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Topic: key fob remote

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key fob remote (1/14)
7/7/13 7:31am

chevykid
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Ephrata, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1995 Std Coupe Dark Purple Metallic Auto Trans Z07 Suspension Just under 23K miles (7.7.13)

Joined: 7/7/2013
Posts: 52

Key fob suddenly quit working; cannot open hatch with fob and cannot set and use keyless entry. Battery in fob reads 3.11 VDC. Hatch can still be opened with the switch on the drivers door or the center console. Door locks work electrically using the switches on the doors. Is there a test for the fob itself?
Thanks in advance,
Dave

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Re: key fob remote (2/14)
7/7/13 5:00pm

SAYWHEN
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Joined: 2/26/2011
Posts: 82

It's pretty easy on these cars to hold the door lock button on the remote too long and inadvertantly turn the PKE off without knowing it. Try this----NO key in the ignition-stand next to the car and hold the door lock button on your remote for 5-7 seconds the locks should lock/unlock to acknowledge the system is back on.

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Re: key fob remote (3/14)
7/8/13 1:41pm

chevykid
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Ephrata, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1995 Std Coupe Dark Purple Metallic Auto Trans Z07 Suspension Just under 23K miles (7.7.13)

Joined: 7/7/2013
Posts: 52

Thanks much for your suggestion. The system seems completely "dead" as I can't even recycle the door locks as you suggested.

I think the problem may be with the PKE system in the car, as I have since tried reprogramming the fob using the instructions in the owners manual and the system will not go into the programming mode. Checked the fuse for the PKE and it is OK so maybe my next step is to take it my local dealer (great service department) and see what they think of the problem.

Will post the result, as I have been told that this PKE system can be a problem.

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Re: key fob remote (4/14)
7/8/13 2:23pm

davep85c4
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Joined: 4/4/2009
Posts: 254

Excerpt from the first Google hit I found:

"Place your transmitter fob 10 feet or more away from the Corvette coupe or convertible. Get in vehicle and turn the key on, but do not start the engine. Push the Trip/Odo button twice and within 5 seconds, push and hold the Fuel/Info button, until the PKE light comes on and remains on. Turn the ignition key off, but do not remove the key. The PKE light will come on and begin flashing. Now go get the fob and walk toward the Corvette with the fob in your hand. When the receiver module recognizes the PKE fob, the PKE light in your Drivers Information Center (Lower Button Left), will remain on, with no flash.

Remove the key from the ignition, put the fob in your pocket/purse and walk away from the Corvette, and the doors should lock. You will hear a chirp from your horn to verify the locking procedure. Now walk toward the Corvette with the fob in your pocket/purse, the doors will automatically unlock, without touching or pressing the fob buttons. If you are working on your vehicle, or have a passenger whom remains in the vehicle, it is best to disarm the system, otherwise the alarm will sound if a door is opened by the passenger, or the system will cycle lock/unlock while you are near it.

To disarm the system, hold the door button down until you hear the the door locks cycle twice. To rearm, simply do the same procedure. "

The secret is the flashing PKE light on the DIC. If it doesn't go out, the fob didn't program.

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Re: key fob remote (5/14)
7/14/13 10:10am

chevykid
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Ephrata, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1995 Std Coupe Dark Purple Metallic Auto Trans Z07 Suspension Just under 23K miles (7.7.13)

Joined: 7/7/2013
Posts: 52

Thanks to all for responding; I tried the suggested reprogramming sequence just to make sure it was the same as the owners' manual, and the system will simply not go into the programming mode; everything goes according to the instructions until the part where the ignition is turned off without removing the key; at that point the PKE light is in fact on until the key is turned "off" and then the light goes out, as it should, but never comes back up "blinking" to allow the next steps of bringing the fob into proximity of the car, etc. PKE fuse is good, so I am thinking that the computer-driven system in the car has failed.

Too bad, as it was always so nice to know the car had locked itself and it was always so much easier to open the hatch using the fob.

If and when I find out just what is going on, I will supply the solution, as I can't believe I will be the only one to experience this problem.

chevykid

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Re: key fob remote (6/14)
7/15/13 7:54am

davep85c4
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Joined: 4/4/2009
Posts: 254

