Help - Need to get a new key and fob - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Rulerof52 · 09-30-2016, 11:42 AM

Hey everyone,
I recently had a bag stolen that had my 2013 2lt Camaro keys inside. Thankfully i had a spare key (no fob) that my brother drove out to me. But now i need to get another key and fob. I called my nearest dealer, and they want about $50 for the key, $50 for programming, and $75 for the fob. I'm sure there's a cheaper way to do this.

I read a few posts on these forums (http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93145) saying that the key is easily programmable, and you can buy it from Ebay or a similar site. Something about inserting the old key, turning the car on, turning it off, and quickly inserting the new key, and turning the car on. However i have a few questions.

Will this process work if i don't currently have the fob? All i have is the key blade.
I have the remote start capability on my Camaro. Will the programming set up remote start as well, assuming my key has the button?
Where do you recommend buying the key and fob? I usually shy away from Ebay and prefer more reputable retailers..

Thanks in advance for helping me with this noob question.

tjk_art · 09-30-2016, 11:56 AM

I would be sure to get the car locks changed completely so that the keys that were stolen don't find their way back to your vehicle...

Rulerof52 · 09-30-2016, 01:00 PM

Thankfully i was far from my home when the keys got stolen so i'm sure there's no way they could find my car.

TangoMike · 09-30-2016, 01:26 PM

Key, and separate fob? I thought they all had the remote built into the key?

I paid about $50 for mine. That was it. And to program it, they told me what to do, and to do it before I left. And if I had a problem to ask for help.
I'd say go somewhere else if they want $50 to take 15 seconds to program it.

CamaroFred · 09-30-2016, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rulerof52

Hey everyone,
I recently had a bag stolen that had my 2013 2lt Camaro keys inside. Thankfully i had a spare key (no fob) that my brother drove out to me. But now i need to get another key and fob. I called my nearest dealer, and they want about $50 for the key, $50 for programming, and $75 for the fob. I'm sure there's a cheaper way to do this.

I read a few posts on these forums (http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93145) saying that the key is easily programmable, and you can buy it from Ebay or a similar site. Something about inserting the old key, turning the car on, turning it off, and quickly inserting the new key, and turning the car on. However i have a few questions.

Will this process work if i don't currently have the fob? All i have is the key blade.
I have the remote start capability on my Camaro. Will the programming set up remote start as well, assuming my key has the button?
Where do you recommend buying the key and fob? I usually shy away from Ebay and prefer more reputable retailers..

Thanks in advance for helping me with this noob question.

It should work for the key, but I don't know how you would program the remote. If you do have the dealer do it he can disable your missing key and remote.

Rulerof52 · 09-30-2016, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TangoMike

Key, and separate fob? I thought they all had the remote built into the key?

If i understand this correctly, the Camaro keys were originally a switchblade style where the key was built into the fob. However due to a recall (people would hit their knee on the key/fob and turn off the engine while driving) dealers had to separate the key from the fob.

Dragonman · 09-30-2016, 01:41 PM

Not really sure but I think it was in 2013 where they stopped the key on the fob thing. Several folks were having trouble with knees hitting the key fob and breaking off in the ignition or shutting off the car while in motion. Think there was a big recall for it on the 2010-2012 model years. My 2015 keys are separate from the remote fob. I'm good with that. The fob stays in my pocket and the only thing in the ignition is the key with nothing dangling from it.

ninja'ed ^

Other than what's in the manual, doesn't really say anything about programming a remote fob, just the key, I don't really know of any after market solutions to replacement keys and fobs. Sorry.

Yknjack · 09-30-2016, 01:48 PM

I programed a new remote from just the key but the remote I bought was just one number off and the remote start does not work. You should check out a site provided by Camguynj:
Here's the link to the Strattec key site. Most up to date and searchable by yr & model. Once you find the key/fob for yr & model it then shows the specific On Board programming instructions.

http://aftermarket.strattec.com/key.php?q=Chevrolet

Rock-It Man · 09-30-2016, 01:56 PM

You should have the dealer do it, so that the old key cannot start the car. You don't need to have the locks physically swapped, just new keys programmed. That will cancel out the old keys.

TangoMike · 10-01-2016, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rulerof52

If i understand this correctly, the Camaro keys were originally a switchblade style where the key was built into the fob. However due to a recall (people would hit their knee on the key/fob and turn off the engine while driving) dealers had to separate the key from the fob.

