Question C7 - Key Fob Issues ? or not ?

YFCvii

YFCvii

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Hello,
... not a hypothetical situation ...
I have issues with 2 of 3 C7 Corvettes (2016 & two 2017s) ...
All while in Winter Storage
All 3 full-time on GM battery maintainers.
All 3 in an unheated Garage

Corvette #1
- key fob opens doors & remote starts (A8)
- not locked while in storage
- no apparent issues

Corvette #2
- not locked while in storage
- will not remote start & will not push button start (fob not recognized)
- push button starts when the key fob is inserted in the steering column
- a multiple occurrence (not just one time)

Corvette #3
- always locked in storage & with all security features activated
- key fob will not open the doors
- (edit to add that) door pad won't work
- have to use manual driver door access thru the back hatch
- alarm sounds until key fob is put into the steering column
- as key fob is in the steering column - push button starts with no problem.
- a multiple occurrence (not just one time)

Now ... once the two cars start up and run for a while, I turn everything off
and use the remotes to lock & unlock - and it's as if nothing is an issue.

So question is, Should I consider key fob battery replacements first ?
(as I don't want to have anyone fiddle with the key fobs unless I really have to)
Or would this perhaps just be an abnominally due to unheated storage ?
Or it is what it is ... consider it a new normal ?
Or ... ???

... other than perhaps I may just need way more C7s to work with :angelic:
posting this in the event that someone may have similar experience in the future.
Thx
 
Last edited:
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I don't lock mine, nor set the alarm over winter. First time out, last month, I got in fine, lights also worked fine, hit the go button, and nothing. Dash lit up telling me "key fob low battery". I replaced it, and went for a ride.
Haven't checked fob 2.
Car is 2017.

Edit....just reread your dilemma......#3 should be accessible with the door handle / opener pad thingy, unless the car's battery is low.
 
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AxeZ06 said:
I don't lock mine, nor set the alarm over winter. First time out, last month, I got in fine, lights also worked fine, hit the go button, and nothing. Dash lit up telling me "key fob low battery". I replaced it, and went for a ride.
Haven't checked fob 2.
Car is 2017.
Click to expand...
Ok ... thx ...
there is no "key fob battery low" messages in both cases #2 & #3
(real good to know that a message will actually display for that)
... next ...
 
After re-reading.....
#1 is good.....no action required.
#2 seems to only need a 2032 fob battery....
#3 I'm unsure if you can get in it using the driver's or pass door pad thing? But it starts once in? Ok. If the door pad doo hickey lets you enter, it's the fob battery on #3 also.
 
SN-III said:
Hello,
... not a hypothetical situation ...
I have issues with 2 of 3 C7 Corvettes (2016 & two 2017s) ...
All while in Winter Storage
All 3 full-time on GM battery maintainers.
All 3 in an unheated Garage

Corvette #1
- key fob opens doors & remote starts (A8)
- not locked while in storage
- no apparent issues

Corvette #2
- not locked while in storage
- will not remote start & will not push button start (fob not recognized)
- push button starts when the key fob is inserted in the steering column
- a multiple occurrence (not just one time)

Corvette #3
- always locked in storage & with all security features activated
- key fob will not open the doors
- have to use manual driver door access thru the back hatch
- alarm sounds until key fob is put into the steering column
- as key fob is in the steering column - push button starts with no problem.
- a multiple occurrence (not just one time)

Now ... once the two cars start up and run for a while, I turn everything off
and use the remotes to lock & unlock - and it's as if nothing is an issue.

So question is, Should I consider key fob battery replacements first ?
(as I don't want to fiddle with the key fobs unless I really have to)
Or would this perhaps just be an abnominally due to unheated storage ?
Or it is what it is ... consider it a new normal ?
Or ... ???

... other than perhaps I may just need more C7s to work with :angelic:
posting this in the event that someone may have similar experience in the future.
Thx
Click to expand...

