For owners of the 2011 Chevy Silverado, the quest for a replacement or additional key fob can quickly turn frustrating and expensive. Unlike older models, the 2011 Silverado and newer trucks no longer offer the simple in-vehicle programming procedure through the Driver Information Center (DIC) that many were accustomed to. The common understanding is that you’re forced to visit a dealership or professional garage, requiring specialized Tech II tools and incurring hefty programming fees.
The Frustration of 2011+ Silverado Key Fob Programming
Online forums and discussions are filled with Silverado owners lamenting the perceived necessity of expensive dealer programming for key fobs. This shift in programming methods for 2011 and newer models has left many feeling cornered, believing the only option is to pay premium prices for what should be a straightforward process. Quotes from dealerships can be surprisingly high, making a simple key fob replacement a significant expense.
Dorman 99162: A DIY Key Fob Programming Solution for Your 2011 Chevy Silverado
However, there’s good news for 2011 Chevy Silverado owners seeking a more budget-friendly approach. Dorman, a well-known manufacturer of automotive parts, offers a key fob replacement kit (Dorman 99162) that includes an OBD II programmer module. This innovative solution empowers you to program your own key fobs at home, eliminating the need for dealer intervention and those unwelcome costs. Priced typically between $50 and $75, this kit presents a significant saving opportunity.
[ ]
I personally purchased the Dorman 99162 kit from Rock Auto for my 2011 Silverado and was impressed by its ease of use and effectiveness. For around $50, I successfully programmed two new key fobs – one included in the kit and another purchased separately online – as well as reprogrammed my original fob. This gave me a functional set of three key fobs for a fraction of the cost of a single dealer programming service.
Simple Steps to Program Your 2011 Chevy Silverado Key Fob with the Dorman Kit
The Dorman OBD II programmer module makes the 2011 Chevy Silverado Key Fob programming process surprisingly straightforward. The kit comes with detailed instructions, but here’s a quick rundown of the steps:
- Ignition ON: Turn your Silverado’s ignition to the “ON” position, ensuring the engine is not started.
- Close Doors: Make sure all vehicle doors are fully closed.
- Connect Programmer: Plug the Dorman OBD II module into your vehicle’s OBD II port (typically located under the dashboard on the driver’s side). The Driver Information Center (DIC) should display a message indicating that key fob relearning is active.
- Wait for Chime: Allow the module to initialize. It will chime to signal readiness for programming.
- Program Key Fob: Press and hold both the “LOCK” and “UNLOCK” buttons on the key fob you wish to program. When the module chimes again, the key fob is successfully programmed. Release the buttons.
- Program Additional Fobs: Repeat step 5 for any additional key fobs you want to program, including your existing ones.
- Relearning Deactivation: The module will chime continuously when the relearning mode is deactivated, indicating the programming session is complete.
- Module Usage Limit: Note that the Dorman programmer module has a security feature that limits its use to approximately 3 programming cycles.
A Cost-Effective DIY Solution for 2011 Chevy Silverado Key Fobs
The Dorman 99162 key fob kit offers a truly game-changing solution for 2011 Chevy Silverado owners. It bypasses the expensive dealer programming requirement and puts the power of key fob programming back in your hands. By choosing this DIY approach, you can save significant money and gain the convenience of programming your own key fobs whenever needed. If you’re looking for a cost-effective and easy way to handle 2011 Chevy Silverado key fob replacement or programming, the Dorman OBD II programmer kit is definitely worth considering.
