This is my own fault
 

My 2009 Silverado is basically a company truck and as such no one ever knows where the keys are. Last week we were down to one functioning key and no door opener/key fobs, so I drove the 12 miles to the Chevy dealer to get them. I got a key, but they didn't have a new key fob so I had them order one.
Today parts dept called to say the key fob came in so I went to pick it up. $79 plus tax - no returns No one there would tell me how to program it, so I made an appointment to go back (another 24 mile round trip) to get it programmed by the service dept.
I came home thinking this isn't rocket science so I looked it up on line. I not only found out you can program it in about 30 seconds but also discovered you can buy these things all day long on Amazon for $20. Aaarrrrrgh!

Next time I'll do my research FIRST.


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I did the same thing with my tacoma key. Same $80.

Been there. Done that.

Not with a fob but a couple of other "specialty" items that get churned out like chiclets somewhere in China, then get posted on ebay for a pittance plus free shipping.....

Do'h!

Yup, easy to program those! We bought a truck without fobs. $40 later had two working fobs and remote start!

This a good site for doing what you needed done.
Free Keyless Remote Fob Entry programming instructions, procedures for all automotive vehicles
Here is a link to purchase chipped keys. Replace Your Keyless Entry Remote & Car Key Fobs

Dave

just another overpriced item like many others

Porsche wanted $300 for a new fob for my 997. Robbery.

Yeah, I've had a couple, so I should have known.
Tundra front roll bar links - $50 each from Toyota, $19 a pair on eBay (thanks to a Pelican for that tip). Trunk lid struts for my Z-3, $50 from BMW, $20 from our host. Same manufacturer, same manufacturer's part number.
It pays to do your research.

Was this meant for the "First World Problrms" thread?

;-)

Sorry.....iPhone....no green font.

I only have one fob for my 993 and it sucks... On another note, while trying to fix a windshield leak on my 02 Tundra, I found 4 FOB's in a plastic bag, taped behind my glovebox!!!

A lot of these cheap fobs come with sub-par batteries that expire in only months. It's worth exchanging for a name brand before programming to save hassle.

Both my parent's fobs for their '04 Suburban died. It was nothing cracking them open and cleaning the contacts with IPA couldn't fix.

Huh???

If you peel open an evil bay fob, there is a generic, no name battery inside. That generic battery lasts 1/10th as long as an energizer replacement that can be had from the rack at the checkout in Walmart for $4.

Sadly there's no cheap alternative for that.

There is hope... Write the team at ross-tech.com and ask them to develop and release the Porsche interface. We've had tricks for the brand cousins for years that use nearly identical fobs.

OK. Thanks!

Best to have good batteries in stuff that matters, key fobs, garage door openers. Seems like that stuff always takes a dump when it is hailing golf balls.

I programmed a key for my car without too much trouble. Did a bit of research, and discovered that since I had two keys, I could program a third without a problem. If, I only had one key it would have been $150, on top of the price of the key, and getting the blank key cut. Still was $75 for a key, which seems a bit much, even if it has a microchip in it.

Personally, I don't have any issue with car keys being difficult to duplicate.

There should be a paper trail.

Another example:

Fan switch on the left came from the fan retailer. It says "Fanimation" on the front and "Westinghouse" on the back - $49.95.
The one on the right came from a Westinghouse retailer. It only says Westinghouse on the back. Same part number - $19.95.

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The key batteries for '04 BMW are charged every time you have the key inserted in the ignition. Amazingly, eleven years later, both keys are still working fine.

I have carried the very same car keys for 20 years. I still can't find the dang battery. Where does it go?

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Not so on my 2011 3 series I bought used in November. The "spare" key apparently was never used as it was a 1 driver car. Twice my wife has gone to use the key and it won't even unlock the door. And these have the internal non-replaceable battery.