Question about key - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

RedVictory · 06-20-2012, 09:24 PM

Hi guys, quick question about a key I just bought on eBay.

It was an extra key from someone who sold there camaro, already programmed but in like new condition.

I Installed the blade from my old damaged key onto the new one and tried to reprogram it with the car but it did not work.

My question is can you reprogram a key thats from another car or can you only program a new blank key?

Also what is the preferred method (just to be sure I'm doing this correctly)

And if it's not asking to much can someone tell me the cheapest place to buy a blank key if need be.

Thanks!!!

2xSSRS · 06-20-2012, 09:44 PM

I don't think you can copy the key because it's two sided and most places don't have those types of keys or the equipment to make a copy.
Also, because of the remote start, I believe, not 100 percent sure, but I believe there's a code in the key that has to be uploaded by the dealer. I don't think the new key can " learn" from the car.

RedVictory · 06-20-2012, 09:49 PM

I am Reusing the blade from my original key, no need to cut anything.

based on the searching I did it seems you can reprogram the actual electronics yourself with Only the car.

2xSSRS · 06-20-2012, 09:53 PM

Ok. Well then I'm out of ideas. Maybe there's someone out ther who has tried it before.

Mr_Draco · 06-20-2012, 09:55 PM

I don't know if you can reprogram keys form another car yourself. You can try the procedure to programming new keys. Please not this is the only procedure that is available to the public. If this doesn't work then you will have to go to a dealer and pay them to do it. Most dealer charge $50-$60 to do this.

1) Put in the old key (the one that currently works) and turn to the "on" position. Do not start the car.

2) Quickly remove the old key and put in the new key and turn it to the "on" position. You have to be fast, you only have a few seconds to do this.

3) Leave the new key in the "on" position and you should see a message in the DIC saying "new key programmed".

Whole procedure takes about 10-15 seconds.

New keys have to be ordered through a dealer and come cut from GM for your vehicle. I don't know of any place that sales blanks. The cost of new keys precut to your vehicle is $50 if you have remote start and $40 if you don't.

RedVictory · 06-21-2012, 09:38 AM

Well i have called a few local dealerships, it seems the consensus is that an already programmed key cannot be re-programmed. I guess i will just have to buy a brand new key and start over.

RedVictory · 06-21-2012, 09:52 AM

just did, found nothing....

Sir Nuke · 06-21-2012, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Draco

I don't know if you can reprogram keys form another car yourself. You can try the procedure to programming new keys. Please not this is the only procedure that is available to the public. If this doesn't work then you will have to go to a dealer and pay them to do it. Most dealer charge $50-$60 to do this.

1) Put in the old key (the one that currently works) and turn to the "on" position. Do not start the car.

2) Quickly remove the old key and put in the new key and turn it to the "on" position. You have to be fast, you only have a few seconds to do this.

3) Leave the new key in the "on" position and you should see a message in the DIC saying "new key programmed".

Whole procedure takes about 10-15 seconds.

New keys have to be ordered through a dealer and come cut from GM for your vehicle. I don't know of any place that sales blanks. The cost of new keys precut to your vehicle is $50 if you have remote start and $40 if you don't.

RedVictory......give this a try.....as its a NORNAL way this can be done with new keys......give it a shot, it won't hurt.

RedVictory · 06-21-2012, 12:52 PM

That's the process I tried last night, I was able to start the car for a second then it died. Also the remote did not work. I got no message on the dic either.

akCamaross · 06-21-2012, 12:55 PM

gotta go to dealership, they had to program it there.

Ringo64 · 06-21-2012, 01:01 PM

Even with it being you "key blade", you're probably going to have to contact a dealer or GM to get the fob re-programmed. Would think there would definitely be a way, whether its cheaper than buying a blank one or not would be the question

Gunnie21 · 06-21-2012, 07:47 PM

I have found out the hard way that you CANNOT reprogram a used key. I bought one off of ebay for like 30$ and had it cut to my car. It started my car once but the light for the security came on and then stayed on till i shut the car off. I did take it to the dealership asking why it would not program they did not know why it wouldn't. They said that they could reprogram the key but they would have to reprogram the dash and the original key that i already had. ( the quote was 2 hours of labor for the mechanics). I was actually able to return the key over ebay and get my money back due to the fact that the seller never notified my that i could not reprogram a used key. Instead of taking shortcuts, i would recommend just ordering one from the dealer. They charged me a total of 55$ and it was precut according to the VIN number. I hope that more people read this that was they can learn from my mistakes.LOL

tomlink · 06-21-2012, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunnie21

I hope that more people read this that was they can learn from my mistakes.LOL

Noted.

It is a shame that the car companies have forced us to use their service departments for something as trivial as this. Several times I have bought fobs on ebay and programmed them (other cars).

Thanks for the heads up!