Strange. I guess I'm lucky because my dealership gave me a switchblade.

Anyway, in that case that means the OP is still getting ripped off. $50 for just the key when it's the same for the key/remote combo?

CamaroFred · 10-01-2016, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TangoMike

Strange. I guess I'm lucky because my dealership gave me a switchblade.

Anyway, in that case that means the OP is still getting ripped off. $50 for just the key when it's the same for the key/remote combo?

It does seem expensive. Before the recall I bought a switchblade from my dealer with the key cut for $85. I guess his dealer is using MSRP.

When I bought a new remote for my wife's Pontiac they charged $18 to program it.

09-30-2016, 11:42 AM	#1
Rulerof52 Drives: 2013 Chevrolet Camaro 2LT RS Join Date: May 2015 Location: California Posts: 9	Help - Need to get a new key and fob Hey everyone, I recently had a bag stolen that had my 2013 2lt Camaro keys inside. Thankfully i had a spare key (no fob) that my brother drove out to me. But now i need to get another key and fob. I called my nearest dealer, and they want about $50 for the key, $50 for programming, and $75 for the fob. I'm sure there's a cheaper way to do this. I read a few posts on these forums (http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93145) saying that the key is easily programmable, and you can buy it from Ebay or a similar site. Something about inserting the old key, turning the car on, turning it off, and quickly inserting the new key, and turning the car on. However i have a few questions. Will this process work if i don't currently have the fob? All i have is the key blade. I have the remote start capability on my Camaro. Will the programming set up remote start as well, assuming my key has the button? Where do you recommend buying the key and fob? I usually shy away from Ebay and prefer more reputable retailers.. Thanks in advance for helping me with this noob question.

09-30-2016, 01:41 PM	#7
Dragonman Drives: 2015 1LT OBE Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: KY Posts: 509 View My Garage	Not really sure but I think it was in 2013 where they stopped the key on the fob thing. Several folks were having trouble with knees hitting the key fob and breaking off in the ignition or shutting off the car while in motion. Think there was a big recall for it on the 2010-2012 model years. My 2015 keys are separate from the remote fob. I'm good with that. The fob stays in my pocket and the only thing in the ignition is the key with nothing dangling from it. ninja'ed ^ Other than what's in the manual, doesn't really say anything about programming a remote fob, just the key, I don't really know of any after market solutions to replacement keys and fobs. Sorry. Attached Images __________________ _______-2015 1LT JUSTICE----------------------------------1997 B12-___________ Last edited by Dragonman; 09-30-2016 at 01:49 PM. Reason: add a pic

09-30-2016, 11:56 AM	#2
tjk_art Drives: 2010 Join Date: May 2010 Location: US Posts: 1,661	I would be sure to get the car locks changed completely so that the keys that were stolen don't find their way back to your vehicle...

09-30-2016, 01:00 PM	#3
Rulerof52 Drives: 2013 Chevrolet Camaro 2LT RS Join Date: May 2015 Location: California Posts: 9	Thankfully i was far from my home when the keys got stolen so i'm sure there's no way they could find my car.

09-30-2016, 01:26 PM	#4
TangoMike Drives: 2012 2ls RS V6 Auto Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Southern Alberta Posts: 86	Key, and separate fob? I thought they all had the remote built into the key? I paid about $50 for mine. That was it. And to program it, they told me what to do, and to do it before I left. And if I had a problem to ask for help. I'd say go somewhere else if they want $50 to take 15 seconds to program it.

09-30-2016, 01:48 PM	#8
Yknjack Yknjack Drives: 2014 Yellow RS Vert Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Seattle Posts: 36	I programed a new remote from just the key but the remote I bought was just one number off and the remote start does not work. You should check out a site provided by Camguynj: Here's the link to the Strattec key site. Most up to date and searchable by yr & model. Once you find the key/fob for yr & model it then shows the specific On Board programming instructions. http://aftermarket.strattec.com/key.php?q=Chevrolet

09-30-2016, 01:56 PM	#9
Rock-It Man 376 cubic inches of fun Drives: 2023 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MA Posts: 4,033 View My Garage	You should have the dealer do it, so that the old key cannot start the car. You don't need to have the locks physically swapped, just new keys programmed. That will cancel out the old keys.