Welcome to the Corvette Forums at the Corvette Action Center!

C6 Keyless start and entry system

c4c5specialist

Technical Advisor
Joined
May 29, 2001
Messages
3,682
Location
New Haven, Ct. USA
Corvette
Nope, but someday.
This is the beginning of articles on c6 and are the property of the Corvetteactioncenter website. This may not be duplicated in any form without permission of the ownership of this site.

C6 Keyless entry system
The keyless entry system and starting system are the same integrated system. This system uses many parts to ensure reliability and function, with minimal effort from the driver/owner.
Parts of keyless system
RCDLR, or Remote Control Door Lock Receiver, which recognizes key fob reception via the antennas and communicates function to the BCM.
Antennas, 4 total, one in each door, one in the rear decklid, and one low frequency antenna pocket pod in case of transmitter battery failure.
BCM, or Body Control Module. The brains of the system, which works the starter and fuel enable signals to the PCM when correct key fob information is received from the RCDLR.
LED lamps on the door panels to indicate system readiness and function.
Key fobs/transmitters. There are 2 that come with the vehicle, although you can program up to 4. There is a sacrifice here. Only 2 will be programmed to the memory package of the vehicle, the other 2 will only function doors and engine start.
DCM, or door control modules, there is one for each door. These control modules act on commands from the BCM to unlock and open doors.
Entry to vehicle functions
There are 2 ways that the system works. You can have the system work passively, letting the electronics do the work to enter the car, or you can use the transmitters actively.
In the passive mode, the system will stay idle, and the LED lamps will flash once per second, indicating that the system is working and the vehicle is locked. When you approach the car, and the fob in your pocket or hand, the vehicle will NOT just unlock the doors. You will press a soft pad to open the door or the trunk. This wakes up the BCM, which asks the RCDLR to see if there is a valid fob close to the vehicle. The RCDLR sends a low frequency signal from the antennas to challenge a fob. The fob will then transmit back, and the RCDLR see a valid signal. The RCDLR sends an approval signal to the BCM. The LED will go to a solid light, then the BCM will allow the door to unlock and release through the door control modules.
In Passive mode, the transmitters must be within 1 meter of either door or trunk for the passive system to function correctly.
Active mode is different, as you do not have to be within 1 meter for the system to work.
The range is about 30 ft, based on obsticles in between the fob and the car. There are 3 buttons, lock, unlock and trunk. Function is the same as the older systems used. When you press the unlock button, the antitheft system disarms, but will NOT open the doors until you press the soft pad on the door you are attempting to open. Lock will turn on the theft security system. Trunk will open the trunk so you can access possessions.
Starting system
Once you have entered the car and sat down, you can simply start the car by pressing the start button. There are 3 different safety features to enable the starter. You must have the Emergency brake on, and both the clutch pedal and the brake pedal must be depressed to start the car. On automatic equipped cars, the vehicle must be in park, ebrake set, and the brake pedal must be depressed.
There is also an accessory button if you would simply like the radio on, or would like to roll down a window.
When the starter button is depressed, the BCM looks for an approval from the RCDLR for the fob. If for some reason, the fob cannot be read, "No Fob Detected" will be seen in the DIC. The car will not start.
This is where the low frequency antenna fob pod comes in. If you slide the fob into the pod, which is located in the glove box, you will be able to start the car. The low frequency pod will transmit a signal into the fob, and the system will recognize it. Then the vehicle will start.
The BCM will turn on the starter relay, to engage the starter. The BCM will also send a fuel enable signal to the PCM to turn on the injectors. This will enable the engine to run.
Backup key and function
If for some reason, battery power is lost, the key is the only way into the vehicle. There is a lock cylinder at the rear of the vehicle for you to enter the trunk area. From there, you can release the drivers side door from a manual release lever inside. Turning the key shows the system that a valid user is attempting to enter the vehicle and will not set of the alarm. Once inside, you can install the fob into the backup pod and start the vehicle.
System notes
This system is dependant on the fact that there is not alot of RF, or radio frequency interferance. If there is, the system may not work as designed. This is why installation of aftermarket accessories is very critical as to the location and design.
Radar detection equipment and hands free cellular phone kits must be installed correctly so that this does NOT present a problem to the keyless system. You can install these accessories, however, correctly so.