RedVictory · 06-22-2012, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunnie21

I have found out the hard way that you CANNOT reprogram a used key. I bought one off of ebay for like 30$ and had it cut to my car. It started my car once but the light for the security came on and then stayed on till i shut the car off. I did take it to the dealership asking why it would not program they did not know why it wouldn't. They said that they could reprogram the key but they would have to reprogram the dash and the original key that i already had. ( the quote was 2 hours of labor for the mechanics). I was actually able to return the key over ebay and get my money back due to the fact that the seller never notified my that i could not reprogram a used key. Instead of taking shortcuts, i would recommend just ordering one from the dealer. They charged me a total of 55$ and it was precut according to the VIN number. I hope that more people read this that was they can learn from my mistakes.LOL

Well that settles it. I guess I need a new key.
Unfortunatly for me gmpartshouse is closed until Monday.

06-20-2012, 09:24 PM	#1
RedVictory Luv my LS3 Drives: Summit White 2010 2SS/RS M6 LS3 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: East Coast Posts: 296	Question about key Hi guys, quick question about a key I just bought on eBay. It was an extra key from someone who sold there camaro, already programmed but in like new condition. I Installed the blade from my old damaged key onto the new one and tried to reprogram it with the car but it did not work. My question is can you reprogram a key thats from another car or can you only program a new blank key? Also what is the preferred method (just to be sure I'm doing this correctly) And if it's not asking to much can someone tell me the cheapest place to buy a blank key if need be. Thanks!!!

06-20-2012, 09:44 PM	#2
2xSSRS Drives: 2017 SS Black on Black A8 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 974	I don't think you can copy the key because it's two sided and most places don't have those types of keys or the equipment to make a copy. Also, because of the remote start, I believe, not 100 percent sure, but I believe there's a code in the key that has to be uploaded by the dealer. I don't think the new key can " learn" from the car. __________________

06-20-2012, 09:53 PM	#4
2xSSRS Drives: 2017 SS Black on Black A8 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 974	Ok. Well then I'm out of ideas. Maybe there's someone out ther who has tried it before. __________________

06-21-2012, 12:55 PM	#10
akCamaross Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS Join Date: May 2012 Location: Huntingtown, Maryland Posts: 423	gotta go to dealership, they had to program it there. __________________ 2011 Camaro 2SS - SIM - M6 + Mods haha

06-21-2012, 01:01 PM	#11
Ringo64 Forever Pontiac Drives: 2012 Black 2SS/RS Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 1,389	Even with it being you "key blade", you're probably going to have to contact a dealer or GM to get the fob re-programmed. Would think there would definitely be a way, whether its cheaper than buying a blank one or not would be the question __________________ Progression thread My Camaro's Grrgd

06-20-2012, 09:49 PM	#3
RedVictory Luv my LS3 Drives: Summit White 2010 2SS/RS M6 LS3 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: East Coast Posts: 296	I am Reusing the blade from my original key, no need to cut anything. based on the searching I did it seems you can reprogram the actual electronics yourself with Only the car.

06-20-2012, 09:55 PM	#5
Mr_Draco Drives: 2SS/RS Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 7,344	I don't know if you can reprogram keys form another car yourself. You can try the procedure to programming new keys. Please not this is the only procedure that is available to the public. If this doesn't work then you will have to go to a dealer and pay them to do it. Most dealer charge $50-$60 to do this. 1) Put in the old key (the one that currently works) and turn to the "on" position. Do not start the car. 2) Quickly remove the old key and put in the new key and turn it to the "on" position. You have to be fast, you only have a few seconds to do this. 3) Leave the new key in the "on" position and you should see a message in the DIC saying "new key programmed". Whole procedure takes about 10-15 seconds. New keys have to be ordered through a dealer and come cut from GM for your vehicle. I don't know of any place that sales blanks. The cost of new keys precut to your vehicle is $50 if you have remote start and $40 if you don't.

06-21-2012, 09:38 AM	#6
RedVictory Luv my LS3 Drives: Summit White 2010 2SS/RS M6 LS3 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: East Coast Posts: 296	Well i have called a few local dealerships, it seems the consensus is that an already programmed key cannot be re-programmed. I guess i will just have to buy a brand new key and start over.

06-21-2012, 09:52 AM	#7
RedVictory Luv my LS3 Drives: Summit White 2010 2SS/RS M6 LS3 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: East Coast Posts: 296	just did, found nothing....

06-21-2012, 12:52 PM	#9
RedVictory Luv my LS3 Drives: Summit White 2010 2SS/RS M6 LS3 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: East Coast Posts: 296	That's the process I tried last night, I was able to start the car for a second then it died. Also the remote did not work. I got no message on the dic either.

06-21-2012, 07:47 PM	#12
Gunnie21 Jarvis Drives: 2010 Camaro 1LT Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Evansville IN Posts: 23	I have found out the hard way that you CANNOT reprogram a used key. I bought one off of ebay for like 30$ and had it cut to my car. It started my car once but the light for the security came on and then stayed on till i shut the car off. I did take it to the dealership asking why it would not program they did not know why it wouldn't. They said that they could reprogram the key but they would have to reprogram the dash and the original key that i already had. ( the quote was 2 hours of labor for the mechanics). I was actually able to return the key over ebay and get my money back due to the fact that the seller never notified my that i could not reprogram a used key. Instead of taking shortcuts, i would recommend just ordering one from the dealer. They charged me a total of 55$ and it was precut according to the VIN number. I hope that more people read this that was they can learn from my mistakes.LOL