KEY/FOB NEED HELP ASAP, IMMOBILIZER MODE ON CANT START CAR - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

2nastySS · 06-27-2017, 08:41 PM

OK. So my one and only key and key fob (old switchblade style, never did the recall)I have for my 2010 SS. The unlock button on the fob has been worn down and finally collapsed leaving a hole in the fob where the unlock button should be. Went to go play football for an hr or so and it rained, getting some water inside the fob.

I go to start my car and it won't start. Not even try and crank over. My battery isn't dead I'm getting normal voltage from the gauges so it's not the car battery. I can turn key into the "ON" position and use the radio, windows, wipers, lights, etc with no issue but can't start the car. I get no fault codes or anti theft message on the DIC and I also notice when putting the ignition in "ON" that the only light that won't go away is the immobilizer system light.

So the only thought I have is that water messed something up in the key fob and because of that tripped the immobilizer. I dry it out with paper towels and air and after a while the car finally starts so I go straight home.

I get a blank key/fob from a buddy of mine and try the reprogram instructions provided at the beginning of this thread (nothing happened after cycling on/off with unlock button held and both fob batteries are fresh) as well as reading and trying every single post in this thread, nothing worked. Note I am only using the one key I have, and even pulled the battery out of the old fob to see if the old fob was interfering with the new one somehow.

I called the Chevy dealer and they told me that if the fob gets damaged it cannot send a signal to the car and will engage the immobilizer system so the car can't be started with just the key without the fob programmed to it.

I can't think of anything else to fix this and don't want to pay out the @$$ for the dealer to cut and program me a new key, on the possibility that isn't even the problem.

Any advice or help is much appreciated because I am beyond frustrated at why I can't get this issue resolved with all the resources I've seen here on the forums. Car currently will not start.

Bobs of FL · 07-12-2017, 11:39 AM

When I went to my local dealership a year or so ago to get a copy of my key made, it was only about $75. That doesn't help your situation but at least your wallet won't take as big of a his as you thought. Have you tried youtube for a solution? Sounds like that key fob might just be done for.

TheFlyingBananaSS · 07-14-2017, 08:36 AM

I would of had a back up fob made once I saw the original was nearing it's life span.

Gene69 · 07-17-2017, 01:39 PM

Hello All, I know this is an Old post, but I was at AUTOZONE yesterday and I see that they now are carrying replacement FOBS for Camaro and a lot of other cars and trucks. The cost is like $55 or so in VA. I think the dealerships are charging at least $100 or more. I also did not do the recall because I did not want to give up my switchblade style key. Looking at the box it seems to be pretty easy to program. You don't need a working FOB for the car to program the replacement. It looks like you plug something into the ECM at the bottom of the dash and program it that way. As soon as mine comes in, I will update this post with some photos and more info.

Kessler · 07-23-2017, 08:01 PM

tagged

06-27-2017, 08:41 PM	#1
2nastySS Emerald Coast Camaros Drives: '10 Camaro 2SS, '94 Camaro Z/28 Join Date: May 2015 Location: Fort Walton Beach, FL Posts: 99 View My Garage	KEY/FOB NEED HELP ASAP, IMMOBILIZER MODE ON CANT START CAR OK. So my one and only key and key fob (old switchblade style, never did the recall)I have for my 2010 SS. The unlock button on the fob has been worn down and finally collapsed leaving a hole in the fob where the unlock button should be. Went to go play football for an hr or so and it rained, getting some water inside the fob. I go to start my car and it won't start. Not even try and crank over. My battery isn't dead I'm getting normal voltage from the gauges so it's not the car battery. I can turn key into the "ON" position and use the radio, windows, wipers, lights, etc with no issue but can't start the car. I get no fault codes or anti theft message on the DIC and I also notice when putting the ignition in "ON" that the only light that won't go away is the immobilizer system light. So the only thought I have is that water messed something up in the key fob and because of that tripped the immobilizer. I dry it out with paper towels and air and after a while the car finally starts so I go straight home. I get a blank key/fob from a buddy of mine and try the reprogram instructions provided at the beginning of this thread (nothing happened after cycling on/off with unlock button held and both fob batteries are fresh) as well as reading and trying every single post in this thread, nothing worked. Note I am only using the one key I have, and even pulled the battery out of the old fob to see if the old fob was interfering with the new one somehow. I called the Chevy dealer and they told me that if the fob gets damaged it cannot send a signal to the car and will engage the immobilizer system so the car can't be started with just the key without the fob programmed to it. I can't think of anything else to fix this and don't want to pay out the @$$ for the dealer to cut and program me a new key, on the possibility that isn't even the problem. Any advice or help is much appreciated because I am beyond frustrated at why I can't get this issue resolved with all the resources I've seen here on the forums. Car currently will not start. Attached Images __________________ JBA Titanium Ceramic Longtubes / K&N Typhoon CAI / Magnaflow catless true straightpipes / Dark Argent Heritage Grille/black lower The list keeps growing faster than my wallet...

