new owner of 94 Vette

[samborskij]

I just purchased a White 94 Coupe. I got nothing but the car and one set of keys in the deal. I have a number of questions, for the time being I will restrain myself and keep my questions to a minumum. There are a few issues with the vehicle.

1. What is the best repair manual to buy and what is the approx. cost?

2. This is a multipart question and centers around enterring the vehicle from outside when locked using the switch on the inside of the door. I have to jiggle twist and swear jump and shout to get the vehicle unlocked using the door key. If I lock the door using the key, I have little to no problem unlocking the door with the key. Now to the question:
2a. Did the vehicle originally come with a remote door lock/unlock apparatus?
2b. How do I adjust the door linkage to operate easy?

Thank You, Sam

 

[GeorgeT]

1. The GM Service Manual available from Helm (approx. $90) is good.

2a. Your car came with a "Passive" Remote Fob. When you approach the car, it will unlock without any action required by you. Likewise, when you walk away, it will lock without any action required. The automatic action can be turned off.

2b. Remove the door panel and lubricate the lock mechanism.

 

[94C4]

Congratulations on your new purchase! The Haynes manual is really quite good and a lot cheaper than the GM. About $18 at Pep Boys I think. The 94 came with a PKE fob or ( passive keyless entry). It locks and unlocks the car as you aproach it (unlock) or walk away (lock). I would ask the previous owner about this or the dealer that you bought it from. If you need to buy one, it will run you about $140 from the Chevy dealer. They will need to program it to match the chip in the car. You can't do it yourself. As far as the stiff lock, I would try lubrication first. Enjoy your car.

 

[Daryllawman]

Congrats on your Vette.....Welcome to the Corvette Action Center....Enjoy !!!!!!!!

 

[samborskij]

GeorgeT and 94C4

Thank you for your qiuck response. Concerned on day 3 of ownership.

Bought from dealer and he's as lost as I am. Isn't that the way it always is after the sale?

At the risk of sounding stupid, the keyless entry system doesn't have anything to do with the resistor on the key does it? I am assuming it is an entirely seperate doodad for the lack of a better term.

I managed after trial and error to remove the door panel. Eyeballed the locking mechanism and linkage and used copious amounts of WD40 to no avail.

It still seems that if I use the switch inside to lock the doors I can't re-enter without a tremendous amount of effort, 3 to 10 minutes (I worry about breaking key).

Using the key (the checkerboard pattern is still visable), I am able to open the door. I notice that the slider on the door does not close as much as when locked with the key allowing me to open door. When I use switch it closes all the way (checkerboard pattern completely hidden).
Any ideas besides more WD40?

 

[drags1998]

First of all, NO question is stupid. The resistor in the key is for the VATS system only!!! (anti-theft) search out the BINDING in the door latch,Im sure if you take your time, you'll find the problem!!!!!

 

[94C4]

Ditto, The resister on the key is so that key will only start that car. The PKE is a fob similar to other cars with keyless entry.

 

[bbw]

As far as I know, you can do it yourself (unless something changed between '93 and '94), and are expected to. Did the owner's manual come with the car? If not, get one. I don't remember the steps extactly, but when you buy a new FOB, you'll need to program it (with any other FOBs) with the car. It's pretty easy. Once you program a set of FOBs, all FOBs not in the set will be disabled.

$140 is the going cost for a new FOB from a dealer. If you buy a used one, be careful, they are different for different years (without looking much different!), and the wrong year might not (will not?) program correctly.

...it will run you about $140 from the Chevy dealer. They will need to program it to match the chip in the car. You can't do it yourself.

 

[samborskij]

keys/fobs

I don't have the Owners Manual, but it is looking more and more like I need one.

bbw are you saying that a key fob is a necessity?

It would seem that if one has the key fob, a door key's use would be a moot point. On the other hand if one doesn't have a key fob should the key be able to unlock a door locked from inside using the switch (locked by actuator)?

It would be nice to know if the key is expected to work before I go adjusting lock linkages?

Tnx, Sam

 

[vette-dude]

Go to the task bar at top of forum and click on search. Type in keyless entry and there are numerous threads on the subject. The instructions for programming/deprogramming are in one of the threads.


Randy

 

[94C4]

Sorry, I was wrong on the fob programming thing. I thought that a dealer needed to do it. Yes the key should unlock the doors even if locked with the electric switch.

 

[1995 RedVette]

One more thing... You said that you applied WD-40 to the lock mechanism. The WD-40 will help displace any water (hence the name Water Displacement trial #40), however you will need to apply some light lithium grease to the lock to relieve some the binding issues.

 

[garycr14]

I don't have the Owners Manual, but it is looking more and more like I need one.

bbw are you saying that a key fob is a necessity?

It would seem that if one has the key fob, a door key's use would be a moot point. On the other hand if one doesn't have a key fob should the key be able to unlock a door locked from inside using the switch (locked by actuator)?

It would be nice to know if the key is expected to work before I go adjusting lock linkages?

Tnx, Sam

Good luck with the key fob. I also did not get one when I purchased my car, so I ordered one from Pace automotive, I have never been able to program the thing to work. My understanding is that there is a transmitter under the dash that can go out, which I will assume is the case with mine...Seems like too much trouble to take the dash apart to replace, at least for me, so I just ust the door key. The door key should be easy to lube. I would start by using some lubricant of choice...the old fashioned graphite used to work well, on the key from the outside, without removing the door panel, then if that doesn't work remove the door panel and lube all of the moving linkage parts. If you us a dry lube inside the lock, you shoud not us a wet type until all of the dry has been disapated, or you will make a mushy mess inside the lock. Not fun when you remove your key and stick it in your pocket!

 

[IndianaJef]

94 Key Fob

I think the key fob is a handy item. When I bought my 94 used, the original fob was broken. I found a guy online that had an extra one and he sold it to me for 60 bucks. The best feature of the fob is being able to open the hatch remotely as you approach the car. Yes it will also unlock the doors when you get within range. (About 10 feet - depending on battery strength of the fob).

As you walk away from the car, you will hear the doors lock behind you and the horn will beep once to indicate the alarm is armed. I think its a cool feature myself - having never owned a car with a fob before. Like all good toys there is a section in the owners manual devoted to operating it and resetting it. It involves having the key in the ignition as I recall, and you approach the car with the fob until the car "recognizes" it. The setup even allows you to program how you want the car to react as you approach it. You can have it unlock just the drivers door, or both doors.

Enjoy your new toy and welcome to the forum !

Jeff

 

[Lteez]

Welcome to the form you can buy a service manual on ebay for about 35- 45 bucks
I Hope you enjoy your Vette

 

[boomer]

Congrats on the "new" Vette! I got the GM repair manuals off Ebay (~$80), definately worth the money vs the cheaper versions IMO. The PKE is great (when working correctly), I don't think I have ever used my keys to unlock the doors, nor have I ever locked them behind me. And, as said previously, alittle lithuim grease in the right spots should help with the sticking.
Oliver

 

[Corvette-Pilot]

Agreed, with the keyless fob I have not needed to use the key either. Plus this way there is no need to worry about the keys scratching the paint !!

I have both the Helm and Chilton manuals. Spend the money on Helm off ebay. The Chilton covers all C4s and this means there isn't as much detail because of all the changes.

Oh ya, congrats on the car - Great Year