Experiencing issues with your Cadillac key fob? Perhaps it’s stopped working after a battery change, or maybe you’ve acquired a new or used fob that needs to be synced with your vehicle. Don’t worry, programming a Cadillac key fob can often be done right at home without a trip to the dealership. This guide will walk you through the process to get your key fob working seamlessly with your Cadillac again.
Understanding how to program your Cadillac key fob is a valuable skill for any owner. Key fobs rely on electronic programming to communicate with your vehicle’s computer system, enabling features like remote locking, unlocking, and starting. When a key fob battery dies or a new fob is introduced, this programming can be lost or needs to be established. Luckily, Cadillac has designed a user-friendly procedure to reprogram your key fob, and we’re here to show you exactly how it’s done.
Here’s a simple, step-by-step method to program your Cadillac key fob:
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Ensure Vehicle is Off and Gather Your Transmitters: Begin by turning off your Cadillac completely. You will need both the recognized key fob (the one that currently works with your car) and the new or unrecognized transmitter that you wish to program. Have both of these key fobs with you as you proceed.
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Locate the Key Cylinder on the Trunk: Go to the rear of your Cadillac. On the driver’s side of the lower rear fascia, you’ll find a key cylinder. This is where you will manually use your vehicle key.
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Open the Trunk and Initiate Programming Sequence: Insert your vehicle key into the key cylinder you just located. Turn the key five times in quick succession, within a five-second timeframe. This action signals to your Cadillac that you want to initiate the key fob programming mode.
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Wait for the DIC Message: After turning the key, pay attention to your Driver Information Center (DIC) display, usually located in your instrument cluster. It should display a message that reads “READY FOR FOB #X”. The ‘X’ will indicate the next available fob number to be programmed.
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Place Unrecognized Transmitter in Glove Box Pocket: Open your passenger side glove box. Locate the transmitter pocket inside. It’s a small, often hidden pocket on the left side of the glove box. You might need to feel around to find it. Once located, place the unrecognized key fob into this pocket, ensuring the button side of the fob is facing to the right.
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Programming Confirmation: Once the transmitter is successfully programmed, you will hear an audible beep from your Cadillac, confirming the programming is complete.
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Press the ACC Button: Finally, press the ACC (Accessory) button in your vehicle. This step finalizes the programming procedure.
After completing these steps, your newly programmed Cadillac key fob should be fully functional. It’s important to note that Cadillac vehicles can typically have up to four transmitters programmed to them. If you’re reprogramming a fob that was previously unrecognized, it may take up a new fob number in your car’s system.
Emergency Start with a Dead Key Fob Battery
It’s also good to know that even if your Cadillac key fob battery is dead and the DIC displays “NO FOBS DETECTED” when you try to start your vehicle, you can still start the car in an emergency. Simply place the fob into the glove box transmitter pocket, buttons facing right, and then with the vehicle in Park, press the brake pedal and then the Start button. This will allow you to start your Cadillac, giving you time to replace the key fob battery as soon as possible.
By following these steps, you can confidently program your Cadillac key fob and ensure you always have access to your vehicle. This simple procedure can save you time and money, getting you back on the road quickly.