07-12-2017, 11:39 AM	#2
Bobs of FL Drives: 2010 2SS Black/IOM Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 108	When I went to my local dealership a year or so ago to get a copy of my key made, it was only about $75. That doesn't help your situation but at least your wallet won't take as big of a his as you thought. Have you tried youtube for a solution? Sounds like that key fob might just be done for. __________________ K&N Cold Air Intake, Kooks 1 7/8" LT +High Flow Cats, American Thunder Flowmaster exhaust, tune from JRE, lowered 1" with BMR springs

07-14-2017, 08:36 AM	#3
TheFlyingBananaSS Evil Genius of Chevrolet Drives: 2017 Z06, 2019 XTS, 2013 SS Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: New York Posts: 3,260	I would of had a back up fob made once I saw the original was nearing it's life span. __________________ GPI SS2 VVT cam, ECS Novi 1500 supercharger, Corsa Extreme, Detroit Speed and BMR suspension, Circle D triple disc, Melling oil pump, LS2 chain tensioner, ATI 10% UD, DSX E85 kit, High Energy coils, BTR springs, LS2 Lifter trays, Titanium retainers, hardened push rods, FIC 1000 injectors, ZL1 pump, Mighty Mouse catch can, AEM gauges, Tial BOV, Richmond 3.91 gears, Custom gauge bezels, Speed Engineering headers, Stainless Works HF cats, DSX Aux pump, 710rwhp on E85.

07-17-2017, 01:39 PM	#4
Gene69 1 BAD MONKEY Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS with RS package Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Chesterfield,VA Posts: 10 View My Garage	KEY FOB ISSUES Hello All, I know this is an Old post, but I was at AUTOZONE yesterday and I see that they now are carrying replacement FOBS for Camaro and a lot of other cars and trucks. The cost is like $55 or so in VA. I think the dealerships are charging at least $100 or more. I also did not do the recall because I did not want to give up my switchblade style key. Looking at the box it seems to be pretty easy to program. You don't need a working FOB for the car to program the replacement. It looks like you plug something into the ECM at the bottom of the dash and program it that way. As soon as mine comes in, I will update this post with some photos and more info.

07-23-2017, 08:01 PM	#5
Kessler Drives: 2012 IOM 2LT RS A6 w/ BA Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Central Valley, Ca Posts: 123	tagged __________________ ToDones - Apex Scoop & Washer Relocate - CAI cai - Elite CC - Elite Clean Side Separator - MRT v1 Axle Back customized w/ J-Pipes - Black Out Headlight/Tail Light - Black Out BowTies - Black Out 'camaro' - Black Out Brake Light Chrome Bezel - JL Audio XD400/4 - Sub Thump Sub Box 2 DVC 10"s - HIFONICS ZEUS 1000.1 Escort Redline - VIOFO Dash Cam - Continental Extreme Contact Tires Gary's Customs ZL1 Front Bumper, ZL1 Rockers, & ZL1 Spoiler - Paint matched IOM OverKill 80mm T-body - JacFab Ported Intake Manifold - JacFab Extendolator 3/4" Spacer ToDos - Tune?