Second key fob
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Joined: Jan 2021
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From: Minneapolis, MN
Second key fob
I bought my Z06 used and it came with only one key. I know this has been discussed many times and I did read older threads, but I have a question I'm not sure about- I could buy a fob with a blank key inside online for about $100. But, that wont have a laser cut key for my car inside. Does everybody just do it that way if a key went missing, as opposed to getting one from the dealer? I know the dealer will be much more expensive, but I'm not sure if maybe it's worth it when I sell in 5 years or whenever to have two proper keys for the car.
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I'm pretty sure there are locksmiths around that can cut the key for you cheaper than the dealer. I'd definitely get the fob and have a key made for it.
Elmer
Elmer
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From: St. Louis Metro East IL
These guys will cut you a key from key code or just pictures. I have used them as has at least one other forum member.
Key cut from photo or code
Ron
Key cut from photo or code
Ron
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From: Hartford WI
I bought my Z06 used and it came with only one key. I know this has been discussed many times and I did read older threads, but I have a question I'm not sure about- I could buy a fob with a blank key inside online for about $100. But, that wont have a laser cut key for my car inside. Does everybody just do it that way if a key went missing, as opposed to getting one from the dealer? I know the dealer will be much more expensive, but I'm not sure if maybe it's worth it when I sell in 5 years or whenever to have two proper keys for the car.
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I would get one from online and have a locksmith cut the key to fit.
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Joined: Jan 2021
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From: Minneapolis, MN
IDK about you but I would subtract for that if buying. When one from the MB went sideways (my fault. It fell into the washing machine) I got a new one from MB. On my C7, when one of them went sideways, I got a new one from GM because it was under warranty. It came with the blade key all cut and they wiped the entire key set and reprogrammed both. What's nice is now we have 2 functioning keys that the car can detect and it sets up seat preference. Have you checked how much it is at the dealer before you go buy the fob and pay someone to laser cut it? My key worked perfectly. IDK how well those picture cut ones turn out on the whole.
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From: Hartford WI
You have no recourse even if the car blows up 100 yards from my driveway. OTOH, with a dealer, there is SOME recourse for safety issues. You also pay more. Toss up at best. You could also look at the contract and see if you are able to threaten to return it.
Buy from Carmax and they have a return period which you can threaten to execute? Used car buying comes with it's issues.
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bought 2 here in FS section 130. New keys 15 on Fleabay. Still haven’t had cut yet.
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From: Hartford WI
So basically $250 for dealer vs $200 to buy it and have it cut? Program is optional since you could DIY either path?
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I had a key fob from my C6 that I had programed since I lost one. I drove the car to the repair shop that I do business with occasionally and they programmed it for no charge. Some places don't charge much at all and some cost a small fortune. It pays to call around. Of course you can always program it yourself if you know how to go through the steps and having one working key fob.
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From: Hartford WI
I had a key fob from my C6 that I had programed since I lost one. I drove the car to the repair shop that I do business with occasionally and they programmed it for no charge. Some places don't charge much at all and some cost a small fortune. It pays to call around. Of course you can always program it yourself if you know how to go through the steps and having one working key fob.
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From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
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Hell's fire, the programming is free if you do it yourself. The instructions on here take you step by step through the entire process. We haven't lost a key fob yet that I know of. People might not read and follow the instructions exactly and mumble a bit but in the end when they do everything as written, the FOBs work just fine with memory on the first 2 just as it came from the factory.
Elmer
Elmer
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From: Hartford WI
Hell's fire, the programming is free if you do it yourself. The instructions on here take you step by step through the entire process. We haven't lost a key fob yet that I know of. People might not read and follow the instructions exactly and mumble a bit but in the end when they do everything as written, the FOBs work just fine with memory on the first 2 just as it came from the factory.
Elmer
Elmer
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Don't you have to wipe all keys so you can introduce the old key and the new one so it becomes the "first two"? We added the new key because one of mine was FUBAR but that didn't work for memory functions so they had to wipe everything and start over. Since someone else is paying, I didn't want to argue with them in case there was something wrong with the new key.
If you just want to "add" a FOB(short routine), it'll add the FOB as #3 and it will NOT have any memory functions but it will be a fully functioning FOB except for the memory. You can "add" up to 8 active FOBs but only FOBs 1 & 2 will have memory functions. Fobs 3 - 8 will lock, unlock, start, put the top down, open the trunk, sound the alarm but that is all. If you have 1 FOB#1 and add #3, only #1 will have any memory.
Does that answer your question?
Elmer
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From: Tequesta, FL
I got a fob on ebay including a blank key. I keep it as a programmed third fob, no memory stuff. I went to Ace Hardware. They ordered a blank key, did not care to cut my key due to store policy, and when it came in they milled/cut it as I watched. The machine looked like a tiny vertical milling machine. Worked perfectly. I had this done in 2020 for $10 including their blank.
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From: Hartford WI
You have 1 FOB and want to add a 2nd FOB just as it came from the factory with FULL Memory on both FOBs. You must do the long routine as this will Program the car for FOBs 1 & 2 and both will have full seat, radio and other stuff memory functions. SO FOB 1 will adjust the seat one way and FOB #2 will adjust the seat for your partner. The long program will also stop any old FOBs from working on the car. Like the 1 the dealer pocketed to make you buy a new 2nd FOB.
If you just want to "add" a FOB(short routine), it'll add the FOB as #3 and it will NOT have any memory functions but it will be a fully functioning FOB except for the memory. You can "add" up to 8 active FOBs but only FOBs 1 & 2 will have memory functions. Fobs 3 - 8 will lock, unlock, start, put the top down, open the trunk, sound the alarm but that is all. If you have 1 FOB#1 and add #3, only #1 will have any memory.
Does that answer your question?
Elmer
If you just want to "add" a FOB(short routine), it'll add the FOB as #3 and it will NOT have any memory functions but it will be a fully functioning FOB except for the memory. You can "add" up to 8 active FOBs but only FOBs 1 & 2 will have memory functions. Fobs 3 - 8 will lock, unlock, start, put the top down, open the trunk, sound the alarm but that is all. If you have 1 FOB#1 and add #3, only #1 will have any memory.
Does that answer your question?
Elmer