Allthebest, c4c5 :hb
 
AWESOME info. A great review! I have been wondering how all that would work and how the backup systems are operated.

A few questions:

1. What is this backup key for the trunk latch? Do you carry it with you?
2. Ebrake, clutch and brake to start. Seems like a lot. Can some of them be disabled and still allow the car to start?
3. What happens if you get out of a idling C6 with the fob, and walk away? Say to grab a paper or something and leave someone in the car. What happens then? Does it stay running?
 
Buster1 said:
AWESOME info. A great review! I have been wondering how all that would work and how the backup systems are operated.

A few questions:

1. What is this backup key for the trunk latch? Do you carry it with you?
2. Ebrake, clutch and brake to start. Seems like a lot. Can some of them be disabled and still allow the car to start?
3. What happens if you get out of a idling C6 with the fob, and walk away? Say to grab a paper or something and leave someone in the car. What happens then? Does it stay running?
The backup key is similar to a door key and can be attached to the key fob transmitter.
No, the system cannot be changed for safety reasons.
The car will stay running if you leave the vehicle to get something with the fob with you. If you push the off button,without the fob in range, you will be asked to confirm your choice before the system shuts the car. The car will NOT RESTART if 'OFF' is pressed and the fob is not in range.

Allthebest, c4c5:hb
 
Thanks for the info. I'm just not getting warm fuzzies from this system.:upthumbs
 
Good info....isn't there a backup key hole above the rear license plate that takes a regular key?
 
attachment.php

Here's a photo of the rear license plate area showing lock:
 
Thanks for the info C4/C5...

it sounds more complicated / more work than just doing it the 'old fashioned' way....

I never use the e-brake so that is an additional step, and how much more work is it to insert the key and twist Vs. pushing a button? I wish GM spent more money else-where, or just made the car cheaper instead of adding stuff like this:(
 
I havent heard any complaints on the system in the XLR, so maybe it just seems more complicated reading about it than actually doing it. I havent tried it yet though.
 
gr8 reply,

All I can say is take good care of the FOB's my 1996 cost $165.00 and a two month wait. I got it but it came without grease!!!! LMAO


jeff
 
Need this reviewed and see how much I got wrong.

I know that this was posted some time back and there may have been some running changes made. Not in quotes because I made some changes or highlighted a word in blue and added some information in red.

Parts of keyless system
RCDLR, or Remote Control Door Lock Receiver, which recognizes key fob reception via the antennas and communicates function to the BCM.
Antennas, 4 total, one in each door, one in the rear decklid, and one low frequency antenna pocket pod in case of transmitter battery failure.
BCM, or Body Control Module. The brains of the system, which works the starter and fuel enable signals to the PCM when correct key fob information is received from the RCDLR.
LED lamps on the door panels to indicate system readiness and function.
Key fobs/transmitters. There are 2 that come with the vehicle, although you can program up to 4. There is a sacrifice here. Only 2 will be programmed to the memory package of the vehicle, the other 2 will only function doors and engine start.

You may need to reread this memory package, there are 3 settings available.

DCM, or door control modules, there is one for each door. These control modules act on commands from the BCM to unlock and open doors.
Entry to vehicle functions
There are 2 ways that the system works. You can have the system work passively, letting the electronics do the work to enter the car, or you can use the transmitters actively.
In the passive mode, the system will stay idle, and the LED lamps will flash once per second, indicating that the system is working and the vehicle is locked.

Not so, there is one LED on the dash that flashes, not the doors.

When you approach the car, and the fob in your pocket or hand, the vehicle will NOT just unlock the doors. You will press a soft pad to open the door or the trunk.

