate. Those wires are to send the signal during fob programming - so moving the lever inside the latch won't work.
In the picture above the lock/cable on top with the wires is for a vert trunk manual latch.
The lock cable on the bottom is for a coupe with the auto pull down latch for the hatch lid.
BTW, the early C6 Z06 (up through about 2008) had a manual latch to save weight. If you have an early Z06 with the manual latch, it has the same wires coming off the key lock cylinder as the vert.
So....the only reason I'm trying to make a clear distinction between a coupe hatch and a vert trunk is because you can't manually activate the latch lever inside the latch to program a fob on a vert (or early Z06 with the manual latch).
The vert (or early Z06) requires the key to be turned in the key lock cylinder above the license plate because the signal is sent directly from key lock cylinder through those wires.
Bob
