OT:? about keyless entry key fobs

[redtom]

Daughters key fob quit. The prong for the battery broke off inside. A more skilled person than me may be able to solder it, but I was looking at new ones on ebay. I assume that you must program them when you get a new one, right. Can I get one from the junkyard and reprogram it? I don't have a problem using the key for entry but I like her to have it for quick entry for safety and the panic feature.
 

[John B.]

They have to be programmed to the vehicle by a dealer. I think they also need their dealer code. They have a machine to test them with. I just had an extra one programmed for my daughter's car too!
 

[old popper]

How spendy is it to have the dealer program them to your car? I'd like to get one for my old Buick, the original quit.
 

[Bryan inIowa]

I solder on the broken battery tabs a lot ,,some work some don't . Most shops with up to date scanner can program them . I program with my snap on Modis or Techll . I get 20 bucks to program them ,takes 10-15 minutes . with a used one you run the risk of another broken battery tab .
 

[John B.]

It didn't cost us anything. We bought a used car from them on a Saturday. One of the remotes didn't work and no one was in the service dept to reprogram it. I took it down one day last week and it took about 30 minutes by the time they worked me in. A new one cost about $75 and they have to program it to your car. I would make an appointment so they know you're coming. You won't have to wait as long.
 

[old popper]

Thanks, I'll look into that. Dale
 

[John730D]

I've bought from eBay, and programmed them myself. Owners manual tells you how.
 

[rd 2N in mo]

Look in the owners manual. It tells you all you need to do and it is best to get new batteries for all of them at the same time to replace them. Dealer just wants to cover overhead.
 

[bruce vande]

Bought one used from a parts yard here for $20.
Dealer I bought the car from programmed it free.
 

[redtom]

So, I'm confused. Can I program it myself with the owners manual or do I need the dealer or a scanner? Which is it?
 

[RayP(MI)]

Had a couple left over from a car wife totaled... Had my auto electric shop try to program to a current car - they came up empty.
Was same brand of vehicle, and appropriate serial numbers. What actually happens (GM -vehicles, at least mine,) is that the car is programmed to accept the fob's signal.
 

[Walt Davies]

Go to Car Toys and get a new one it will come with the instruction on how to program it, it not hard to do.
Used ones will only give a headeack not knowing how to program it.
Walt
 

[wisbaker]

Depends- depends on what it is and when it was built. Some makes (think Ford) require you have two keys or fobs already programmed to the car to add devices or you need to take it to a dealer or locksmith to program new devises. Others (GM same era) require you have one key/fob to unlock the car's computer to program another device or you do the dealer/locksmith thing. Still others (new Chrysler) require you go to a dealer or locksmith and they have to plug in the machine and expend a code they purchase to unlock the computer and add devices. The code is a one time use thing for them. Seems some of this is driven by the rental car and insurance industry. With the Ford or Mopar system you can't clone a key for a car you have but don't own (think rental, valet parking, instant oil change place, car wash....)so they can come back and help themselves later.
 

[Ray]

The dealerships sell them and program them.
 

[omahagreg]

Depends on year and make of vehicle. I was able to program our new key fob to our 2002 Chevy Trailblazer myself.