C7 RKE (Key Fob) are they all the same 2014-2018?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 137
Likes: 13
From: FL
C7 RKE (Key Fob) are they all the same 2014-2018?
RKE key fob for the C7, are they all the same for 2014-2018? I'm thinking about buying a third just in case, looking on fleabay, and many of them are listed as 2014-2016 for example.
Are there any gotcha to buying and DIY programming a used rke key fob?
Can I program a 2nd rke if I only have 1 functioning rke?
Thanks.
Are there any gotcha to buying and DIY programming a used rke key fob?
Can I program a 2nd rke if I only have 1 functioning rke?
Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 24,075
Likes: 1,322
From: Spring Texas
RKE key fob for the C7, are they all the same for 2014-2018? I'm thinking about buying a third just in case, looking on fleabay, and many of them are listed as 2014-2016 for example.
Are there any gotcha to buying and DIY programming a used rke key fob?
Can I program a 2nd rke if I only have 1 functioning rke?
Thanks.
Are there any gotcha to buying and DIY programming a used rke key fob?
Can I program a 2nd rke if I only have 1 functioning rke?
Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,486
Likes: 1,658
From: Las Vegas NV
Unless you are in Canada, you have 2 choices:
1) If you have at least ONE working fob, you can do the "short" pairing to just add the additional fob, leaving all other previously-paired fobs operational.
2) If you have NO working fobs (or you have lost a fob and you want to make sure that if someone finds it, they cannot use it on your car), you can *only* do the "long" pairing method, which 1st de-pairs ALL known fobs, and then lets you re-pair each one from scratch. There is no way for the owner to "de-pair" only a single lost fob, and leave the other known fobs pairing intact.
FYI -- There are those who unfortunately have had legitimate difficulty pairing used fobs (such as the poster above), but there are also a lot of us here who have experienced absolutely no issues pairing additional "used" fobs with our car. There is no official rule from GM that only "new, never paired" fobs can be used on your C7.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,828
Likes: 1,847
From: St. Louis Metro East IL
Just be sure to get the correct fob.
There are 4 flavors:
- manual trans, coupe
- manual trans, vert (has vert top button)
- auto trans, coupe (has remote start button)
- auto trans, vert (has remote start & vert top button)
There are 4 flavors:
- manual trans, coupe
- manual trans, vert (has vert top button)
- auto trans, coupe (has remote start button)
- auto trans, vert (has remote start & vert top button)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 137
Likes: 13
From: FL
Can you use a manual coupe fob with a auto vert and just not have remote start and top down functionality?
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,203
Likes: 4,326
From: Chirper Island
This just made me think of something, and I don't think if anyone has brought it up before. Theoretically, if you own two C6s or two of the same type C7s, you could program both cars to recognize all the fobs you have ( up to four on the C6, or up to 8 on the C7). That way, you only have to carry one fob and could access both cars with the same fob.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 137
Likes: 13
From: FL
Pairing is exactly the same for used or new fobs. Neither the car nor the fob know the difference.
Unless you are in Canada, you have 2 choices:
1) If you have at least ONE working fob, you can do the "short" pairing to just add the additional fob, leaving all other previously-paired fobs operational.
2) If you have NO working fobs (or you have lost a fob and you want to make sure that if someone finds it, they cannot use it on your car), you can *only* do the "long" pairing method, which 1st de-pairs ALL known fobs, and then lets you re-pair each one from scratch. There is no way for the owner to "de-pair" only a single lost fob, and leave the other known fobs pairing intact.
FYI -- There are those who unfortunately have had legitimate difficulty pairing used fobs (such as the poster above), but there are also a lot of us here who have experienced absolutely no issues pairing additional "used" fobs with our car. There is no official rule from GM that only "new, never paired" fobs can be used on your C7.
Unless you are in Canada, you have 2 choices:
1) If you have at least ONE working fob, you can do the "short" pairing to just add the additional fob, leaving all other previously-paired fobs operational.
2) If you have NO working fobs (or you have lost a fob and you want to make sure that if someone finds it, they cannot use it on your car), you can *only* do the "long" pairing method, which 1st de-pairs ALL known fobs, and then lets you re-pair each one from scratch. There is no way for the owner to "de-pair" only a single lost fob, and leave the other known fobs pairing intact.
FYI -- There are those who unfortunately have had legitimate difficulty pairing used fobs (such as the poster above), but there are also a lot of us here who have experienced absolutely no issues pairing additional "used" fobs with our car. There is no official rule from GM that only "new, never paired" fobs can be used on your C7.
I was just looking through the manual on how to pair with 1 or 0 fobs present. It says you need a key. My only 2 keys are inside my 2 fobs. So if I lost them both...I'm guessing a trip to the stealership is required. Can I have a hardware store make a copy of the key from my fob on to a regular old metal key? Then I could use that key to pair new fobs if I somehow lost all my fobs at the same time?
