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How to Program most GM Key Fobs

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Try this first. It worked on mine.

Close all the vehicle doors.
Insert the ignition key into the ignition lock cylinder.
Press and hold the DOOR unlock switch.
While holding the DOOR lock switch in the unlock position, cycle the ignition ON, OFF, ON, OFF.
Release the DOOR unlock switch. The doors will lock and unlock to confirm the program mode.
Press and hold the LOCK button and the UNLOCK button simultaneously on one keyless remote. After a delay of approximately 15 seconds , the doors will lock and unlock to confirm the programming of that transmitter.
Repeat the previous step to program up to four transmitters.
Turn the ignition switch to the RUN (one more click forward) position in order to exit the keyless entry transmitter mode.
Operate the transmitter functions in order to verify correct system operation

There you go!

UPDATE #1: After messing around with a couple of Key Fobs, I noticed that most owner’s manuals have the programming directions already. Check your owner’s manual first!

I will try to post a how to on programming keys.

UPDATE #2: I have tried this on a 2001 Grand Prix GTP and 1999-2002 Grand Am GT

UPDATE #3: This only works for some GM vehicles from 1996-2005. 

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Comments

  3. Hey Andrew.. i have a 2004 Grand Prix and lost my keyfob, im just wondering if you can email with info such as which pins are 4 and 8 in my obd or how to find out which pins are..
    -Thanks

  4. November 17th, 2009 at 1:06 am, steve Says:

    “Will this work on a 2008 Grand Prix? I am trying to help my girl get the new fobs to work….thank you.

    Steve – did you ever find out how to do this with that vehicle?”

    I TRIED TO PROGRAM MY RKE FOR A 08 GRAND PRIX BUT IT DIDN’T WORK. ON MY CAR, HOLDING THE UNLOCK BUTTON OPENS THE TRUNK. IS THAT A PROBLEM?

  5. ANOTHER QUESTION. IF MY 08 GP DOES NOT HAVE THE RKE INSTALLED. WOULD IT STILL SHOW ME THE REMOTE START IS OFF. OR DOES DIC SKIP THAT OPTION BECAUSE THE REMOTE IS NOT INSTALLED. JUST TRYING TO FIND OUT IF MY MODEL IS REMOTE START READY. OR IF I NEED TO ADD.

  10. I have a 2004 Chevy Classic 4 Cyl. Need to program a new Key Fob. The vehicle was purchased without one. It has pins 2-4-5 & 16 on the ALDL DLC connection. Following the forums this pin configuration is for a J1850 VPW communication protocol. Is there any pin jumper method for programming key fobs that will work for this type of communication connection? I have seen the pin jumper method that was given as jumping pin 8 to pin4 for programming the key fob but my vehicle does not have pin 8. If you can help, MANY, MANY Thanks.

  11. Hi, I just bought a 2005 Yukon SLT. It only came with one key fob. I got another one from the dealer (no charge to me) but it isn’t programmed. I tried to follow the programming instructions above about but something isn’t working. The first couple of steps don’t seem to work the way they are described. Any helpful hints? Thanks.

  12. 2001 Chevy Suburban z71. Everything works until I press lock and unlock at the sime time on the remotes. Here is what I am doing. I am putting the key in with all the doors shut, I hold down the unlock button turn the key to the on off position two times, let go of the unlock position, the doors lock and unlock, I then hold down the lock and unlock button on the transmitters but nothing happens. I have two remotes with part numbers 15053968 and 15008008. What am I doing wrong that it is not programming?

  14. I have an 05 Sierra and i need a new key fob, could one from a pontiac GTO be programmed? these are the keys with the fob built into the top of the key rather than seperate

  15. I just checked and tried the jumping the connections on my car (’08 Grand Prix). Well, I say tried … I have a conenctor in Pin 4 but there isn’t one in pin 8.
    Any thoughts on what pins would be used in this case?

    I didn’t write it down so I’m not sure on this BUT I think there are connectors for pins 2,4,5,6 in the first row and then 9, 15,16 in the second.

  18. 1. Close all vehicle doors.

    2. Insert the key into the ignition.

    3. Hold down the power UNLOCK button on the driver’s door panel-continue to hold
    down until instructed to release in step 9.

