Experiencing issues with your Cadillac key fob can be frustrating, especially when it suddenly becomes unresponsive. Like many Cadillac owners, you might find yourself with a key fob that’s no longer recognized by your vehicle, even after replacing the battery. Fortunately, reprogramming your Cadillac key fob is a straightforward process you can do yourself, saving you a trip to the dealership. This guide will walk you through the steps to reprogram your Cadillac key fob, ensuring you regain full access and control of your vehicle.
Step-by-Step Guide to Reprogramming Your Cadillac Key Fob
This procedure is designed to help you reprogram both new and previously unrecognized key fobs for your Cadillac. Before you begin, ensure you have all necessary key fobs with you – both the working (recognized) and the non-working (unrecognized) ones.
Step 1: Prepare Your Vehicle and Key Fobs
Begin by ensuring your Cadillac is completely turned off. Gather all the key fobs you intend to program. For this process, you’ll need to access the trunk key cylinder, typically located on the driver’s side rear fascia.
Step 2: Access the Programming Mode
- Locate the key cylinder on the rear fascia, driver’s side of your Cadillac.
- Insert your vehicle key into this cylinder.
- Turn the key five times in quick succession (within 5 seconds). It’s crucial to perform these turns swiftly to activate the programming sequence.
Step 3: Program the New/Unrecognized Fob
After successfully turning the key, the Driver Information Center (DIC) inside your Cadillac will display a message indicating it’s “READY FOR FOB #X.” The ‘X’ will represent the next available fob number in the sequence.
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Open your passenger side glove box.
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Locate the transmitter pocket inside the glove box. This pocket is specifically designed to program key fobs and can be found on the left side. It might be a small slot, so feel around if necessary.
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Place the unrecognized key fob into this transmitter pocket, ensuring the button side is facing to the right.
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Once the fob is successfully programmed, you will hear a beep sound, confirming the programming is complete.
Step 4: Verify Programming
To finalize the process and exit the programming mode, press the ACC button in your Cadillac. Your newly programmed key fob should now be recognized and function correctly with your vehicle.
After these steps, test all the buttons on the reprogrammed fob to ensure they are working as expected – locking and unlocking doors, remote start (if applicable), and panic button.
What to Do If Your Key Fob Battery Dies
Even with a dead or weak key fob battery, you can still start your Cadillac in an emergency. If your DIC displays “NO FOBS DETECTED” when attempting to start the vehicle, follow these steps:
- Place the key fob into the glove box transmitter pocket (buttons facing right), just as in the reprogramming steps.
- With your vehicle in Park (P), firmly press the brake pedal.
- Press the Start button.
This procedure will allow you to start your Cadillac despite the low battery in your fob. However, it’s crucial to replace the key fob battery as soon as possible to avoid future inconveniences.
Reprogramming your Cadillac key fob is a simple process that can save you time and money. By following these steps, you can quickly resolve key fob recognition issues and get back on the road with confidence.