Last edited by Mr. Knowitall; Jul 20, 2017 at 11:40 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,203
Likes: 4,326
From: Chirper Island
If you have an existing key, anyone who has the correct (very expensive) machine can cut a copy for you. If you don't have a key, only a GM dealer can legally cut you a copy using your VIN, and you need to have proof that you are the owner. Even now, not every dealer has the machine needed to cut the key, so they may need to order a cut copy from either another dealer who has the machine, or GM directly.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 137
Likes: 13
From: FL
If you have an existing key, anyone who has the correct (very expensive) machine can cut a copy for you. If you don't have a key, only a GM dealer can legally cut you a copy using your VIN, and you need to have proof that you are the owner. Even now, not every dealer has the machine needed to cut the key, so they may need to order a cut copy from either another dealer who has the machine, or GM directly.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,203
Likes: 4,326
From: Chirper Island
Laser-cut keys are becoming more common (or technically less-uncommon 
), so, I would think that more and more locksmiths are acquiring the machines to do them as well.
Other brand dealers, perhaps, as well might have such a machine(?).
Either way, you will need a proper blank (available from many sources), just as you would with any metal key.
eta: provided you have a key to copy.
), so, I would think that more and more locksmiths are acquiring the machines to do them as well. Other brand dealers, perhaps, as well might have such a machine(?).
Either way, you will need a proper blank (available from many sources), just as you would with any metal key.
eta: provided you have a key to copy.
Last edited by owc6; Jul 21, 2017 at 12:05 AM.
16 Vettes and counting…..
Joined: Nov 2005
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Pairing is exactly the same for used or new fobs. Neither the car nor the fob know the difference.
Unless you are in Canada, you have 2 choices:
1) If you have at least ONE working fob, you can do the "short" pairing to just add the additional fob, leaving all other previously-paired fobs operational.
2) If you have NO working fobs (or you have lost a fob and you want to make sure that if someone finds it, they cannot use it on your car), you can *only* do the "long" pairing method, which 1st de-pairs ALL known fobs, and then lets you re-pair each one from scratch. There is no way for the owner to "de-pair" only a single lost fob, and leave the other known fobs pairing intact.
FYI -- There are those who unfortunately have had legitimate difficulty pairing used fobs (such as the poster above), but there are also a lot of us here who have experienced absolutely no issues pairing additional "used" fobs with our car. There is no official rule from GM that only "new, never paired" fobs can be used on your C7.
Unless you are in Canada, you have 2 choices:
1) If you have at least ONE working fob, you can do the "short" pairing to just add the additional fob, leaving all other previously-paired fobs operational.
2) If you have NO working fobs (or you have lost a fob and you want to make sure that if someone finds it, they cannot use it on your car), you can *only* do the "long" pairing method, which 1st de-pairs ALL known fobs, and then lets you re-pair each one from scratch. There is no way for the owner to "de-pair" only a single lost fob, and leave the other known fobs pairing intact.
FYI -- There are those who unfortunately have had legitimate difficulty pairing used fobs (such as the poster above), but there are also a lot of us here who have experienced absolutely no issues pairing additional "used" fobs with our car. There is no official rule from GM that only "new, never paired" fobs can be used on your C7.
Apparently the short method will not work on a 2017. I have one recognized remote, however the car will only allow me to do the long method. The manual says that TWO recognized remotes must be present to program an additional remote via the short method.
The guy in the service dept of my local dealer told me that the DIY method will only work with a key fob that has lost its programming...not a brand new remote. Seems to me that the car is the thing being reprogrammed, not the key fob....how can the key fob lose its programming?
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,203
Likes: 4,326
From: Chirper Island
Apparently the short method will not work on a 2017. I have one recognized remote, however the car will only allow me to do the long method. The manual says that TWO recognized remotes must be present to program an additional remote via the short method.
The guy in the service dept of my local dealer told me that the DIY method will only work with a key fob that has lost its programming...not a brand new remote. Seems to me that the car is the thing being reprogrammed, not the key fob....how can the key fob lose its programming?
The guy in the service dept of my local dealer told me that the DIY method will only work with a key fob that has lost its programming...not a brand new remote. Seems to me that the car is the thing being reprogrammed, not the key fob....how can the key fob lose its programming?
I suspect a change in the car is the difference in the new two-fob needed change in programming. I bet the fobs are still the same.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,828
Likes: 1,847
From: St. Louis Metro East IL
Realize that if you ADD a fob, it becomes #3 so it will not trigger seat memory. If you want it to REPLACE #1 or #2 you must use the long procedure which wipes fobs from the car's memory. The first fob you match to the car becomes #1...
Ron
Ron
3rd Gear
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