Experiencing issues with your Subaru Legacy’s keyless entry system can be a common frustration for owners of this generation of vehicles. Like many Subaru drivers, you might find yourself suddenly locked out of the convenience of your remote key fob. If your Subaru Legacy keyless entry system has stopped working, and you’ve already checked the key fob battery, don’t worry, reprogramming your remote could be the solution. This guide will walk you through a straightforward method to reprogram your Subaru Legacy remote key fob yourself, saving you time and potentially costly trips to the dealership.
Many Subaru owners have reported instances where their keyless entry system unexpectedly stops functioning. This issue isn’t always due to a dead key fob battery. Sometimes, the vehicle’s system, possibly the Body Integrated Unit (BIU), might lose or corrupt the stored codes for your key fobs. Attempting a simple battery reset by disconnecting the car battery for an extended period often proves ineffective in these situations. The good news is that reprogramming the remote key fob can often restore the keyless entry functionality, and it’s a process you can easily undertake at home.
This guide is specifically tailored for Subaru Legacy models around the 2003 era, including the BP5 Wagon and BL5 Sedan. While the procedure was tested on a 2003 Legacy Spec B Wagon, it is highly likely to be applicable to other Subaru models from this period that utilize a similar keyless entry system. The key identifier for this method is the presence of two specific white connectors located in the driver’s side kick panel. If your Subaru has these connectors, this programming method should work for you.
Step-by-Step Guide to Reprogramming Your Subaru Legacy Remote:
1. Access the Driver’s Side Kick Panel.
To begin, you’ll need to access the driver’s side kick panel. This panel is typically located to the left of the pedals, down near the floor. You’ll find a rivet or screw securing the panel in place, often near the floor. Carefully twist and pull out this fastener. Be gentle, as these fasteners can have threads and are easily damaged if forced. Once the fastener is removed, you can gently pry the kick panel outwards to detach it and gain access to the wiring behind it.
2. Locate and Connect the White Connectors.
Behind the kick panel, search for two white connectors. These are single-wire connectors and are essential for initiating the remote programming sequence. Refer to the image below for visual guidance on identifying these connectors. Once you have located them, connect the two white connectors together.
3. Enter Programming Mode.
With the white connectors joined, you need to signal the car to enter programming mode. To do this, press the “unlock” button on the driver’s side door panel. Upon pressing the unlock button, you should hear a series of beeps. Additionally, observe the dome light inside your car; it should start flashing on and off. You may also notice the key indicator light on your dashboard flashing. These are all indicators that your Subaru Legacy has successfully entered the key fob programming mode.
4. Program Your Key Fobs.
This step is crucial: you must program all of your key fobs in one programming session. The system will only recognize the remotes programmed during this specific session. If you have multiple key fobs but only program one, the unprogrammed fobs will no longer work with your car.
To program each key fob, keep the “unlock” button on the door panel continuously pressed down. While holding the unlock button, take your first key fob and press any button on it twice (for example, press the “lock” button twice). If the programming is successful for that key fob, you should observe the door lock actuators cycling – locking and then unlocking the doors. Repeat this process for each additional key fob you wish to program, ensuring you press a button twice on each fob while still holding down the door unlock button. If you don’t see the door actuators respond, try the process again, ensuring your key fob battery is in good condition and registering around 3V. A marginally low battery can sometimes cause intermittent programming issues.
5. Exit Programming Mode and Test.
Once you have programmed all of your desired key fobs, the final and crucial step is to disconnect the two white connectors you joined in Step 2. Disconnecting these connectors effectively exits the programming mode. Now, test each of your programmed key fobs to ensure they are working correctly. You should now be able to lock and unlock your Subaru Legacy using the remote key fobs.
Troubleshooting Tips:
- Key Fob Battery: Before starting the reprogramming process, ensure that your key fob battery is in good condition. A weak battery is a common culprit for keyless entry issues. Use a voltmeter to check the battery voltage; it should ideally be around 3V. Even recently replaced batteries can sometimes be faulty, so always verify with a voltmeter. For Subaru Legacy key fobs of this era, the CR1620 battery is commonly used.
- Repeat the Process: If you don’t get it right on the first try, don’t be discouraged. Carefully go through each step again. Ensure the white connectors are securely connected and disconnected at the correct times, and that you are holding the door unlock button throughout the key fob programming stage.
By following these steps, you should be able to successfully reprogram your Subaru Legacy remote key fob and restore the convenience of keyless entry. This DIY method is a straightforward solution that can save you the hassle and expense of dealership reprogramming services.
