This is my own fault

[wdfifteen]

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.

[vash]

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

[herr_oberst]

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!

[porsche4life]

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

[E38Driver]

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

[calimedeiros]

just another overpriced item like many others

[HardDrive]

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

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

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!

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.

[aap1966]

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

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

;-)

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

[yel911]

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!!!

[Lapkritis]

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.

[Scuba Steve]

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.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Lapkritis

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.

Huh???

[Lapkritis]

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.

[onewhippedpuppy]

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

Sadly there's no cheap alternative for that.

[Lapkritis]

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.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Lapkritis

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.

OK. Thanks!

[Tobra]

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.

[john70t]

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

There should be a paper trail.

[wdfifteen]

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.