Lost your car remote or need to reprogram it for your older vehicle? Before you rush to a dealership or order a new one, you might be able to reprogram your existing remote yourself, especially if your car is a model from before 1998. This guide will walk you through the process of programming your car remote for many older vehicles, potentially saving you time and money.
Step-by-Step Guide to Reprogramming Your Pre-1998 Car Remote
This method is commonly effective for many older car models, particularly those from the late 1990s and earlier. It’s crucial to have all your remotes for the vehicle on hand before starting. Ensure all doors and the trunk or hatch are completely closed throughout the programming process. You only need one working remote to enter programming mode, but you must program all remotes you intend to use during the same session. Each step must be completed within 5 seconds of the previous one unless otherwise noted.
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Get Inside Your Vehicle: Sit in the driver’s seat and ensure all doors and the trunk are tightly shut.
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Ignition to “ON” and Remote “Lock”: Insert your key into the ignition. Turn the key to the “ON” position (usually marked as “II” on the ignition bezel). This should turn on your dashboard lights. Within 5 seconds of turning the key to “ON”, press and release the “Lock” button on one of your remotes for about one second.
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Ignition to “OFF”: Turn the ignition key to the “OFF” position (typically marked as “I” on the bezel). This will turn off your dashboard lights.
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Repeat the Cycle (Three More Times): Repeat steps 2 and 3 three more times, for a total of four cycles. Remember, each step must be completed within 5 seconds of the last. This rapid sequence is key to entering programming mode.
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Enter Programming Mode: On the fourth turn of the key to the “ON” position, immediately press the “Lock” button on one of the remotes. If successful, you should hear the car locks cycle, making a distinct “clunk” sound. It’s important to note that the doors will likely not lock or unlock at this point; the cycling sound indicates that the system has entered programming mode. Do not turn the key off after this step.
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Program Each Remote: Within 5 seconds of entering programming mode, and then within 5 seconds of programming each subsequent remote, press and release the “Lock” button on each remote you wish to program. For each successful remote programming, you should hear the locks cycle again. This step must be completed within 10 seconds in total to program all remotes. You can typically program up to 3 remotes using this method.
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Exit Programming Mode and Test: Turn the ignition key completely to the “OFF” position and remove the key from the ignition. Open the car door and step out, closing the door behind you. Now, test each of your programmed remotes to ensure they are working correctly. For trunk or hatch release buttons, you may need to press and hold the button for a few seconds for the trunk or hatch to open.
Troubleshooting and Tips
- Timing is Crucial: The 5-second timing between steps is critical for this programming sequence to work. If you don’t hear the locks cycle in step 5, you may need to repeat the entire process, paying close attention to the timing.
- Battery Check: Ensure the batteries in your remotes are new or in good condition. Weak batteries can prevent successful programming.
- Remote Compatibility: While this method is common for many older vehicles, it’s not universal. If these steps don’t work, consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual for specific remote programming instructions or search online for instructions specific to your car’s make, model, and year.
- Used Remotes: If you need to replace a lost or damaged remote, consider purchasing a used genuine remote online from reputable sources like eBay. Search for remotes specifically for your car’s year, make, and model to ensure compatibility. Be aware that there can sometimes be differences even within the same car model (e.g., EX vs. DX trim levels as mentioned in the original note), so specificity is important.
- Avoid Aftermarket Remotes (Potentially): While aftermarket remotes are available, genuine manufacturer remotes often offer better reliability and compatibility. If you opt for an aftermarket remote, ensure it’s designed for your specific vehicle.
Finding Replacement Remotes
If you need a replacement remote, dealerships can be expensive. Exploring online marketplaces like eBay or specialized car parts websites can be a more cost-effective option. When searching, be precise with your vehicle’s year, make, and model to find a compatible remote. Look for genuine manufacturer remotes for the best performance.
By following these steps, you can often successfully program your car remote for pre-1998 vehicles, saving yourself the expense of dealership programming or new remote purchases.
