Lost your car starter remote or need to program a new one? It can be a frustrating situation, but luckily, programming a new car starter remote is often a straightforward process you can do yourself. This guide will walk you through the steps, ensuring you can get back to conveniently starting your car remotely.
There are typically two main procedures for programming a remote, depending on whether you are using the vehicle’s owner’s manual procedure for additional remotes or a procedure specific to the remote start system itself. Remote start key fobs are generally programmed through the Remote Start Unit. For Ford factory remote start systems, the following procedure is commonly effective and can be adapted for many systems.
Adding Remote Controls to Your System
Most systems can operate with multiple remote controls, often up to eight. Here’s how to add a new remote to your system:
- Disarm and Turn Off: Ensure your car’s security system is disarmed and the ignition is completely off.
- Open Driver’s Door: Open the driver’s side door. This is often a necessary step to initiate the programming sequence.
- Ignition ON: Turn your vehicle’s ignition to the “on” position. Do not start the engine, just turn the key to the point where the dashboard lights up.
- Locate and Press the Programming/Override Button: Find the programming or override button. This is usually located under the instrument panel, often near the steering column. Press and hold this button.
- Wait for Horn Chirps: Keep holding the button. After approximately 15 seconds, the horn should chirp three times. These chirps indicate that the system has successfully entered the remote control programming mode.
- Release Button: Release the programming/override button immediately after you hear the three horn chirps.
- Program the New Remote: Press the button on the new remote control you wish to program. After pressing a button on the remote, you should hear a single horn chirp or siren sound. This sound confirms that the system has “learned” and recognized the new remote control.
- Program Additional Remotes (If Needed): If you have more remotes to program, repeat step 6 for each additional remote.
- Exit Programming Mode: Turn the vehicle ignition off to exit the programming mode. This step is crucial to save the programmed remotes.
- Test: Test all programmed remote controls to ensure they are working correctly. Try locking, unlocking, and remote starting your vehicle to confirm proper functionality.
Deleting Remotes: Removing Lost or Stolen Remotes
If a remote is lost or stolen, or you simply want to clear out old remotes, you can delete them from the system’s memory. Here are a couple of methods to delete remote control transmitters:
- Reprogramming All Transmitter Locations: By reprogramming all eight transmitter code locations as described above, you effectively overwrite any previously programmed remotes that you do not reprogram during the process. Only the remotes programmed in the current session will remain active.
- Using the Door Unlock Switch (for vehicles with factory RKE): If your vehicle has factory-installed Remote Keyless Entry (RKE), there’s often a quicker method. While the PowerCode system is in transmitter learn mode (after the horn chirps in step 5 above), pressing the vehicle’s door-mounted “unlock” switch will erase all previously learned transmitters. After this, you will need to reprogram all the remotes you want to use, including the ones that were previously working.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you encounter issues programming your remote, consider these troubleshooting steps:
- Check the Remote Battery: Ensure the battery in your new remote is new and correctly installed. A weak battery is a common culprit for programming failures.
- Verify Remote Compatibility: Make sure the new remote is compatible with your specific car starter system. Check the part number or consult your remote start system’s manual to confirm compatibility. Swapping the back cover of a remote with an incompatible one can also cause issues.
- Repeat the Procedure Carefully: Programming sequences can be timing-sensitive. Carefully re-read and repeat the steps, ensuring each step is followed precisely.
By following these instructions, you should be able to program your new car starter remote successfully. If you continue to experience difficulties, it may be best to consult a professional car audio installer or your vehicle’s dealership for assistance.
