Key programming or pairing

[malibupaul]

The dealer replaced the body control module on my 2013 Camaro 2LS. I had my secondary key with the car. When I went to pickup the car, I tried to start it with my primary key. The dash lights illuminated but the engine wouldn’t fire. After three or more tries, it started, and has started the few times since. I asked the service writer if the keys had to be programmed or paired, and he said no. He said the no start situation was a fluke. I can’t believe that and wonder if I’ll have a no start situation again. Anyone have any input about this?

[TheBrightSide]

Wow, looks like no one replied. I completely forgot to chime in seeing this… However, you will want to try opening your key fob, at your own discretion, of course. I highly suggest even buying a spare generic key fob replacement or two while you’re at it (they’re relatively cheap and affordable, unless you want OEM). Depending on how old and used your original key blade fob is, it will probably be seized and want to break upon prying the two halves undone.

I mention this because I actually had an ignition issue, and I kept believing it to be fuses, relays, even the starter motor… which I replaced like an idiot (but upgraded ). I ended up thinking about the transponder chip on the actual key fob chipset, and I physically saw one of the tiny chips (not sure the exact terminology/part name) by the transponder chip, start coming un-soldered from the chip board.

I took my other 2 key blade fobs and the car immediately started, which led me to believe the key with the damaged chip set, was the cause of my ignition issues. The rest of the buttons on the damaged chip set worked (lock, unlock, trunk, panic). I’ve since kept that key blade fob as a spare key fob, but removed the key blade itself and kept it to the side as a spare emergency physical key (won’t work without another transponder directly next to it anyways).

Highly suggest you do that, or find and buy the physical turn keys with the built-in transponder chip. These are basically the turn keys that GM/Chevy issued, if you ever went to go get your original key blade fobs recall “fixed”. Lol I just simply prefer the key fobs, as they’re less of a hassle. However, I just kept one of my extra physical turn keys (with a transponder inside) with the damaged chipset key blade fob, as a 4th (or 5th) spare key now.

Highly recommend you get some cheap or OEM refurbished spare keys and/or key blade fobs. Your ECU (or whichever unit) can store up to 9 keys in the anti-theft system I believe. If you haven’t ever re-programmed a new key, keep your working factory key, or find some way to get someone to program a fresh new key for your car. You’ll need a working key to begin with, in order to even add/program new keys to your car.

[malibupaul]

Interesting. Thank you.