Key FOB programmed itself?

[Benman]

2013 Camaro 2SS RS M6: When I bought the car I was given 2 keys that both worked for unlocking and starting the car, but I was given only 1 fob for unlocking the doors and trunk remotely. I recently bought a new key fob, I put the keys back on their fobs as originally done from the factory, switch blade style, I went through all the tips I could find on this and other sights to program the new fob, still couldn't get the fob to work. I put the new fob, with spare key, in the glove box, intending to taking the car to a locksmith to get the fob programmed, but have not done so as yet.

This weekend while doing some work on the car I disconnected the positive cable from the battery.

Yesterday I finished the work, reconnected the battery, and got in, leaving the drivers door open, and using the "original" fob with its key, started the engine, a message appeared in the DIC that read "Open and close the passengers window". I did as instructed, the message disappeared. After letting the engine idle for 30 seconds - 1minute I switched it off. For some reason I thought that message was odd and I reached in the glove box and removed the "new" fob with its key to see if it now worked. It is now working, fob unlocks doors and trunk, panic button works, key still starts the car. This is great, now I don't have to pay to have the fob programmed.
Unless I missed it, I never came across any information stating to disconnect the battery and reconnect to program a new key fob. I did find information both on this site and on the site where I bought the fob saying I would need either a locksmith or a dealer to program the new fob.

[hrpiii]

Originally Posted by Benman

2013 Camaro 2SS RS M6: When I bought the car I was given 2 keys that both worked for unlocking and starting the car, but I was given only 1 fob for unlocking the doors and trunk remotely. I recently bought a new key fob, I put the keys back on their fobs as originally done from the factory, switch blade style, I went through all the tips I could find on this and other sights to program the new fob, still couldn't get the fob to work. I put the new fob, with spare key, in the glove box, intending to taking the car to a locksmith to get the fob programmed, but have not done so as yet.

This weekend while doing some work on the car I disconnected the positive cable from the battery.

Yesterday I finished the work, reconnected the battery, and got in, leaving the drivers door open, and using the "original" fob with its key, started the engine, a message appeared in the DIC that read "Open and close the passengers window". I did as instructed, the message disappeared. After letting the engine idle for 30 seconds - 1minute I switched it off. For some reason I thought that message was odd and I reached in the glove box and removed the "new" fob with its key to see if it now worked. It is now working, fob unlocks doors and trunk, panic button works, key still starts the car. This is great, now I don't have to pay to have the fob programmed.
Unless I missed it, I never came across any information stating to disconnect the battery and reconnect to program a new key fob. I did find information both on this site and on the site where I bought the fob saying I would need either a locksmith or a dealer to program the new fob.

Great job. Apparently the ECM needed a "reboot" to get it working again. Could be something new to do when having issues reprogramming a new FOB. I have had to reprogram like 4 new fobs.. as the wife keeps losing keys.

[Benman]

Originally Posted by hrpiii

Great job. Apparently the ECM needed a "reboot" to get it working again. Could be something new to do when having issues reprogramming a new FOB. I have had to reprogram like 4 new fobs.. as the wife keeps losing keys.

What year model are you programming? The info I found said 2012 and newer had to be done by dealer/locksmith.

[hrpiii]

Originally Posted by Benman

What year model are you programming? The info I found said 2012 and newer had to be done by dealer/locksmith.

2010. And it's super easy to do. takes like 2 min. And I have done them all by myself, no locksmith

[LuSINda]

Originally Posted by Benman

"Open and close the passengers window"

This message comes up whenever the passenger or driver window need to realign themselves.

[Benman]

Originally Posted by LuSINda

This message comes up whenever the passenger or driver window need to realign themselves.

Good to know, it must not have had anything to do with fob programming then, but it did trigger me to check the spare fob. Thanks.

[hrpiii]

Originally Posted by Benman

Good to know, it must not have had anything to do with fob programming then, but it did trigger me to check the spare fob. Thanks.

probably not, but I have seen this with an interruption of power (like being serviced/upgrade when you disconnect the battery).

