After over a decade of dependable service from my factory GM key fobs on my 2007 Pontiac GXP, they finally gave up the ghost. Seeking a cost-effective solution and wanting to avoid the dealership, I opted for a Dorman key fob programmer kit from a local auto parts store a few months back. Having lived with this aftermarket solution for a while now, I wanted to share my experience to help others considering the Dorman programmer. In short: they do work, they save you money, and definitely bypass a potentially expensive dealership visit – all big wins. But there are a few things you should be aware of.
Alt text: Dorman key fob programmer kit box, showcasing the programmer device and a blank key fob, highlighting a cost-effective DIY car key solution.
The Upsides of a Dorman Key Fob Programmer
First off, programming was incredibly straightforward. The Dorman key fob programmer is truly user-friendly. It only takes a few minutes to complete the process, and there’s a definite sense of satisfaction in successfully programming your own key fob and thinking “Yes! No dealership needed!”. That feeling of self-reliance and saved money is a major plus.
However, shortly after programming my new Dorman fob, the “key fob battery low” warning popped up on my driver information center (DIC). Interestingly, I hadn’t even known my Solstice had this feature! My original factory fob had a completely dead battery and never triggered any warning. This was the first unexpected quirk I encountered with the aftermarket fob.
Alt text: Car dashboard with a prominent “Key Fob Battery Low” warning message illuminated, indicating a common issue reported with aftermarket key fobs after programming.
Another thing to note is that the Dorman programmer gives you a limited number of programming attempts – just three. Initially, I thought this wouldn’t be an issue since you only need to program your fobs once, right? Well, as I soon discovered, that limit can become relevant.
The Three-Attempt Limit and Unexpected Car Compatibility Issues
Reading online forums, I learned that switching to a key fob from a different manufacturer might resolve the low battery warning issue. Intrigued and wanting to test this out, I ordered a pair of the cheapest aftermarket key fobs I could find online. My plan was foolproof, or so I thought.
“Son,” I confidently announced, having recently acquired a 2006 Pontiac Solstice NA without any key fobs for my son, “it’s no big deal. I already have a key fob programmer, and we can get some inexpensive fobs online. I’ll use one of these new fobs to hopefully get rid of that low battery warning on mine, and you can have the other. My programmer has three uses; I’ve only used one, so I’ll reprogram my car, program these two new fobs, and the warning will be gone. Then, I’ll use the third programming slot to program a fob for your car.” Genius, right?
Alt text: Pair of generic aftermarket car key fobs shown together, representing affordable alternatives for vehicle keyless entry systems, often used with key fob programmers.
The cheap fobs arrived, and I proceeded to reprogram my Dorman fob along with one of the new fobs. Everything seemed to work perfectly. The new fob, as reported online, hasn’t triggered the low battery warning in my car. Success! Feeling like a DIY champion, we moved on to programming a fob for my son’s 2006 Solstice. And then… nothing. The programmer simply wouldn’t program the fob to his car.
My first thought was self-doubt. “How many beers did I have the first time I used this programmer? Did I accidentally use up two programming attempts on my car?”. Any parent knows that sinking feeling when you confidently explain something to your kids, only to be proven wrong and feel, well, a bit foolish.
After some late-night online research, I discovered the surprising culprit: the 2006 Solstice has a completely different keyless entry system than all subsequent model years (2007 and later). The next morning, I had to make another trip to the auto parts store and purchase another Dorman key fob programmer, specifically for the 2006 Solstice. Thankfully, this second programmer worked perfectly. Now, both cars have programmed key fobs, and yes, my son’s 2006 Solstice also gets the low key fob battery warning with its programmed aftermarket fob.
Conclusion: Key Fob Programmers – A Useful Tool with Caveats
Alt text: Two Dorman key fob programmers pictured, emphasizing the potential requirement for multiple programmers when dealing with different car models or year variations due to system incompatibilities.
So, are aftermarket key fob programmers like the Dorman worth it? Yes, absolutely. They are easy to use, save you money, and get the job done, allowing you to bypass the dealership for key fob programming. However, be aware of the potential “key fob battery low” warning, the limited number of programming attempts, and, crucially, the possibility of compatibility issues depending on your car’s year and model. Always do your research to ensure compatibility and understand the limitations before you buy. Especially when dealing with different model years within the same car line, like the Pontiac Solstice, subtle but significant differences in vehicle systems can exist. Knowing this in advance can save you time, frustration, and an extra trip back to the auto parts store.
