Q and A With Your Local Friendly Locksmith
I am going to be starting a new Q and A series based on some of the emails I get throughout the week. I receive a lot of good questions through email and thought this would be a good way to share some of that information. Names and email address will be left out to protect the innocent!
Q. I ordered a remote for my 02 tundra,and it came w/programming instructions but they do not work. I must have gotten the wrong instructions. Please send me the right inst. for my tundra. Thanks
A. You might try contacting the seller and let them know you are having problems with the procedure they gave you. I think the 02 Tundra could have two possible RKE systems, dealer installed or factory installed. If the remote they sent you looks like your original factory remote then don’t worry. If the remote they sent you looks different then you may have the wrong remote.
In any case, these are the procedures:
This is the procedure for the factory installed system:
1. Start with the key out of the ignition. Open the driver door (all other doors are closed). Driver door is unlocked (other doors don’t matter)
2. Perform these steps within 5 seconds
a. Insert the key into the ignition (don’t turn it) Pull key out
b. Insert the key into the ignition (don’t turn it) Pull key out
3. Perform these steps within 40 seconds
a. Close, then open the drivers door.
b. Close, then open the drivers door.
c. Insert the key into the ignition (don’t turn it) and pull it out
4. Perform these steps within 40 seconds
a. Close, then open the drivers door.
b. Close, then open the drivers door.
c. Insert the key into the ignition and leave in the ignition.
d. Close the drivers door
Turn the ignition to ON (as far as you can go without cranking the engine), then back to off .
e. Remove the key from the ignition.
5. Within 3 seconds, the power door locks should lock then unlock automatically indicating successful entry into programming mode. Return to step 1 if the locks do not cycle at this point
6. Perform these steps within 40 seconds
a. Press the lock and unlock buttons on the transmitter simultaneously for 1.5 seconds
b. Immediately after letting go of the lock and unlock buttons, press the lock button by itself and hold for 2 seconds. Within 3 seconds, the door locks should lock then unlock once indicating successful programming. If the door locks cycle twice, repeat steps 6a and 6b as the remote was not accepted.
7. Open drivers door
This is the procedure for the dealer installed system:
Programming a remote for the 2002 Tundra (SR5 Access Cab) RS3000 System…
1. Locate the ECU next to steering column and above the air duct for the feet. ECU is NOT attached to firewall. It’s a grey box about 4″ by 4″ by 1.5″. It has a little green button on the side which is the reset button.
2. Turn key to ‘ON’ position.
3. Press green reset button on ECU for 3 seconds.
4. Within 5 seconds after releasing reset button on ECU, press and release the button on your remote you want programmed. System should ‘chirp’ if programmed correctly.
5. Turn key to ‘LOCK’ position and programming is finished.
To disable the passive arming (so it doesn’t set alarm automatically):
1. Turn key to ‘ON’.
2. Press and hold both remote buttons for 2+ seconds.
3. Press and release the top remote button twice.
4. Turn key to ‘LOCK’.
Hope that helped.
Q. ok i have a jeep grand cherokee laredo 1993 i would like to know how much a 2 button fob and programming instructions will cost me . many thanks
A. I ran a search for you, it looks like you can get one for 49.00 + shipping. This is not a factory part by Chrysler but it is compatible with your factory system. The programming should be included with your purchase.
Hope that helps.
Q. Unfortunately I’m one of the ones as referred to in your FAQ’S. I dropped my remote and everything came apart. So now I’m looking for another one. Here are my specs, can you help? IC: 3521a T04B P/N: 56038751AE FCC: KOBDT04A
A. Sure, I’d love to help! Even though your remote is broken, if the electronics are still good and the remote is working I would recommend replacing the housing.
If the electronics are broken, ie: the battery terminal has came loose or it otherwise is no longer working I would recommend replacing the entire unit.
Unfortunately I’m still in the process of building out the vehicle categories on my site and a lot of vehicles (including Durango) are missing from the Navigation Menu. If you were unable to locate it there I apologize for the inconvenience.
I do thank you for contacting me and allowing me the chance to help you.
Q. Hello there, I live in Australia and have just purchased a 2003 Chrysler Grand Voyager which I think may be the same or similar to the Chrysler Town & Country in the USA. The car came with 2 remotes, one works the other doesn’t, even after replacing the batteries. The local dealer says I need a new one but has quoted me $180 (about $150 US) for a new one. I see one that looks very similar for sale on you Chrysler section, but has a panic button. Mine doesn’t have a panic button, just lock & unlock. Do you know if these remotes will work in Australia or would they use different frequencies? Any assistance is greatly appreciated.
A. I do believe they operate on different frequencies in Australia. There does appear to be some sellers on ebay.com.au offering keyless remotes, you might check with them and see if they can provide further assistance.
Q. I searched your site and did not notice any information on how to program a Key Fob for a Pontiac Grand Prix 2007. Does this information come with a purchase? If that is so I am not objected to purchasing one from your site; I need one regardless. Please let me know so I can move forward with what needs done as I am only down to 1 key and 1 fob.