[Rocky1974]

Originally Posted by Benman

2013 Camaro 2SS RS M6: When I bought the car I was given 2 keys that both worked for unlocking and starting the car, but I was given only 1 fob for unlocking the doors and trunk remotely. I recently bought a new key fob, I put the keys back on their fobs as originally done from the factory, switch blade style, I went through all the tips I could find on this and other sights to program the new fob, still couldn't get the fob to work. I put the new fob, with spare key, in the glove box, intending to taking the car to a locksmith to get the fob programmed, but have not done so as yet.

This weekend while doing some work on the car I disconnected the positive cable from the battery.

Yesterday I finished the work, reconnected the battery, and got in, leaving the drivers door open, and using the "original" fob with its key, started the engine, a message appeared in the DIC that read "Open and close the passengers window". I did as instructed, the message disappeared. After letting the engine idle for 30 seconds - 1minute I switched it off. For some reason I thought that message was odd and I reached in the glove box and removed the "new" fob with its key to see if it now worked. It is now working, fob unlocks doors and trunk, panic button works, key still starts the car. This is great, now I don't have to pay to have the fob programmed.
Unless I missed it, I never came across any information stating to disconnect the battery and reconnect to program a new key fob. I did find information both on this site and on the site where I bought the fob saying I would need either a locksmith or a dealer to program the new fob.

That message you got is perfectly normal and you'll get it every time the battery is disconnected. When you disconnect the battery, the car loses it's window indexing programming and you have to do a relearn. But none of that has anything to with your key fob or it's functioning. I have a 2010 and I've programmed two extra switchblade fobs and the two recall keys. All that's necessary on mine is to have one functioning key. I start the car, turn it off, immediately insert a new key and turn it on. The car goes: "ding, ding, ding" and a message appears in the DIC telling me that a new key is programmed and how many total keys are programmed. I've not heard anything about this changing on the newer models. I have a buddy with a 2012 and he got his recall keys, just like I did. The Service Manager just gave him the two extra keys without him bringing the car or his fobs in. He never said anything about having to go to the dealer or a locksmith to program them. GM did remove the ability for you to do your own TPMS sensor relearn, without a tool, on the 2012's and up, though.

[Joecruiser]

Hey thanks Rocky...I was about to disconnect the battery.
I bought 2 Switchblade fobs from Amazon.
Drove the push/roll pin out of the new fobs, installed the original "cut" key.
I tried the sequence you posted and couldn't get it to start the engine.
All other functions work (stereo, windows etc.). I gave up a few months ago but will try again.

PS: Car key recall still open...still get GM postcards.

[Benman]

Originally Posted by Rocky1974

That message you got is perfectly normal and you'll get it every time the battery is disconnected. When you disconnect the battery, the car loses it's window indexing programming and you have to do a relearn. But none of that has anything to with your key fob or it's functioning. I have a 2010 and I've programmed two extra switchblade fobs and the two recall keys. All that's necessary on mine is to have one functioning key. I start the car, turn it off, immediately insert a new key and turn it on. The car goes: "ding, ding, ding" and a message appears in the DIC telling me that a new key is programmed and how many total keys are programmed. I've not heard anything about this changing on the newer models. I have a buddy with a 2012 and he got his recall keys, just like I did. The Service Manager just gave him the two extra keys without him bringing the car or his fobs in. He never said anything about having to go to the dealer or a locksmith to program them. GM did remove the ability for you to do your own TPMS sensor relearn, without a tool, on the 2012's and up, though.

If you search this site you will find the information stating on 2012 and newer models the car has to go to the dealer or a locksmith to program the fob, the actual key has nothing to do with the fob functions. Also the site where I bought the fob say it must go to the dealer to be programmed. I realize the message about the window had nothing to do with the fob starting to work, just passed along the information about disconnecting the battery for others who don't have a 2010-2011. BTW as I stated before, I did try the starting the car with old key method, and another method I found on this site, more than once I tried them, but they did not work on my car.