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How to Program most GM Key Fobs

May 30, 2007 By Andrew Hughes 173 Comments

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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Filed Under: Car Related, Main WeBlog

About Andrew Hughes

Andrew is a wordpress expert and enjoys listening to Chevelle and Green Day. A huge fan of the Chicago Blackhawks and all things hockey. He enjoys podcasting and editing audio. Founder of 86 Productions and Section_86. Follow me at Twitter and Google+ and check out my blog.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rich says

    August 31, 2011 at 8:02 pm

    I’m in the same boat as Gary. Cept the one I’m trying to do is an 02. any way to do it without the factory stereo? I have no access to one.

  2. ralpheal ward says

    September 8, 2011 at 12:54 am

    i have a new key fob for a 2004 grand prix. How do i program it

  3. Andrew Hughes says

    September 8, 2011 at 11:31 am

    What type of vehicle do you have?

  4. Andrew Hughes says

    September 8, 2011 at 11:33 am

    Gotta have the factory radio with the VIN burned in the Radio as well.

  5. Andrew Hughes says

    September 8, 2011 at 11:34 am

    2004 Grand Prix’s MUST be programmed by the dealer.

  6. Steve says

    September 9, 2011 at 3:20 pm

    After changing battery in my remote it had be reprogramed. Thankfully I found your instructions and they worked like a charm on my 2000 S10LS P/U key fob remote. Thanks for keeping your web site up.
    Steve

  7. Duane says

    November 1, 2011 at 5:10 pm

    My 2001 Chevy Malibu GM owners manual has incomplete instructions on how to program (re-synchronized.) the key fob. It only mentioned pressing the lock and unlock buttons on the fob for 5 sec. near the vehicle and that the doors would lock and unlock to confirm it was re-synchronized.

    After reading the manual again carefully several times, I concluded there has to be more to the process otherwise you could easily do this other vehicles.

    Anyway thanks for the more complete explanation.

  8. Jon Hoefnagels says

    November 18, 2011 at 10:50 am

    Thanks, this worked like a charm on my 2006 Chevy 2500HD, it was nice not to half to pay the dealer $60 for 2 minutes of their time.

  9. Andrew Hughes says

    December 10, 2011 at 10:27 am

    If the lock and unlock does not work, you will need to go to the dealer.

  10. Frustrated Chevy Owner says

    December 12, 2011 at 9:43 pm

    I have a pair of ’03 Chevy’s. At some point in the past the dealership programmed one of the remotes for both vehicles. This is unfortunately the remote that my wife uses for her Tahoe. Every time she unlocks it the aftermarket alarm in my Avalanche goes off if I don’t remember to disarm it first. You can probably just imagine how annoying this can get. Is there a way to clear the programming on a remote so that it DOESN’T work in a particular vehicle?

  11. JPETRO says

    December 28, 2011 at 6:18 pm

    I have been having problems with key fob for 2010 lacrosse. Sometimes it works right and sometimes I have to put key in holder under the cupholder to get the car started. Brought the car to dealer and would”t you know that that day it was working fine so they didn”t know what to do.

  12. Andrew Hughes says

    January 7, 2012 at 1:24 pm

    Depends on the type of Chevrolet Vehicle. I will need more information.

  13. Andrew Hughes says

    January 7, 2012 at 1:36 pm

    I will need some more information in order to help you out.

  14. Jon says

    January 10, 2012 at 8:15 am

    I have a 07 Chevy Cobalt. I have tried this without sucess, I am confuse about what you wrote. “Press and hold the DOOR unlock switch.
    While holding the DOOR lock switch in the unlock position, cycle the ignition ON, OFF, ON, OFF.”
    Is this on the key fob, or in the car? and how do you hold the lock and unlock at the same time? Is there a time frame to wait? Can you be a little more clear about this section please?
    Thank you

  15. Andrew Hughes says

    January 10, 2012 at 5:20 pm

    This is NOT meant for Chevrolet Cobalt’s. Only GM Vehicles made from 96-05. Cobalt’s MUST be programmed by the Dealer or Locksmith.

  16. ronnie says

    January 27, 2012 at 7:20 pm

    hey this worked like a charm, thanks andrew

  17. Michael says

    March 5, 2012 at 10:52 pm

    how about an 2001 olds. alero?

  18. Drew says

    March 9, 2012 at 5:20 pm

    My wife has a 2004 Chevy Malibu. When I cycle the ignition on off on off I get no response. I assume I dont fully start the car, corrrect? I think I may be stuck taking it to a dealer.

    Thanks in advance for the help.

  19. Tom says

    March 23, 2012 at 8:50 am

    I have a 2000 park ave can I do this on that or do I have to go to the dealer.

  20. Miguel says

    April 11, 2012 at 2:56 am

    I have a 2003 gmc sierra and it worked for me. I checked my owners manual for instructions but it didnt have any.

