I have to press the unlock button on the remote of my '97 Z28 for at least 10 seconds before the door will unlock. I just replaced the battery so that's not the problem. It's 17 years old so is it just because it's wearing out or do all old remotes do that?

 

I would open the remote up and check it see if anything is missing/broke dirty.. I've found like dead skin dust inside before and cleaning it helped a lot.

If that don't work buy a replacement remote...

program it.. think it tells you how in the manual...

if that don't work.. then it's something else.. maybe take it to the dealer!

A remote is cheap.. especially when you program it yourself

 

Just a silly little trick but to get better range and a stronger signal hold your key fob to your chin and press the desired button. By doing this your body actually acts as a ground and intensifies the signal from your fob to the car.

This especially come in handy if you forget where you parked your car in a huge parking lot. People have give me goofy looks while holding my fob to my chin pressing the lock button over and over to honk the horn.

Good luck

 

Shoebox has the programming procedure:

4th Gen LT1 F-body Tech Articles

 

I opened up the remote and wiped a lot of grease and dirt out of it and it works instantaneously now. I'll try the other ideas if I have problems with it in the future. Thanks for the suggestions....

 

I do this with my remote start for my SUV.. I even stick my tongue out in the direction of the SUV.. it really works!!! And it helps with the girls!!!

As far as the remote. the grease was probably diluting the signal or 'shorting' it out