Are you struggling to program a new or replacement key fob for your 2011 Chevy Silverado? Many Silverado owners find themselves facing expensive dealer visits when they need an extra key fob or a replacement. It’s a common misconception that for 2011 and newer models, programming a key fob requires a trip to the dealership and their specialized Tech II equipment. You might have even read online discussions suggesting this is the only route, leading to considerable costs and inconvenience.
However, there’s good news! You don’t have to spend a fortune or waste time at the dealer. A cost-effective and user-friendly solution exists: the Dorman replacement key fob kit with an OBD II programmer. This kit bypasses the need for dealership programming, allowing you to program key fobs yourself right at home for a fraction of the price. For around $50 to $75, you can obtain a Dorman kit that includes everything you need to program your 2011 Chevy Silverado key fob quickly and easily.
I personally used the Dorman 99162 kit, purchased from Rock Auto for just $50, for my 2011 Silverado. It was incredibly straightforward to program not only the new key fob that came with the kit but also an additional fob I bought online, and even reprogram my original key fob. Now I have a daily carry fob and two spares, all programmed myself without any dealer intervention.
The programming process with the Dorman OBD II module is surprisingly simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get your key fob programmed in minutes:
- Ignition ON: Turn your Chevy Silverado’s ignition to the ON position. Do not start the engine.
- Close Doors: Ensure all doors of your Silverado are completely closed.
- Plug in Programmer: Locate your Silverado’s OBD II port (usually under the dashboard on the driver’s side) and plug in the Dorman OBD II programmer module. Once plugged in, your driver information center (DIC) should display a message indicating that key fob relearning is active, similar to the manual process available on older Silverado models (2008-2010).
- Wait for Chime: Wait a few moments until the module emits a chime sound. This indicates it’s ready to program a key fob.
- Program Key Fob: Press and hold both the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons simultaneously 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 new key fobs you want to program, including reprogramming your existing fobs if desired.
- Relearning Deactivated: When the module starts chiming continuously, it signifies that the relearning mode has been deactivated, and you have completed the programming process.
- Module Limit: Be aware that this Dorman module can be used to repeat this programming procedure up to 3 times before it becomes inactive, which is a security feature to prevent unauthorized use.
This Dorman solution is a game-changer for 2011 and newer Chevy Silverado owners. It’s a DIY alternative that saves you significant money and hassle compared to dealer programming. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars at a dealership, you can program multiple key fobs for under $75. As long as any additional key fobs you purchase are compatible with your Chevy Silverado, the Dorman programmer module will handle the programming effortlessly. Say goodbye to dealer dependence and hello to easy, affordable key fob programming!