  21. troy says

    April 11, 2012 at 8:51 am

    Worked excellent on 2dr. 2000 blazer.. ty

  22. Rick Van says

    April 27, 2012 at 8:53 am

    97 Jimmy. It worked for me. Had to put the jumper wire between pin 4 and 8. As soon as I did that the locks went click click. I got in it closed the door and held the lock and unlock buttons on the transmitter and ten seconds later the locks went click click. I pulled the wire out of the OBD plug and it was done. Never even put the keys in the ignition. Thanks for the input here. Rick

  23. Gio says

    May 7, 2012 at 11:50 pm

    I have tried this on my 2001 Chevy Malibu but no success. I have a different car stereo than original since i am not the first owner. Can a dealer do it under such circumstances, including the fact that the car was bought on another state?

  24. Oscar Martinez says

    May 16, 2012 at 3:32 pm

    Hiw about an 07 Yukon? Would this work?

  25. jon says

    May 23, 2012 at 9:50 pm

    worked excellent for my 2008 trailblazer thank you saved me 75 buck reprogram fee

  26. David says

    May 29, 2012 at 11:57 am

    I have a 1999 GMC sierra slt, both key fobs have stopped working (circuit board has a blown part) i need 2 new fobs. Will i be able to program them my self? I live in Britan so there are no chevy / gmc deelers to reprogram the module

    Thanks

    David

  27. Joe Turner says

    June 26, 2012 at 2:25 pm

    Any hope for 2005 Buick Lacrosse? Thanks!

  28. Andrew Hughes says

    June 26, 2012 at 4:01 pm

    There is no onboard programming procedure for this vehicle. This vehicle requires special equipment.

  29. Rosemary says

    July 4, 2012 at 2:50 pm

    I have an ’09 Saturn Aura. Went by the instructions in the manual to reprogram my fob but it will only work the horn and trunk. Will NOT unlock/lock the doors. Any input?

  30. Andrew Hughes says

    July 14, 2012 at 2:24 pm

    You will be able to program the fobs yourself.

  31. Andrew Hughes says

    July 14, 2012 at 2:25 pm

    No…

  32. DJ says

    July 21, 2012 at 1:29 am

    I have a 2002 Tahoe when I purchased it the dealership had lost the key fob. We had a chevy key fob laying around for our 03 trailblazer that we no longer have would the key fob be able to be programmed to my tahoe thanks

  33. Joe Walker says

    July 23, 2012 at 3:02 pm

    Will this work on my 2000 grand prix gtp?

  34. lha4507 says

    July 25, 2012 at 11:10 am

    Will this work on an 02 malibu? Thanks

  35. Dave says

    July 27, 2012 at 8:22 pm

    I’m trying to program key fobs for a 2002 Pontiac Grand Am GT. The update #2 note after the initial instructions say this method works on 1999-2002 Grand Am GT, but I cannot get this to work. Is there something I’m missing? When you cycle the key on/off are you supposed to be turning it to accessory or run? Should the key be back in the off position prior to releasing the unlock switch?

  36. Andrew Hughes says

    July 28, 2012 at 12:18 pm

    You probably have a bad remote.

  37. Andrew Hughes says

    July 28, 2012 at 12:19 pm

    2000 Park Avenue is dealer only

  38. Andrew Hughes says

    July 28, 2012 at 12:20 pm

    You would have to check the numbers on the back of the remote.

  39. Andrew Hughes says

    July 28, 2012 at 12:20 pm

    Yes it should work.

  40. Andrew Hughes says

    July 28, 2012 at 12:21 pm

    Dealer only…

  41. Andrew Hughes says

    July 28, 2012 at 12:22 pm

    Off, Acc, On, Start… those are your options. So On and not Acc.

  42. Andrew Hughes says

    July 28, 2012 at 12:24 pm

    Nope… All Alero’s must be programmed at the Dealer.

  43. Andrew Hughes says

    July 28, 2012 at 12:25 pm

    This is a dealer only vehicle.

  44. Andrew Hughes says

    July 28, 2012 at 12:25 pm

    Dealer or Locksmith only.

  45. Robert says

    July 30, 2012 at 1:33 am

    Hey Andrew,
    Dont have my factory key or fob for my 2001 GMC jimmy,just replacement keys.The other day i set off my alarm and my replacement keys which work arent turning off my alarm.My keys wont turn over the ignition because my car thinks its getting stolen. If i goto a GM dealer with my title and all that stuff can they program me a new fob that will turn my alarm off. Will it be able to program even with the alarm going? Hopefully i made sense and you understand my issue.

  46. Andrew Hughes says

    July 30, 2012 at 2:51 pm

    The dealer will be able to help you out in this situation.

  47. David bennett says

    June 30, 2013 at 8:58 pm

    i need more help. I had to replace the fob on my 2002 grand am. i have ran through the steps every way i can but it wont program. The locks dont lock and unlock to tell me its in program mode. my dealer charges 60 bucks. please help, David

  48. Andrew Hughes says

    July 30, 2013 at 12:41 pm

    02 Grand AM’s are dealer only. Sorry.

  49. Steven says

    August 5, 2013 at 3:22 pm

    does the above procedure work for 2003 grand prix ?

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