Problem with keyless entry/alarm...

[Knight]

Hi, I just bought my first vette, it was a steal. Only one problem. The remote keyless entry/alarm key fobs didnt work. So I took it to the local dealer today to see if maybe it needed batteries and/or reprogramming. First bad news was, one transmitter key fob was dead, need new one. The other supposedly just needed reprogramming, so I say do it. 10 bucks and a half hour later they say it's all done and its working. Hands me the keys and of course I try it out, didnt work. Ok, thinking maybe it could have had a little blurp or something. I go back inside and tell them it doesnt work. Tech comes back out, fiddles with it for another 10 minutes, gets out and says, ok, it worked 5 minutes ago. I'm starting to get a little angry. So then the service guy comes out and says it must be the reciever in the car and now wants to keep the car.

First of all has anyone had problems with their keyless entry?

And what should I do about the 10 dollar charge they said would fix it. Which somehow only works in the bays, but once it rolls out of their garage, quits working... sounds kinda funny to me..

 

[yellow_2002_germany]

Welcome to the CAC!

I wish I knew what to tell you. I have the non-passive system.

Do you have a different dealer n the area that you might be able to take it to? A 2nd opinion can't hurt. Maybe you can find someone else with the same entry system and borrow their fob to see if it is indeed a problem with the receiver.

You can do the reprogramming yourself. I am not sure of the procedure but it is covered in the manual and I am sure if you do a search of the archives you can find the procedure as well.

 

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,
This sounds a little funny to me as well. Although, I have seen electromagnetic interference do some pretty weird stuff with the transmitters
The receiver is usually pretty consistant. I would say that you let them install the receiver, and program the transmitters. There are the only 2 main things to the system.
If, after that time, there are still problems, then you have recourse with the service manager.
Please keep us posted, c4c5

 

[Knight]

Will do, thx guys..

 

[bbw]

If you're talking about the passive keyless entry (PKE) system, then my experience might help. I discovered that, with a cell phone cable plugged into the lighter outlet, the range for the PKE was almost zero: it appeared that the PKE wasn't working at all, or, at other times, I had to place the fob darned near against the door for it to be picked up by the receiver.

I mentioned this before, and a different poster indicated that he had similar problems with his PKE when he was near the pickup for his automatic garage door opener.

 

[Knight]

Ok I let them have the car an entire day today. They knew what it was there for...

Tech drives it up to the service entrance. "Its been working fine all day today.." He goes to press the button, "Watch it not work again.." And guess what, nada. So now they want to keep it another day????

Tell me that doesnt sound fishy...


A very dissapointed chevy owner...

 

[white97]

I had the same problem. I stood next to the car and pressed the lock and unlock buttons on the fob at the same time. Held them down for about 5 seconds and it reset itself. Have you tried doing that yet?

Tracy

 

[ROCKnROLL]

if your (TPS) tire pressure sensors are giving you readouts then chances are the receiver is ok since they both work on the same frequency.
if you decide to purchase a new transmitter (FOB) this place sells OEM replacements 50% off.

http://www.keylessride.com

 

[Knight]

Sweet! thx, I needed another fob anyway..

Turns out where they were trying to test it was in a dead spot in the service bay, they took it across the street and it worked...

They said they replaced the reciever anyway

 

[XtaC]

I have been having the same problem with my 1999. It started when I had an electrical drain on my car and was stuck at the DMV had to have a tow truck jump my car. So I thought it was just needing to be reset. I went through all of the steps in the manual and still no luck. It would work for about 1 minute and then stop working completely. I took it to the Dealership and they said I needed a new remote. I have two. I replaced the batteries and it would start working and again stop for no reason. Our delaer here is kinda lame and offered no solution. Anyone have any success fixing this problem? Please help.

 

[Gorgon]

XtaC, welcome to the CAC.

I have similar problems with one transmitter for my 99 FRC. We recently bought the car and only one remote worked. Come to find out the other just needed a battery. Purchased new batteries and programmed them both. The second took a long time to learn taking a long time to hold both LOCK and UNLOCK buttons. Once finished they were both tested and worked and then set to passive.

These transmitters have a small sensor inside that detects movement. If the fob has not been moved for a while it will turn off the transmitter when in the passive mode. I figured that the second tranmitter was stuck in TX mode and killed the battery. I have not replaced it and tried again to see if this is the case. We have since turned the passive feature off as the range of the tranmitter is good enough that if we move the keys in the bedroom on the other side of the house from the garage the car will unlock and then lock with a beep one the tranmitter turns off from no motion.

Those that are having problems with one remote, are you using passive or active modes? If it's passive I'm guessing the motion sensor in the remote could be hosed and it's just eating batteries. BTW, that's the little rattle you hear inside the remote, the sensor.

I will probably buy another remote. Thanks for the link above. Anyone had any luck ordering from them?

Leon

 

[TooTall]

Shoulds similar to a problem I had with the fob I recieved when I bought my 2000. Fob did not work at all until I replaced the battery and reprogrammed. Then it would work fine over and over so long as I stay near the vehicle. As soon as I got out of range and then returned it would not work. I would reprogram with the same results. I just last week got a new fob and it works without any problems.
Rob

 

[XtaC]

What FOBs will work

I was wondering if new 2001 chevy non passive FOB remotes will work for my passive system. I never use the passive system anyway.

Thanks XtaC

 

[ROCKnROLL]

XtaC,
i don't think it will since starting in 2001 the frequency was changed that the TPS's and FOB's operate on.
a 2000 might work since the passive system only went 97 thru 99.
keep us posted.

 

[Knight]

I have finally solved this ordeal... I live in florida. As we all know summer days tend to put out some heat.. some days being 100 degrees with 100 percent humidity.. AND I have a black car..

Cold days, night time, anything below 96 degrees, the keyless entry works perfect...

Anything above 96 degree, and sitting in the sun, no go..

Heat kills.. as I finally see the light..

my test was performed several times.. so maybe this will give some insight to the rest of you if you are in hotter climates and having problems...

 

[MM-C5]

I had a similar problem with mine, shich was also purchased used. The difference is that the dealer mechanic spent about 30 minutes with me going over all the bells and whistles....NO CHARGE.

There is one thing you may not have thought of though and that is the security code for your sound system. If the battery goes down or is disconnected and you do not have that, you're up the creek without a paddle.

My dealer said he would reprogram mine the next time i bring it in. All I need is to provide him with the numbers I want to use.

It's not a big deal just yet, but hope you don't have this problem.

Tom

 

[RED C-5 OF Jax]

I have noticed my range is limited when parked in certain parking lots especially those lots near radio or TV towers. Sometimes I have to hold the fob right over the driver's side rear wheel to get it to work. I keep my passive switch in the off position.

 

[Blade]

I have noticed my range is limited when parked in certain parking lots especially those lots near radio or TV towers. Sometimes I have to hold the fob right over the driver's side rear wheel to get it to work. I keep my passive switch in the off position.

You are correct! We have over a million watts broadcasting atop the TV Tower in our parking lot. Any car with keyless entry is affected. It's fun to watch visitors to our studios trying to unlock their cars. I have to be standing next to my Vette and hit the unlock button several times before it works. Get a few blocks away and everything works fine.

Did I mention that I Glow in the Dark!