The soft trunk release button is beside the manual backup key lock on the passenger side. See Bluecoupe's picture.

This wakes up the BCM, which asks the RCDLR to see if there is a valid fob close to the vehicle. The RCDLR sends a low frequency signal from the antennas to challenge a fob. The fob will then transmit back, and the RCDLR see a valid signal. The RCDLR sends an approval signal to the BCM. The LED will go to a solid light, then the BCM will allow the door to unlock and release through the door control modules.

Not so, when the LED goes solid it will not unlock and it is telling you there is not a proper FOB in the vicinity. When the proper FOB is in the required area it flashes the LED and allows the door to be opened. The LED will continue to flash until the door is closed and the glass indexes.

In Passive mode, the transmitters must be within 1 meter of either door or trunk for the passive system to function correctly.
Active mode is different, as you do not have to be within 1 meter for the system to work.
The range is about 30 ft, based on obstacles in between the fob and the car. There are 3 buttons, lock, unlock and trunk. Function is the same as the older systems used. When you press the unlock button, the antitheft system disarms, but will NOT open the doors until you press the soft pad on the door you are attempting to open. Lock will turn on the theft security system. Trunk will open the trunk so you can access possessions.
Starting system
Once you have entered the car and sat down, you can simply start the car by pressing the start button. There are 3 different safety features to enable the starter. You must have the Emergency brake on, and both the clutch pedal and the brake pedal must be depressed to start the car.

Not so, the car can be started with the clutch pedal down, without the shift lever in reverse, without the parking brake set, and without the foot brake applied. Think about it, you stall the car and you’re in traffic and you have to stop and set emergency brake, put it into reverse, put the clutch down, put your foot on the brake and do all that before you get creamed in the rear?


I would assume that the automatic is the same way, bump it into neutral and restart it.

On automatic equipped cars, the vehicle must be in park, ebrake set, and the brake pedal must be depressed.
There is also an accessory button if you would simply like the radio on, or would like to roll down a window.
When the starter button is depressed, the BCM looks for an approval from the RCDLR for the fob. If for some reason, the fob cannot be read, "No Fob Detected" will be seen in the DIC. The car will not start.
This is where the low frequency antenna fob pod comes in. If you slide the fob into the pod, which is located in the glove box, you will be able to start the car. The low frequency pod will transmit a signal into the fob, and the system will recognize it. Then the vehicle will start.
The BCM will turn on the starter relay, to engage the starter. The BCM will also send a fuel enable signal to the PCM to turn on the injectors. This will enable the engine to run.
Backup key and function
If for some reason, battery power is lost, the key is the only way into the vehicle. There is a lock cylinder at the rear of the vehicle for you to enter the trunk area. From there, you can release the drivers side door from a manual release pull tab inside. Turning the key shows the system that a valid user is attempting to enter the vehicle and will not set of the alarm. Once inside, you can install the fob into the backup pod and start the vehicle.

:hb

Rocketblock, is that warm fuzzy feeling gone yet??

:confused
 
I apologize if I have used the wrong terminology. I am not perfect, but I do try harder to know what I am talking about.
If you look in the fob section, I was talking about programming key fobs to the memory package, not how many there were.
Soft pad or LED, no misinformation was intended, but follow the sequence in your owners manual, and you will not be able to start the car without the fob. This information was posted back in April, when Corvette service technicians received it. There were some changes before production, due to the decision to NOT make it like XLR.
Allthebest, c4c5:hb
 
Good Info.... C6 Auto, brake pedal has to be depressed but e-brake does not have to be applied to start car.
 

Corvette Forums

Not a member of the Corvette Action Center?  Join now!  It's free!

Help support the Corvette Action Center!

Supporting Vendors

Dealers:

MacMulkin Chevrolet - The Second Largest Corvette Dealer in the Country!

Advertise with the Corvette Action Center!

Double Your Chances!

Our Partners

Back
Top Bottom