The 1996 Lincoln Town Car, a symbol of American luxury and comfort, often came equipped with the convenience of keyless entry. Having a working key fob for your Town Car adds a layer of ease to your daily driving experience, allowing you to lock, unlock, and even activate the panic alarm with the touch of a button. If you’ve lost a key fob, replaced the battery, or simply want to program a new remote, you might be wondering how to get it done without a trip to the dealership. Fortunately, programming a key fob for your 1996 Lincoln Town Car is a straightforward process you can accomplish yourself at home.
This guide will walk you through the steps to program your keyless entry remote for 1995-1997 Lincoln Town Cars, ensuring you regain or maintain the convenience of keyless entry. It’s a simple procedure that utilizes the keyless entry keypad on your driver’s side door and a unique permanent code associated with your vehicle.
Step-by-Step Guide to Programming Your 1996 Lincoln Town Car Key Fob
The programming process for your 1996 Lincoln Town Car key fob relies on the vehicle’s built-in keyless entry system and the five-digit permanent code. This code is essential and needs to be accessed before you begin. Here’s how to program your remote:
Step 1: Locate Your 5-Digit Permanent Code
Before you begin programming, you’ll need your Lincoln Town Car’s 5-digit permanent entry code. This code is your key to accessing the programming mode. You can typically find it in one of these locations:
- Owner’s Manual Package: Check your owner’s manual package for a keyless entry code card. This card was often provided with the vehicle when new.
- Trunk Label: Look inside your trunk, often on the right-side lift support arm. There might be a computer-printed label displaying the 5-digit code.
- Keyless Entry Control Module: The code is also located on the keyless locking control module itself. This module, part number F6AB-13C791-AA, is found inside the driver’s side door. Note: Accessing this location requires disassembly and is usually a last resort.
Once you have located your 5-digit permanent code, you are ready to proceed with programming your key fob.
Step 2: Initiate Programming Mode
With your permanent code in hand, go to your 1996 Lincoln Town Car and follow these steps to enter programming mode:
- Enter the Permanent Code: On the driver’s side door, use the keyless entry keypad to enter your 5-digit permanent code. Press each button corresponding to the digits of your code in the correct sequence.
- Press the “1-2” Button: Immediately after entering the 5-digit code, press the “1-2” button on the keypad.
At this point, the door locks should cycle – you will hear them lock and then unlock. This lock cycling indicates that your Lincoln Town Car has successfully entered the key fob programming mode and is ready to learn the signal from your remote transmitter.
Step 3: Program Your Key Fob
Now that your vehicle is in programming mode, you have a short window of time to program your key fob:
- Press Any Button on the Key Fob: Within 7 seconds of the door locks cycling, take the key fob you want to program and press any button on it.
Listen for the door locks to cycle again (lock and unlock). This second lock cycle confirms that your 1996 Lincoln Town Car has successfully recognized and programmed your key fob.
Step 4: Program Additional Key Fobs (Optional)
If you have more than one key fob to program (up to a maximum of 4 per vehicle), you can program them sequentially:
- Repeat Step 3 for Each Additional Key Fob: Within 7 seconds of the last successful key fob programming (or the initial entry into programming mode if programming the first fob), press any button on the next key fob you wish to program.
Again, the door locks will cycle to confirm successful programming for each additional key fob. Ensure you complete this step within the 7-second timeframe for each remote.
Step 5: Exit Programming Mode
Once you have programmed all desired key fobs, you need to exit the programming mode. There are two ways to do this:
- Simultaneous Keypad Press: Press the “7-8” and “9-0” buttons on the keyless entry keypad at the same time.
- Wait for Timeout: If you do nothing for more than 7 seconds after the last programming step, the system will automatically exit the programming mode.
After exiting programming mode, test each of your newly programmed key fobs to ensure they are working correctly. You should be able to lock and unlock the doors and, if equipped, activate other remote functions.
Troubleshooting and Tips
- Battery Check: If your key fob is not programming, or if it’s working intermittently, the first thing to check is the battery. The 1996 Lincoln Town Car key fobs typically use a CR1616 battery. Ensure you are using the correct type and that it is installed with the ‘+’ side down against the plastic cover. A low battery is a common cause of programming issues.
- 7-Second Time Limit: The 7-second window between steps is crucial. If you exceed this time, the system will likely exit programming mode, and you will need to start again from Step 2. Work efficiently and have your key fobs ready.
- Permanent Code Accuracy: Double-check that you are entering the correct 5-digit permanent code. An incorrect code will prevent you from entering programming mode. If you are unable to locate your permanent code, you may need to consult a Lincoln dealership for assistance.
- Key Fob Compatibility: Ensure you are using a compatible key fob for your 1996 Lincoln Town Car. While remotes from similar year Lincoln models might look alike, they may not be compatible. If you are unsure, check the part number on your original key fob or consult a parts specialist.
Programming your 1996 Lincoln Town Car key fob is a simple DIY task that can save you time and money. By following these steps and tips, you can quickly regain the convenience of keyless entry for your classic Lincoln.