A. You can shop for one through my site if you’d like but you will need to get a dealer or locksmith to program the remote for you. A scan tool is needed to program that remote.
Q. How can I discern whether my “fob” is broken OR it’s the receiver in the car? I replaced the battery in the fob,after noticing I had to stand next to the car to get the doors to unlock, the new battery lasted for about a day then ALL functions ceased.
A. I suspect the remote is bad since it was only working from short distances and eating batteries, those symptoms usually indicate a bad remote. The only way you can know for sure is to try it with another known working remote. (beyond taking it to the dealer)
If you don’t have another remote, some auto parts stores have equipment that can test the remote for you for free, you might call around and ask a few. If you have Autozone in your area try them first.
Q.Thanks for your reply. As you suggested I went to AutoZone and found their tester. There are two test lights one says “RF” (radio frequency?) and “IF” (infra-red frequency?). All the buttons on my fob lit up the “RF” test.
However,according to the clerk the tester was only testing my battery and not that my fob was actually working?
Could this be true? The idea that the fob would produce “some type” of RF that can be detected but NOT neccessarily the correct frequency to activate MY cars’ system?
I need to satisfy myself that the problem IS the fob and not the reciever before I buy another fob.
Do you know of any other blogs that discuss RKE?
Thanks for your help
A. I do not know of any other blogs, sorry. The only way I know to for sure test this without taking it to the dealer is to try the vehicle with a known good working remote. I was in this business for a number of years and very rarely would there be anything wrong with the vehicle, 98% of the time it’s the remote that’s bad.
If you do purchase another remote and it turns out there’s an issue with your vehicle at least you can have them both programmed, so it’s not a total loss.
Q. Hi Mike I to am a locksmith with public works at the Naval Air station in {edit} and I’m trying to program a key for a 2008 GM Express van, don’t know if its even possible without a programmer, any advice would be appreciated.
A. If you have one key that is already programmed all you would do is cycle the first key OFF>>RUN, take it out and cycle the new key OFF>>RUN, wait for the security light to go out and it should be programmed.
If all keys are lost you can still program the key by cycling it OFF>>RUN wait 10 mins (leave it in the run position), repeat this step 2 more times for a total of 30 mins. After you cycle it for the last time the security light should go out.
Q. Please excuse a stupid question. I have a 2005 durango. Both fobs are stewed…You guys obviously have the best deal on them, but after I buy it from you do I just take the key anywhere to get it cut?
A. We don’t actually ship or sell the products directly, CheapFobs.com offers a comparison shopping service to help you get the best deal possible. In regard to having the keys cut, If your Durango is equipped with transponder keys they will need to be cut/programmed by a dealer or a locksmith.
When you turn the key to the run position if you see a little red (circular) light on the dash, that means it is equipped. If there is no light, any place should be able to cut the key for you.
Hope that helps.
Q. I am looking for 2001 ford mustang fob. This is what I have. A2881 3B: 2L3T-15K601-AB 4B:2S4T-15K601-AB Can you send me the link to the page and I will order from there. thanks
A. Try this
Q. How is a 2001 Buick LaSabre Limited Keyless Remote programed? Thank you for your kind assistance.
A. Give this a try >>
Important:
Before entering the programming mode, verify the possession of all the
transmitters you will be using on the vehicle. Once you program the
transmitter, the memory erases the other transmitters. You may program up to
4 transmitters
1) Turn OFF the ignition switch
2) Use a fused jumper (3 amp is sufficient) and connect terminal 8
(back/white wire) to terminal 4 (black wire)
3) Close all the doors
4) Turn ON the ignition switch
the doors will lock
5) Press and hold the following buttons on one of the transmitters for 30
seconds:
lock and unlock
6) After a 30 second delay, the doors will lock and unlock
Important:
DO NOT turn OFF the ignition . If the switch is turned OFF the first
transmitter becomes inoperative.
7) In order to program extra transmitters repeat Step 5
8.) Disconnect the fused jumper wire from the data link connector
9) Turn off ignition
10) Verify functions of all programmed transmitters.
Q. Hi, I recently bought a 99 Chevy Blazer and it does not have a remote control for entry. Could it orginally have had a remote? Is there a way to find out ? Please advise.
A. Yes you can try to put it into program mode, if it works then it is equipped. Chances are good if it has power windows and power locks.
Try this procedure >>
* Press and hold the drivers side power UNLOCK button.
* Insert the key into the ignition, cycle it ON, OFF. (do not start the engine) Repeat this step two times. (3x total)
* Release the drivers side UNLOCK button.
* The power door locks should cycle to indicate program mode.
* Press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on the fob to be programmed. The power door locks should cycle to indicate successful programming. (this may take up to 30 seconds)
* Repeat previous step for additional fobs.
* Turn the ignition ON to exit program mode.
Hope that helps
Well folks that wraps up the email Q and A for now. I’d like to thank everyone who contacted me with their questions, please do keep them coming. Don’t forget we also have a new discussion forum set up and you can ask your keyless questions there as well.