I would try changing the batteries first Spence. It's easy to do and there's instructions in the owners manual how to open the key fob. Note... you don't need a hammer...lol.... You just pull the hidden key out and there's a little pry notch on the fob... If I remember correctly, it takes a 2032 battery. If that doesn't work, they may need to be reprogrammed. I think that's explained in the manual as well. I see I'ma little late with this reply...lol That's what I get for being long winded... :Biggrin:
 
AxeZ06 said:
After re-reading.....
#1 is good.....no action required.
#2 seems to only need a 2032 fob battery....
#3 I'm unsure if you can get in it using the driver's or pass door pad thing? But it starts once in? Ok. If the door pad doo hickey lets you enter, it's the fob battery on #3 also.
Click to expand...
#3 ... door pad will not work (edit to add that in original post - thx)
But works after trying it again after the start up and running after a while
 
Last edited:
Rruuff Day said:
I would try changing the batteries first Spence. It's easy to do and there's instructions in the owners manual how to open the key fob. Note... you don't need a hammer...lol.... You just pull the hidden key out and there's a little pry notch on the fob... If I remember correctly, it takes a 2032 battery. If that doesn't work, they may need to be reprogrammed. I think that's explained in the manual as well. I see I'ma little late with this reply...lol That's what I get for being long winded... :Biggrin:
Click to expand...
The battery is as I first thought ... however ...
until the issue did not repeat after I tried it again
after running the vehicles turning everything off,
locking up... then redoing the procedure
and finding the retry is without anything concerning.

It re-occurs after the cars sit for another month.
So strange ... and trying to resort to a process of deduction
without dismantling anything unless/until necessary.
 
SN-III said:
The battery is as I first thought ... however ...
until the issue did not repeat after I tried it again
after running the vehicles turning everything off,
locking up... then redoing the procedure
and finding the retry is without anything concerning.

It re-occurs after the cars sit for another month.
So strange ... and trying to resort to a process of deduction
without dismantling anything unless/until necessary.
Click to expand...


When my battery failed, it wouldn't open the door lock. Tried several times and then went right up to the window and it did work after pushing the button several times. Tried my second key fob and it worked fine from a distance every time. I didn't insert the fob in the steering column as I had spare batteries anyway. Just changed it and all was good. Not saying that's your problem but it's an easy place to start.
 
AxeZ06 said:
#3....volt meter / amp meter to the recue.
Check voltage drop on startup.
Click to expand...
... ok ... that'll be on the recommended to-do when the car is in use

in the meantime 😇 🤣
45F3E07E-38FC-4E4B-BB85-95965D9FE985.jpeg
 
SN-III said:
Ok ... thx ...
there is no "key fob battery low" messages in both cases #2 & #3
(real good to know that a message will actually display for that)
... next ...
Click to expand...
This is too ironic / funny. Just went out briefly in my ridgeline......"Info Warning" thing on my dash showed pic of a fob, with a battery level graph bar, mine showing 'low'. Lifetime first in any honda. I don't know if the vet has a 'battery level' because it was sitting since nov, and didn't turn over. The honda started with the push button.
Just put a fresh battery in now....lol
 
AxeZ06 said:
This is too ironic / funny. Just went out briefly in my ridgeline......"Info Warning" thing on my dash showed pic of a fob, with a battery level graph bar, mine showing 'low'. Lifetime first in any honda. I don't know if the vet has a 'battery level' because it was sitting since nov, and didn't turn over. The honda started with the push button.
Just put a fresh battery in now....lol
Click to expand...
Sorry ... made you look
 
OK Corvette #2 has apparently been resolved ... WOW
Both Key Fobs needed a New Battery.

I was not playing the odds with Corvette #2
of thinking that both batteries in both fobs
could not have failed at the same time
but replacing them did the trick ... :thumbs:

Now on to Corvette #3 ...
I have the fob for Corvette #3
with a new battery and will update
next time I use it - it's 300kms away.
This had a strange resolve as the
fob worked just fine after the car
started up and ran for a few minutes.
Then a month later, the fob did not work again.
So I will see how it receives a fob
with a replaced battery in a few weeks.
 
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Cariboocreek said:
Lets take Corvette #3 for a quick rip. I was thinking a little Dukes of Hazard stuff on some back country roads. I am sure we could find a bridge to jump.
Click to expand...

I agree.... Corvette #3 definitely deserves to get out and play. Even with stabilizer, that gas is getting old... Fill her up/open her up/grab a couple photo radar tickets...and don't forget to video it all and send the show overseas.... :rofl:
 
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