Hey fellers,

For starters I’ve poured over the forums for quite some time but can’t seem to figure out my issue

So I bought my 08 z06 from a guy who had 1 fob w/ key and just a key that slides into a fob (said it broke but he kept the key)

I, the genius I am, never got another fob and managed to lose my only one. I still have the key though. The key will pop the trunk so I know it’s cut right. I went to the dealer, bought 2 new fobs and 1 key. Went back to the car ready to reprogram. But when I try to twist the key 5 times nothing happens on the DIC.

Glovebox open, drivers window was down from the last time I drove it, car is in reverse. No action. I’ve tried it with the hatch all the way open, hatch just unlatched, drivers door open/shut, cleaned the key with wd40 and tried twisting what feels like a thousand times.

I pulled out the liner to get a better look at what was going on, the cable is pulling the latch correctly (of course, it pops the trunk) and I also tried manually pushing it from the inside in case it wasn’t moving enough. Nothing happened, but I DID notice this random 2 prong female pigtail just laying here, with no male pigtail anywhere in the remote area. Thinking this might be my issue but have no idea what it’s supposed to hook up to. Pic attached

So my questions-
1. what is that pigtail
2. Is there anything else I should look at in the trunk area? The lights come on when popped so I know the sensor must be seeing it open.
3. I read that the car needed to be in reverse. Is it possible the reverse lamp switch is broken (never really checked my reverse lights before and now I can’t without a working fob) and it’s not “recognizing” it to start the reprogram process?
4. Does the key itsself talk to anything or is it married to a fob? Maybe a cheap recut key that might open the trunk but not do anything else or because there’s no fob it won’t do anything?
5. Is getting a key cut from the dealer a good choice? They said I can bring in my old one and it will save me money rather than paying to look up my key code but if the old key is the issue I don’t wanna waste time, but if it doesn’t matter I don’t wanna waste money.
5. Anything else to double check and verify?

Thanks in advance, I really don’t want to have to tow my car to the dealer and bend over the barrel for them.

 

There is a max number of fobs (4 ?) that you can have programmed to the car. You may need to have someone with a Tech II (or equivalent) to erase the stored fobs so new ones can be programmed.

 

I thought about that too but after some research that would display something like “maximum number of fobs learned”, my display is just dead. I appreciate it though!

 

Well I ended up networking a Tech II device, key in trunk still wont work though. Took me a couple tries to get both new fobs programmed but I now have 2 keys again!

 

Good deal.
If the mechanical trunk lock is not working try spraying the key and cylinder with penetrating oil, they are known for getting "stuck" due to grime buildup.

 

My understanding is that you need a ( working fob in car) to use key in trunk for programing.

 

If I'm just changing batteries in one of the fobs (#1) will i need to re program it?
#2 fob works fine. I have the trunk key too..
thanks

 

Nope, just replace the battery and you will be fine.