Is your 2008 Corvette key fob acting up, or did you get a new one that needs programming? You’re in the right place. Programming your Corvette key fob yourself can save you a trip to the dealership and some money. This guide provides comprehensive instructions for programming your 2008 Corvette key fobs, ensuring you can get back on the road quickly and confidently. Before we dive into the programming procedures, it’s crucial to test a part of your car you might not even know about: the glovebox fob slot.
Testing Your Glovebox Fob Slot: A Critical First Step
Many Corvette C6 owners are unaware of the glovebox fob slot’s existence, let alone its functionality. This slot is essential for key fob programming. Before attempting any programming, especially the long procedure, verifying the glovebox slot is working is vital. If the slot is faulty, you could erase all existing key fobs and be unable to program new ones, leaving your Corvette stranded.
To test your glovebox slot, follow these simple steps:
- Get in your Corvette and ensure the driver’s side window is fully down.
- Turn off the car completely.
- Unlock the car and open the trunk.
- Open the glove box.
- Place a working key fob (the one you currently use to drive the car) on the center console, near the shifter. Ensure no cell phones are inside the car, as they can interfere with the signal.
- Insert your key into the trunk keyhole and turn it five times rapidly (within 5 seconds).
- Observe the Driver Information Center (DIC). It should beep and display “Ready for Fob 3” or a similar message, indicating it’s in programming mode.
- Now, take a key fob that is already programmed to your Corvette and insert it into the glovebox slot. The fob should be inserted with the keyring end facing outwards and the buttons facing towards the passenger side.
- Watch the DIC display. If the glovebox slot is working correctly, the DIC will display “Known Fob”.
If you see “Known Fob”, your glovebox slot is functioning correctly, and you can proceed with fob programming. Press the bottom half of the start button to exit the programming session if you were just testing.
Important Note: If the DIC does not display “Known Fob” when you insert a working fob into the glovebox slot, the slot is not working. Do not proceed with the Long Programming Procedure as you risk losing all key fob functionality. In this case, you may need to investigate the glovebox slot antenna or seek professional assistance.
C6 Corvette Key Fob Short Programming Procedure (Adding a Fob)
Use this short procedure when you have at least one working key fob and want to add an additional fob to your 2008 Corvette system, or if you are testing the glovebox slot as described above.
- Ensure the driver’s window is down, the car is off, the trunk is unlocked and open, and the glove box is open.
- Place your currently working key fob on the center console.
- Insert the key into the trunk keyhole and turn it five times within 5 seconds.
- The DIC will beep and display “Ready for Fob 3” (or the next available fob number).
- Take your new, unprogrammed key fob and insert it into the glovebox slot. Buttons facing right (passenger side), keyring outwards.
- Wait for the DIC to update. When it displays “Ready for Fob 4” (or the next number), the fob programming is complete. A total of four fobs can be programmed to your Corvette.
- If you have more fobs to program, repeat step 5 and 6.
- Once all fobs are programmed, press the bottom half of the start button (OFF/ACC) to turn off the DIC.
- Thoroughly test all buttons on each programmed fob.
- Remove all fobs from the car and test each fob individually to start the car, ensuring each new fob is working correctly.
C6 Corvette Key Fob Long Programming Procedure (Reprogramming All Fobs)
Use the Long Procedure to erase all existing key fobs from your 2008 Corvette’s memory and reprogram all your fobs. Crucially, ensure you have tested and confirmed the proper operation of the glovebox slot using the Short Procedure before attempting the Long Procedure. Any fobs not reprogrammed during this procedure will no longer work with your car.
Important Preparations:
- Battery Tender/Charger: It is highly recommended to connect a battery tender or charger to your Corvette during this procedure. The Long Procedure takes approximately 30 minutes, and a low battery can cause programming issues or other electrical problems.
- Disable Autolock (Optional but Recommended): If your Corvette has the autolock feature enabled, disable it. It can be inconvenient and cause the car to lock during the procedure, potentially triggering the horn when you reopen the door.
Long Procedure Steps:
- Ensure the driver’s window is down, the car is off, the trunk is open, and the glove box is open.
- Make absolutely sure that NO key fobs are inside or near the car. This is critical for the procedure to work correctly.
- Insert the key into the trunk keyhole and turn it five times within 5 seconds.
- The DIC will beep and display “Off/Acc to learn”. If you decide to cancel the programming at this point, press the top half of the start button to return the car to normal operation. Continuing from step 17 onwards will erase all previously programmed fobs.
- To proceed with programming and erase old fobs, press the bottom half of the Start button. The DIC will display a message indicating a 10-minute wait and begin counting down. You can close the trunk and car door while waiting.
- After the first 10-minute countdown, the DIC will again display “Off/Acc to learn”. Press the bottom half of the Start button again. The DIC will start another 10-minute countdown.
- After the second 10-minute countdown, the DIC will once more display “Off/Acc to learn”. Press the bottom half of the Start button again. The DIC will initiate the final 10-minute countdown.
- Once the third 10-minute period is complete, the DIC will display “Ready for Fob #1”.
- Take your first key fob and insert it into the glovebox slot. Regardless of any number printed on the fob, the first fob inserted will be recognized as Fob #1. Insert it with the buttons facing right and the keyring end outwards.
- After a few seconds, the DIC will beep and display “Ready for Fob #2”. Insert your second key fob into the glovebox slot.
- Repeat step 21 for any additional fobs you wish to program, up to a maximum of four.
- When you have programmed all your desired fobs, press the bottom half of the Start button to end the programming session.
- Thoroughly test all buttons on each programmed fob to ensure they are working.
- Remove all fobs from the car and test each fob individually to start the car, confirming each fob is functioning correctly.
By following these steps, you should be able to successfully program your 2008 Corvette key fobs. Remember to always test the glovebox slot before attempting the Long Procedure to avoid potential issues.
Troubleshooting: Glovebox Slot Antenna Issues
If your car enters programming mode (DIC displays “Ready for Fob…”) but the glovebox slot fails to recognize a fob (does not display “Known Fob” during testing or “Ready for Fob #2” during programming), a common culprit is the glovebox slot antenna. This antenna is located directly behind the glovebox slot and is crucial for fob signal reception during programming.
Possible antenna issues include:
- Defective Antenna: The antenna itself may be faulty.
- Unplugged Wiring Harness: The antenna may have become disconnected from its wiring harness.
- Mispositioned Antenna: The antenna may not be correctly positioned in its slot behind the glovebox, often occurring after glovebox removal for maintenance or repairs.
Accessing and inspecting the antenna is relatively straightforward after removing the glovebox. For detailed diagrams and images of a mispositioned antenna and its simple fix, refer to this Corvette Forum thread: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c6-corvette-general-discussion/3704330-key-fob-only-me.html
This information should help you program your 2008 Corvette key fobs effectively. If you encounter persistent issues, consulting a qualified автомобильный technician or your local Chevrolet dealer is recommended.
