Key fob programming in Raleigh

Can I program a key fob myself?

Sometimes. Some older vehicles have an on-board procedure, a sequence of key turns and button presses printed in the owner's manual, that pairs the remote buttons. Most vehicles from the last fifteen years or so need a diagnostic programmer connected to the OBD port, and nearly all need one to add a key that starts the engine. If your manual lists a procedure, try it first. It is free.

Will a fob I bought online work?

It might. Three things have to match your vehicle: the part number or FCC ID, the frequency, and the chip type. A fob that looks identical can still be the wrong one.

Be careful with used fobs. On many makes a smart key is locked to the first vehicle it was programmed to and cannot be paired with another. We will try a fob you supply, but we cannot promise that one from an unknown source will take, and we tell you that before starting.

My fob stopped working. Do I need a new one?

Check the cheap things first:

• Replace the coin battery. Most fobs take a CR2032 or CR2025, and the number is stamped on the old cell.
• Try your spare. If the spare works, the fault is in the fob. If neither works, the fault is likely in the car.
• For push-to-start cars with a dead fob battery, hold the fob against the start button or the marked spot on the column. Most cars will still start that way.

If a fresh battery does not bring it back, the fob may have lost its pairing or been damaged, and reprogramming or replacement is the fix.

Why get a spare made now?

Copying a working key is the least expensive key job there is. Replacing the only key after it is lost costs more and takes longer, because the cut has to be decoded and the car's memory reset. If you are down to one key, a spare is the cheapest insurance on the vehicle.