Losing or damaging your car key fob can be a stressful experience. If you’re a Chevy owner and find yourself with a new, unprogrammed key fob, or perhaps you bought a used Chevy with only one working fob, you might be wondering how to get your new key fob working. Fortunately, programming a Chevy key fob can often be done at home without a trip to the dealership. This guide will walk you through the process of programming your Chevy key fob, even if you don’t have a recognized, working fob.
Programming Your Chevy Key Fob When You Don’t Have a Recognized Transmitter
This method is specifically for situations where you do not have an existing, programmed key fob, or if you only have one. This procedure might seem a bit lengthy, taking approximately 30 minutes, but it’s designed to ensure the security of your vehicle. Before you begin, make sure your Chevy is turned off, and have all the key fobs you intend to program with you. It’s important to note that Canadian regulations may require owners to visit their dealer for key fob programming.
Here are the steps to program your Chevy key fob without a recognized transmitter:
-
Prepare the Driver’s Door: Locate the key lock cylinder cap on your driver’s side door handle and remove it. You’ll need to access the physical key lock cylinder. Insert your Chevy key into this lock cylinder on the door handle.
-
Initiate Programming Mode: Turn the key in the door lock cylinder to the unlock position five times within a 10-second timeframe. After performing this step correctly, the Driver Information Center (DIC) inside your vehicle should display the message “REMOTE LEARN PENDING, PLEASE WAIT.”
-
First 10-Minute Wait: Now, you’ll need to wait patiently. For approximately 10 minutes, the DIC will display the “REMOTE LEARN PENDING, PLEASE WAIT” message. Do not interrupt this process. After the wait, the DIC should change to display “PRESS START BUTTON TO LEARN.”
-
Press the Power Button (First Time): Once you see “PRESS START BUTTON TO LEARN” on the DIC, press the POWER button (often marked with a ‘O’ symbol) on your center console or dashboard. The DIC will revert back to showing “REMOTE LEARN PENDING, PLEASE WAIT.”
-
Second 10-Minute Wait: You’ll need to repeat the waiting process. Wait another 10 minutes while the DIC displays “REMOTE LEARN PENDING, PLEASE WAIT.” Again, do not interrupt the process. After this second wait, the DIC will again display “PRESS START BUTTON TO LEARN.”
-
Press the Power Button (Second Time): Just like before, when you see “PRESS START BUTTON TO LEARN,” press the POWER button once more. The DIC will once again show “REMOTE LEARN PENDING, PLEASE WAIT.”
-
Third 10-Minute Wait & Memory Reset: This is the final waiting period. Wait for a third 10-minute interval with the “REMOTE LEARN PENDING, PLEASE WAIT” message displayed. After this third wait, your Chevy will have cleared its memory of previously programmed key fobs. This is important: all previously programmed key fobs will no longer work after this step. The DIC should now display “READY FOR REMOTE #1.”
-
Access the Transmitter Pocket: Open your center console storage area and locate and remove the rubber mat at the bottom. Beneath this mat, you will find the transmitter pocket.
-
Place and Program the New Fob: Take your new, unprogrammed key fob and place it directly into this transmitter pocket.
-
Hold the Power Button: Press and hold the POWER button for approximately two seconds. When your Chevy successfully programs the key fob, the DIC will indicate that it’s ready to program the next remote, usually displaying something like “READY FOR REMOTE #2” (if you have additional fobs to program).
-
Test and Program Additional Fobs: Remove the programmed key fob from the transmitter pocket and press the lock or unlock button to test if it’s working correctly. If you have more key fobs to program, repeat steps 9 and 10 for each additional fob.
-
Exit Programming Mode: Once you have programmed all your desired key fobs, press and hold the POWER button for about 12 seconds. This action will exit the key fob programming mode.
-
Reassemble Key Fob: Return the physical key back into your newly programmed key fob if it was separate.
Alt text: Driver Information Center (DIC) displaying ‘REMOTE LEARN PENDING, PLEASE WAIT’ message during Chevy key fob programming process.
By following these steps carefully, you should be able to program your new Chevy key fob and regain full remote functionality for your vehicle. Remember to be patient during the waiting periods and ensure you follow each step precisely for successful programming. If you encounter any issues, consulting your Chevy owner’s manual or contacting a certified Chevrolet dealer is always recommended.