    4. Perform steps 5 through 8 in fairly rapid succession.

    5. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position (as far as you can go without starting the
    engine).

    6. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.

    7. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.

    8. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.

    9. Release the power unlock button on the door panel. The vehicle will lock and unlock
    the doors automatically.

    10. Hold down the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on the transmitter simultaneously until
    the door locks and unlocks.
    This step may take up to 30 seconds.

    11. Repeat step 10 NOW for each additional transmitter (including any existing
    transmitters).

    12. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position in order to exit the transmitter programming
    mode.

  20. I have 2 fobs from a 07 Tahoe that I want to program to a 05 Escalade. I tried the sequence you provided with no luck. Any suggestions. (it did work on the one cadi remote I have though)

    Thanks,

    Ray

  22. I tried the sequence on a 2004 Chevy 2500HD Diesel and it worked perfectly. I checked the manual first and it said to bring it to a dealer to set it up. Glad I didn’t have to do that! Thanks!
    Scott

  25. You might want to make sure the fob will work with the impala. There are numbers on the back of the fob and you will need to make sure it is compatible.

  28. 2001 gmc sierra could have two diffrent keyless remote systems. how do I locate the receiver to find number so I can order correct fob ?

  32. Will this work for a 98 Blazer? I bought the blazer it came with 1 fob. I was at the junk yard looking for parts for another car and came across a blazer that had the fob sitting on the dash. The numbers match perfectly.

  33. Just FYI, if any of you buy a used car without a key fob
    I used to sell Chevs at a new dearlership and we had a filing cabinet drawer full of key fobs from various makes and models that all I had to do if I sold a used car w/out a fob was spend 10 mins trying to find a match. and gave it to them free, ask ur sales person the same they might have adrawer full of them as well

  34. Hi, I have a 1995 oldsmobile aurora and i bought two fobs off ebay and the guy said i had to take the vehicle to a dealer to program the fobs. Have you ever tried your method on any aurora’s?

    Thanks Bennie

  37. Hi, I have a question. My mom recently purchased a 2002 g-am repo, and I’m not sure if it came with keyless entry or alarm. It has power everything and came with just 1 key that open all locks. Is there any way for me to tell? She is 80 yes 80 and always liked sports cars. The lock switch has also started to act up and I find myself fearing for her safety. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

  38. My key fob stopped working months ago!!! Now that we’re seeing temps in single digits I’m under pressure to fix it…so I turned to google…I read a few forums and found a few answers…this programming trick didn’t work for me, HOWEVER, this is what I did and it WORKED! :))

    I took my remote apart and placed aluminum foil in the button slots between the rubber and the transmitter…it was as simple as that! FREE! Saved me 200 at the dealer!!! Apparently, the rubber just wasn’t making good contact!

  40. The foil worked. Thanks a million. Saved me all kinds of probs and money. I should have thought of it myself since I tried to short out the contacts on the board — which the rubber buttons usually do — with a screwdriver head and the buttons worked unlocking, locking doors and opening the trunk. Thanks again.

  42. I have a 2001 Chevy Venture van that I replaced the bcm on and now I cannot get the vehicle into learn mode. Any suggestions and what is the correct key fob programming procedure? Please advise.

  43. On the Impala, you have to get to the setting menu, which requires putting the car on ACC and holding the display button, One settings comes up use the PREV and NEXT buttons to scroll to FOB PROG then select, then scroll to begin and select. I don’t recall the rest from memory but it should be in your manual

  45. i tried this on my 06 escalade , and it worked but the only differance was i had to hold down the lock and unlock buttons on the fob at the same time for 30 seconds instead of alternating the buttons for 30 seconds, try that.

  46. yes worked for 03 chey sub LT thank you dealer had no idea but did have new fab

  47. Andrew, thanks for the help. I lost my keys with fob and needed to program the new one. Your instructions worked perfectly. Saved me $38 and my time at the dealer.

  49. I have an 2001 chevy Impala with an aftermarket Stereo, and i can’t get my car to go into program mode. what should i do?

  50. I am wondering about the programming of #1 and #2 fob. I have two fobs and both work but both are programmed to #2. How do I change on to #1 so all settings work properly on unlock?

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