Programmed a key fob myself.

[seagal64]

Hi All. After extensive research, and refusing to pay $200 to program my new key fob for my 2016 Chevy Spark EV, I found that the Car Keys Express Universal EZ Installer (Amazon) did the trick! I'm so happy. So far have only programmed 1 fob but will now look for another fob to be my back up.

I searched this site for help on self programming, there must not have been a way to do-it-yourself the last time someone posted about this issue. There is now and I hope my journey helps anyone else with the same issue.

 

[bjleininger]

Hi All. After extensive research, and refusing to pay $200 to program my new key fob for my 2016 Chevy Spark EV, I found that the Car Keys Express Universal EZ Installer (Amazon) did the trick! I'm so happy. So far have only programmed 1 fob but will now look for another fob to be my back up.

I searched this site for help on self programming, there must not have been a way to do-it-yourself the last time someone posted about this issue. There is now and I hope my journey helps anyone else with the same issue.

That's great! Where did you get the new key fob from and did you get it cut to match the old key?

 

[MINITSLA]

This is great news. Congratulations on being the first Spark EV owner to accomplish this without dealer assistance. Amazing! How much was the programmer/installer?

 

[seagal64]

That's great! Where did you get the new key fob from and did you get it cut to match the old key?

It cost $69.99 and can be found on Amazon.

 

[seagal64]

It cost $69.99 and can be found on Amazon.

 

[AlbertC]

Great news! Could you provide a link? I tried looking but couldn't find it. Thanks.

 

[kejava]

@seagal64
I'm glad someone else went through this process too. I ended up using the same adapter in Sept 2023. It works but during the process ... it can be hard to know what it's doing and what you need to do next. I documented the process with links here.
Good luck to anyone trying to find a reputable distributor for the key though. I just did a search for the PNs (94543206 and 94543205). It's slim pickings.

 

[coolcat]

Here’s the link for those having trouble finding it https://a.co/d/hEIeYDf
Thanks for confirming that these work. I’d much rather spend $70 than $200 but I’d also much rather not have to spend anything at all given that Chevy clearly intended for this to be free based on the instructions in the owner’s manual.

How many more of us are here currently trying to program a key? We could all go in on one and shipping from one member to the next to lower the cost for everyone.

 

[SanDiego]

The post above from @kejava does a great job describing the super-complicated method (because the key programming instructions in the owner manual don't work) for using the "EZ Installer Car-Key Programmer" sold on Amazon and directly a thttps://carkeysexpress.com/ez-installer. Kudos to @seagal64 and @kejava for succeeding!!!

We lost a fob/key a few weeks ago. I looked at the EZ Installer, but decided not to try it - They caution it will not work unless the car appears on their PDF (see attached PDF). On that PDF only "Spark 2016-2021" is listed; that refers to the updated model of the gas Spark. The Spark EV 2014-2016 is an older model, so CarKeyExpress was not indicating it would work for us. Again, kudos to those who have made it work.

I ended up going to a really great locksmith here in San Diego, Dup-A-Key in Pacific Beach. He stocks an amazing inventory of OEM keys and fobs. He supplied the fob+key, cut the key, and programmed them with his big dealer-grade programmer, and charged $180 total (compared to the what @seagal64 apparently spent $70 for the EZ Installer plus $70 for the key+fob).

Vince, owner of Dup-A-Key is a great guy. I also got just a key from him (without the remote to open the door) for $95, including the programming. If we ever lose another remote, I will just get another key-only, which can manually unlock the door, and you just stick it into the slot on the steering column to start the car with the push button. The key took a lot less time to program than the key+fob.

 

[bjleininger]

The post above from @kejava does a great job describing the super-complicated method (because the key programming instructions in the owner manual don't work) for using the "EZ Installer Car-Key Programmer" sold on Amazon and directly a thttps://carkeysexpress.com/ez-installer. Kudos to @seagal64 and @kejava for succeeding!!!

We lost a fob/key a few weeks ago. I looked at the EZ Installer, but decided not to try it - They caution it will not work unless the car appears on their PDF (see attached PDF). On that PDF only "Spark 2016-2021" is listed; that refers to the updated model of the gas Spark. The Spark EV 2014-2016 is an older model, so CarKeyExpress was not indicating it would work for us. Again, kudos to those who have made it work.

I ended up going to a really great locksmith here in San Diego, Dup-A-Key in Pacific Beach. He stocks an amazing inventory of OEM keys and fobs. He supplied the fob+key, cut the key, and programmed them with his big dealer-grade programmer, and charged $180 total (compared to the what @seagal64 apparently spent $70 for the EZ Installer plus $70 for the key+fob).

Vince, owner of Dup-A-Key is a great guy. I also got just a key from him (without the remote to open the door) for $95, including the programming. If we ever lose another remote, I will just get another key-only, which can manually unlock the door, and you just stick it into the slot on the steering column to start the car with the push button. The key took a lot less time to program than the key+fob.

I contacted Vince and he was unable to source a new key. I found one on eBay, but that's a one off. Does anyone know where you can source a GM94543206 FCC ID A2GM3AFUS04 for future reference?

Thanks.

 

[coolcat]

Well. I’m afraid I may have just bricked my car. I bought the EZ Installer from Amazon and I just attempted to use it to pair my new spare key. The process seemed to be working until suddenly a “Service Stabilitrack” warning came on the dash and the app said pairing had failed. I had it try again with the same result. I submitted feedback to them through their app and then tried to just shut it down to either try later or give up for now. Well, my car won’t turn off and it won’t fully turn on either. The dash is illuminated but the headlights are off. The shifter will move and the dash indicates it moving but the car won’t move. I’ve got two warning lights on the dash. One is a car with an exclamation point and the other is a car with a padlock. I’m afraid that maybe the EZ Installer erased my only working key and then failed to program it back again. I tried holding the blue power button hoping that would shut the car off but it does not. A normal push on the power button causes the display to go black for a second and then come right back on. I need help!

 

[coolcat]

Ok, sorry for the panic post. I got out of the car and got back in and was able to shut it off. When I turned it back on the error lights were gone and the car is working again. The EZ Installer does NOT work for a 2014 I guess. YMMV