EDIT ADD: I re-read your response. You say "light goes out when key is turned off, but never begins blinking".
````````````````
I read the diagnostics in the Helm's manual for "will not enter program mode". It is a very simple circuit. The BCM sends a 200ms low pulse to the PKE module to enter programming mode. The chart checks a single wire between the two modules to test for an 'open' in that circuit.

The last test is to short this wire to ground for 3 seconds."Does PKE enter program mode?" Yes = "Refer to Key-in-ignition-switch chart".

This was my thought. Wiring and connectors and modules generally don't cause problems, particularly inside the car. Moving parts do. The ignition switch has contacts in it for the switch that detects that the key is inserted in the lock. If this switch is faulty, the BCM won't know the key is in the ignition, and won't send the "program" signal to the PKE module.

So, does your key buzzer work properly with the driver door open, and key in the ignition? If not (no warning with key in ignition, door open) this is why it won't enter program mode.

It has to be something. Worn key warning ignition switch contacts could be it.

|UPDATED|7/15/2013 8:54:02 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

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Re: key fob remote (7/14)
7/21/13 5:47am

chevykid
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Ephrata, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1995 Std Coupe Dark Purple Metallic Auto Trans Z07 Suspension Just under 23K miles (7.7.13)

Joined: 7/7/2013
Posts: 52

Thanks again for suggestion; have checked to see that the alarm does chime when the key is left in when the door is opened and it does chime or buzz, so it recognizes that the key is there; but maybe somewhere between turning the key from "on" to "off" that contact is lost just long enough to interfere with the program. Something to look into at any rate.

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Re: key fob remote (8/14)
8/2/13 9:46pm

djones57
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Joined: 12/2/2011
Posts: 23

I wanted to get in on this PKE discussion...I bought a brand new remote for my 1996 and tried to program it using the procedure and the light will flash but never go "steady on" meaning the system has recognized the remote. Has this happened to any of you? if so what did you find was the problem?

the remote was brand new from GM and I even put another new battery in it.

______________

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Re: key fob remote (9/14)
6/25/14 10:16am

chevykid
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Ephrata, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1995 Std Coupe Dark Purple Metallic Auto Trans Z07 Suspension Just under 23K miles (7.7.13)

Joined: 7/7/2013
Posts: 52

Just in case anyone else is still experiencing PKE problems;

Quite some time ago I posted a message about PKE problems and got many responses with great suggestions - nothing seemed to work out, and with the cost of a new fob being high compared to other GM fobs, I decided to forget about and lock the car manually.

Well, I finally caved-in and bought a new fob. One of my posts indicated that the system would not enter the program mode, but I was mistaken about that. Going thru the procedure indicates that after you get the PKE light turned on, you turn off the ignition switch, but do not remove the key - this is the part of the procedure that I thought was not working correctly, as it takes forever for the light to go out and begin a very slow "blink" (patience apparently rules here). Once I realized that, it was easy to program not only the new fob, but the old one as well.

Both fobs now control a PKE system that is apparently "off" and work just as the owners manual describes - when the car is locked manually, the fob will release the hatch and unlock the passengers door when the hatch or door button are pushed (gotta wonder what the brainiac at GM was thinking). So, now I have two fobs that work perfectly when the car is locked manually.

The remaining problem is that the PKE system will not cycle and lock itself when the door button on the fob is held to turn the system "on". I am still convinced that the problem lies within the PKE controller in the car and will probably not take the repair any further due to the cost of a new PKE controller.

It was great to have the car lock itself and notify me that it had, and then unlock itself as I approached it, but can live with locking it and un-locking it manually.

C4s rule,

Dave

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Re: key fob remote (10/14)
6/25/14 1:24pm

cco
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Joined: 8/16/2013
Posts: 191

Thanks for the update Dave. Interesting to say the least.

I've had my '94 since last August and had to buy 2 new fobs from GM (which were not cheap).They programed in nicely and have worked great since then, but it does seem that the PKE system can be problematic at times. My passenger door sometimes does not unlock necessitating a reprogram to fix the issue.

G/L with yours and thanks for coming back in to share your info.

......and yes: C4's rule.

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Re: key fob remote (11/14)
11/2/23 4:45pm

Stanp321
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Cocoa, FL - USA

Vette(s):
1986 Convertable, Indy pace car. Red with black top, automatic. Bought from Goodwill without keys! Running now after replacing ignition and finding correct VATS.

Joined: 11/2/2023
Posts: 9

New question actually. Did the 1986 come with a key fob to unlock the doors?

I bought a convertible from Goodwill in Ohio without keys. I have it running now but would like to get it programmed for an extra remote that I have.

Is this possible?

Thanks.

|UPDATED|11/2/2023 5:45:12 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

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Re: key fob remote (12/14)
11/2/23 5:29pm

Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1985 Coupe-L98/Auto,Bright Red/Carmine. 1974 Coupe-L48/4speed, Medium Red Metallic/Black Deluxe.

Joined: 3/18/2009
Posts: 2245

Not 100% certain, but I don't think they had remote systems until '89-'90....

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Joel Adams
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

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Re: key fob remote (13/14)
11/3/23 9:07pm

Norsky
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West Burke, VT - USA

Vette(s):
SOLD - "The Beast" - '90 ZR-1 (#682)
SOLD - "The Toy" - '70 Convertible
SOLD - "Betty" - '28 Ford Model A Tudor
Still have - "BLKBRRD" - '78 Pontiac Trans Am

Joined: 3/18/2009
Posts: 209

My '90 ZR-1 did not have a key fob so guessing they came later.

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Jim Olson

"The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

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Re: key fob remote (14/14)
11/15/23 11:45am

Corveddie
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Beacon, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1994 convertible, arctic white, black top and interior. LT1 auto.

Joined: 11/29/2009
Posts: 43

Key fob and passive keyless entry began with model year 1993.

Coveddie

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