[jbardet]

I got a replacement, uncut key from eBay trying to save money after losing a key fob somewhere in our house.

I programmed it myself, but the process was a bit wonky. It didn't work following the normal instructions but I got it to work after a few tries with workarounds following the forum.

Anyway, when I was dealing with the key, I noticed that the car wouldn't start up completely. Power came up on the console but when I went to drive and hit the gas there was no response.

The 12v battery then died completely it appeared. Fob wouldn't unlock the doors.

I tried jumping it 2x for about 15 min then 20 min. During the jump period, infotainment and air would come back on but no driveability. Car said it had 3 service error messages.

I read that this may be a software glitch fixed by "temporarily disconnecting the 12v battery" but I haven't found clear instructions to do that? Can someone point me in the right direction? And hopefully the solution won't break my radio or anything else. Thanks!

 

[Mister Dave]

Under the load floor in the hatch area.

 

[jbardet]

Thank you so much. I will update the thread with results in the morning.

 

[Mister Dave]

You're very welcome.

 

[Loboc]

Are you sure it’s not in service mode?

 

[DonC]

Those are two very helpful posts. The question about Service Mode is a good one and definitely worth investigating. Not sure whether you wouldn't be able to unlock the doors, but it might be a dying 12v and being in Service Mode. I'm also not sure if disconnecting the battery would take you out of Service Mode. I'd think it would but it might persist.

 

[jbardet]

I tried disconnecting the battery but no luck, same issue. I had it towed now to my local shop but they seem to immediately think it's because I bought a key online and tried to do the programming myself. We'll see what they discover in further testing. Will keep updating this thread as I learn more.

 

[DonC]

Was hoping the disconnect would resolve the issue for you but thought the key might have fried something. Best case would be a reflash.

 

[Mister Dave]

My 12v battery died in my 2013 Volt when doing this with an uncut key. Coincidence? Car wouldn't start with a jump so I had to get it towed to a local shop. Avoiding the dealer for now because they would likely charge a fortune.

With all due respect I think maybe you're avoiding the fix at this point if you're serious about that.

I tried disconnecting the battery but no luck, same issue. I had it towed now to my local shop but they seem to immediately think it's because I bought a key online and tried to do the programming myself.

They could be right. It might have been more prudent to skip this and just have the dealer straighten it out and you'd be done with it.

 

[TripleTrucker]

Sounds like an easy find for a dealer trained on the Volt. You may spend more money in the long run having a "normal" mechanic trying to figure it out.

 

[Bill Step]

I'd like to know what steps he took to get the fob to program.Maybe some one will see what went wrong.

 

[Aseras]

Try all of these, http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?18435-Long-Term-Storage-Guide

I bet you've got it in service or transport mode.

 

[TimO]

I don't know what service or transport modes are, but I've programmed spare uncut keys before for a couple of Volts and I'd say that unless I missed something, it would be pretty hard to have the key programming cause your 12V battery issue. Maybe if you really messed it up or something, but the process isn't that complicated. Personally, I'd never take it to a normal mechanic but always to the chevy dealer. I've found them to be quick at fixing anything, and nothing better than being friendly with your local dealership so that when you really need them, they know you.

 

[jbardet]

The 12v battery continues to be an issue.

The dealer did fix our car originally after they discovered the Volt was stuck in service mode.

Now, today, the Volt has died again after my wife arrived to work (20 mile commute).
The volt's lithium ion battery has been drained for several days because we haven't been able to charge due to city construction on the street and our driveway.

THe 12v battery has died in our driveway 3 times since my last posting. One time the LI battery did have range left.

Will replacing the 12v solve my problems does it sound like?