Hi.. new guy, just poking around inside his used/abused 99 STS (don't even have owner's manual, and learning what all the buttons do), going in next week to get a second key from a dealer. I've a couple of questions for anyone that can answer them.

First off, re: the new key; out there somewhere is another key that will open my car, start the ignition, and attached to it is a keyfob that is programmed to be recognized by my car. When i go in to get the second key cut/programmed, can i have both it and the remaining key/keyfob reprogrammed with new 'codes' so as to render the original key and fob nonfunctional? I understand it will still mechanically unlock the car, but i worry that someone else out there can open my trunk/unlock the car remotely if they can find it. Can the car be programmed NOT to recognize the old key and fob?

Second; I was poking around and reading the codes, and decided to let it tell me of the prom id numbers. the info centre gave me a puzzling message when it got to the IRC; it listed the IRC prom as 'FB97', then gave me a message stating 'NOT SUPPORTED BY PCM'... it then went on to identify the RFA prom as '8075'. I'm assuming that the 'not supported' message refers to the IRC prom, but i'm not sure what it means. Everything seems to work fine electronically, even the radio.

I'm slightly confused..

 

welcome to the Forum, geargrinder....... first.... unless you have a reason to be concerned, that original key and fob are very unlikely to find your car..... i think,in your glove box, is a switch to deactivate the fob/keyfrom opening the trunk.
second...... the right tech will get to you on that one
have you been to Member introduction? that will help the Forum better help with your sts...... be counted in Cadillac demographics.... good luck with your sts
rickyd

 

As I understand it, when they reprogram a new remote, the car requires a #1 and #2. If you only have one remote, it is programmed as both #1 and #2, rendering the missing remote useless. I would recommend acquiring a second remote on ebay (they are cheap)and THEN havingboth reprogrammed. Our local Pontiac dealer did ours for $31.

Although only a dealer (or someone with a GM Tech II device) can program remotes on these cars, nearly any locksmith can program a new key for you. My wife had onemade for melocally, it cost $40. I've heard that life on these keys is around 10 years, and her original is acting up while my new one works flawlessly. (It says "GM" rather than "Cadillac" on it though.) She's picking a new one up for herselfthis week.

 

$40? damn. I went to the local dealer.. $60 for a Passkey III.. and another $75 to reprogram it.

I was told that one could program up to four remotes, and when programming remotes, they all had to be present; any that weren't present at time of programming would not be able to talk to the car afterward. I only have one keyfob, so i'm not as worried as i was before.

While there, i asked them to flush the coolant, and find out what coolant i needed (cap said red stuff, but reservoir was too low to see into).. turns out
a) previous owner had changed to standard glycol (green stuff)
b)"did you know you had a coolant leak?"(from rusted pipes to the heater core).
c) the new brake shoes don't have connectors for the wear sensors and were left hanging exposed, so
d) i need new connectors for all four.
e) your ignition has been changed, we cut the key to match the one you had
f) some support braces up front are missing, has this car ever been in an accident?

Decided to drive her home and park while awaiting parts; something cut loose enroute, and i had to stop and refill the coolant twice. Barely made it into the driveway, hope i didnt damage the engine.

Sometimes, it pays to have a pro look under the car.Expensive key, but stil money well spent.

Regarding the incompatible PROM.. dealer/techs have no idea why i get that message; closest they can think is that radio was replaced with older version and PCM just doesn't like it.