Key fob programming

3789 Views 16 Replies 10 Participants Last post by JaelenK, Jan 29, 2019

JaelenK

Discussion Starter · Jan 13, 2019

I lost BOTH of my keys and so i looked around on the internet for new fobs and programming instructions, but all i can find is web pages saying they're non customer programmable with the push button start. Anybody have any advice or an idea what this is going to set me back?

Thanks!

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

Bill58

· #2 · Jan 13, 2019

Contact a locksmith before even thinking of the stealership.

TheProblematic2013LTZ

· #3 · Jan 13, 2019

Worse come to worse, stealership would charge you quite a bit but at least you have a set. I asked the shop how much it cost for an 8th gen auto-start key fob, some $60 for the parts and some time paid to program it. I can see why the stealership didn't want to give away a set of keys with my $14,000 purchase, but I still don't understand why since I paid cash for this rotten piece of an auction car that was quote on quote "traded in."

Traded in a car that the TCM blew up at 86,000 miles.

JaelenK

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 13, 2019

Bill58 said:
Contact a locksmith before even thinking of the stealership.

I thought about that, but i don't want some random fob. I think I'll buy an OEM one online and then have someone program it. I want it with the bowtie on it lol.

1999 White C5 Coupe

· #5 · Jan 13, 2019

JaelenK said:
I lost BOTH of my keys and so i looked around on the internet for new fobs and programming instructions, but all i can find is web pages saying they're non customer programmable with the push button start. Anybody have any advice or an idea what this is going to set me back?

Thanks!

I have a 2014 Impala 2LTZ.

You must have two “learned” keys to add another transmitter yourself: https://www.impalaforums.com/autoca...2018-with-push-button-impala.html#post3600041

To obtain the correct key fob AND have the correct back-up key cut to enter the LF door if the battery is dead, you must have the fob/key ordered through a GM dealer with your original key code and identification. If you don’t have the key code available, the dealer can order it using the VIN. Take your registration and driver license.

Dealers no longer cut the type of key used on the 9th generation Impalas with the pushbutton start. It is done by their vendor, who ships the fob with the cut key inside to the dealer in 1-2 days.

I recently had my car serviced at the dealer and asked them what it would cost to have an additional fob programmed (for a friend) - I was quoted 1/2 hour labor.

I ordered a third fob / key about 2 1/2 years ago and programmed it myself. Then, the list price at the dealer was about $75 and I paid about $50 + tax (one fob with cut key inside).

In the long run, I’d bet you have the least amount of problems by ordered the fobs at the dealer and having them programmed there. You’ll have to have the car towed there (Free Roadside Assistance coverage?)

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JaelenK

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 13, 2019

So in other words I'm sol without either of my fobs and can only get it done at dealership...?

Bill58

· #7 · Jan 13, 2019

JaelenK said:
I thought about that, but i don't want some random fob. I think I'll buy an OEM one online and then have someone program it. I want it with the bowtie on it lol.

Locksmith will sell you a fob or you can buy the fob you want and have them programmed. They will even come to your location if needed. Personally I would trust a bonded locksmith over the dealer.

Adrianna Boswell

· #8 · Jan 15, 2019

I have an 06 lt and I bought one off of Amazon for 16.00 and to my surprise it works. Going on week number 3 now. The dealership wanted 240.00 I was told by the guy at the dealership that the local Ace hardware carried key fobs. I checked and they did for 60.00
That's to much for a key in my opinion had a friend that drives a Denali and she ordered one off of Amazon that worked so that's what I went with. I have remote start and it works too. Even have way better range than my original fob. The only difference is the Amazon fob seems a little flimsy and may break easily. It has a rough like surface where the oem was smooth plastic and its lighter. Amazon's fob came with battery and a small business card stating to go to website for programming. I questioned how secure this fob really does programming one of these types of fobs make my impala more susceptible to theft. Oh well I still have 224.00 and a working fob.

Reactions: 1

jebdtp

· #9 · Jan 18, 2019

I am happy with this site. 2014 Impala LT. https://www.remotesremotes.com/

1999 White C5 Coupe

· #10 · Jan 18, 2019

JaelenK said:
I thought about that, but i don't want some random fob. I think I'll buy an OEM one online and then have someone program it. I want it with the bowtie on it lol.

Here is an interesting article about Ace Hardware and the programming of vehicle fobs under a new program: https://www.wcpo.com/money/consumer...te-car-keys-cost-200-and-a-new-cheaper-option

Reactions: 1

hatzie

· #11 · Jan 19, 2019

1999 White C5 Coupe said:
Here is an interesting article about Ace Hardware and the programming of vehicle fobs under a new program: https://www.wcpo.com/money/consumer...te-car-keys-cost-200-and-a-new-cheaper-option

I'm not real keen on the "Trendy" switchblade keys.
Funny that they used a picture of a VW FOB and key. VW and VAG Gruppe in general gets an obscene amount of money for programming their keys and guards the procedures like the crown jewels. The VAG FOBs and un-mated Keys are obscenely expensive as well... they are two separate pieces that slip together and they are sold separately for a kings ransom.

jtrosky

· #12 · Jan 19, 2019

That is one thing that I really don't desire in any way - a push-button start with those crazy-expensive keyfobs. I'm completely fine with a regular key - after all, it gives me somewhere to put my keys when I'm driving and I know I won't forget them when I leave the car.

I hate leaving "bulky" things in my coat pockets, so I'd probably put them in the console or something where I can easily forget them when I exit the car.

Unfortunately, I think most newer cars have the pushbutton start. I've just never seen the big thing with pushbutton start....

Reactions: 1

plano-doug

· #13 · Jan 19, 2019 (Edited)

hatzie said:
I'm not real keen on the "Trendy" switchblade keys.

Now that you mention it, it is damage waiting to happen - way too much exposed lever arm.

Doug

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plano-doug

· #14 · Jan 19, 2019

1999 White C5 Coupe said:
Here is an interesting article about Ace Hardware and the programming of vehicle fobs under a new program: https://www.wcpo.com/money/consumer...te-car-keys-cost-200-and-a-new-cheaper-option

A friend of mine runs an ACE store here in the DFW area. He recently gave me the Duracell pitch. One key point he made that I didn't see in the linked article was that the metal in some aftermarket keys/key-fobs was soft and could be problematic during cutting. I'm not sure how true that is - it sounded a little like hard sell

That said, I ended up purchasing a replacement key and fob for my 2013 Cruze on eBay for about 11 bucks, then had it cut at my local lock smith. He charged 40 bucks, but also sync'd it to the car for me. I had hoped to get a better price on cutting, but he's one of the few lock smiths in Plano that has the machine - neither Home Depot nor Lowe's can cut them - so he's charging what the local market will bear

Overall, compared to what I've read, 51 bucks sounds like a decent price, so I feel satisfied.

Doug

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hatzie

· #15 · Jan 19, 2019

Those machines cost well North of $3,000.
He ain't runnig a charity... I can't blame the guy for trying to recoup the cost.

I've heard about blanks that were too soft or too hard for the VAG Gruppe keys. Both are bad. I chalked it up to poor adherence to spec by Chinese manufacturers.

Reactions: 1

kbz1960

· #16 · Jan 29, 2019

I just got a key and fob for my 13 online for $30, dealer cut the key and programmed both for $52.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using Tapatalk

JaelenK

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jan 29, 2019

Fortunately for me i found one of my fobs, so i think buy a couple extra ones and program them myself. Then have them cut eventually.

Reactions: 1

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