GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

The Keyless Access System transmitter functions will work up to 195 feet (60 m) away from the vehicle.

The Keyless Access System lets you lock and unlock the doors and access the trunk without removing the remote transmitter from your pocket, purse, briefcase, etc. The keyless access transmitter must be within 3 feet (1 m) of the door or trunk being opened.

Keyless Unlocking

With the keyless access transmitter in range, approach the front door to unlock it and pull the handle to open the door. All doors will unlock when you approach the vehicle with the keyless access transmitter and open the driver’s door.

With the keyless access transmitter in range, pull the rear door handle once to unlock the door and a second time to open the door.

To customize which doors unlock when the driver's door handle is pulled, see "Keyless Unlock" under DIC Vehicle Customization.

Keyless Locking

The doors lock after several seconds if all doors are closed and at least one keyless access transmitter has been removed from the interior of the vehicle. To customize whether the doors automatically lock when you exit the vehicle, see "Keyless Locking" under DIC Vehicle Customization.

Keyless Trunk Opening

Press the trunk release button located on the trunk lid above the license plate to open the trunk if the keyless access transmitter is within range.

There are other conditions which can affect the performance of the transmitter. See Keyless Access System.

With Remote Start Shown, Without Similar


Object Number: 1657535  Size: A3
(Lock): Press once to lock the doors. The turn signal indicators flash. When is pressed twice, the turn signal indicators flash twice, and the horn sounds once to confirm locking. To program the vehicle so the turn signal indicators do not flash and the horn does not sound when pressing on the keyless access transmitter, see "Remote Door Lock Feedback" under DIC Vehicle Customization.

(Unlock): Press once to unlock only the driver door. The turn signal indicators flash twice. Press twice within five seconds to unlock all the doors. The interior lamps may come on. To program the vehicle so the turn signal indicators do not flash and the fog lamps and reverse lamps remain on steady for about 20 seconds when the keyless access transmitter is used to unlock the vehicle, see "Remote Door Unlock Feedback" under DIC Vehicle Customization. For vehicles with the memory feature, press on the keyless access transmitter to program and recall the memory settings. See Memory Seat, Mirrors and Steering Wheel for more information.

(Remote Start): Press to operate the remote start feature. See Remote Vehicle Start for additional information.

(Trunk): Press and hold for about one second to unlock the trunk. If the engine is running, the shift lever must be in P (Park) for an automatic transmission or in Neutral with the parking brake set for a manual transmission.

(Vehicle Locator/Panic Alarm): Press and release to locate the vehicle. The horn sounds three times and the turn signal lamps flash three times. Press and hold for three seconds to sound the panic alarm. The horn sounds and the turn signal lamps flash for 30 seconds. Press and release again to stop the alarm.

The vehicle comes with two transmitters. Each transmitter will have a number on top of it, "1" or "2". These numbers correspond to the driver of the vehicle. For example, the memory seat position for driver 1 will be recalled when using the transmitter labeled "1", if enabled through the DIC. See Memory Seat, Mirrors and Steering Wheel and DIC Vehicle Customizationfor more information.

Programming Transmitters to the Vehicle

Only keyless access transmitters programmed to the vehicle will work. If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can be purchased and programmed through your dealer/retailer. The vehicle can be reprogrammed so that lost or stolen transmitters no longer work. Each vehicle can have up to four transmitters matched to it.

Programming with a Recognized Transmitter

A new transmitter can be programmed to the vehicle when there is one recognized transmitter. For vehicles sold in Canada, two recognized transmitters are required to program a new transmitter.

  1. The vehicle must be off.
  2. Both the recognized and new transmitters must be with you.
  3. Insert the vehicle key into the key lock cylinder located on the outside of the driver door.
  4. Turn the key to the unlock position five times within five seconds.
  5. The Driver Information Center (DIC) displays Ready To Learn Electronic Key #2, 3 or 4.

  6. Object Number: 2062025  Size: B3
  7. Place the new transmitter into the transmitter pocket with the buttons facing the front of the vehicle. The transmitter pocket is inside the center console storage area located between the driver and front passenger seats.
  8. A beep sounds once the transmitter is programmed. The DIC displays Ready To Learn Electronic Key #3 or 4, or Maximum # Electronic Keys Learned.
  9. Press the ignition control knob to exit programming mode.
  10. Remove the transmitter from the transmitter pocket and press on the keyless access transmitter two times.
  11. To program additional transmitters, repeat Steps 6 through 9.

Programming without a Recognized Transmitter

United States owners are permitted to program a new transmitter to their vehicle when a recognized transmitter is not available. The Canadian immobilizer standard requires that Canadian owners see their dealer/retailer for programming new transmitters when two recognized transmitters are not available.

The procedure requires three, ten minute cycles to complete the matching process.

  1. The vehicle must be off.

  2. Object Number: 2062025  Size: B3
  3. Place the new transmitter into the transmitter pocket with the buttons facing the front of the vehicle. The transmitter pocket is inside the center console storage area located between the driver and front passenger seats.
  4. Insert the vehicle key into the key lock cylinder located on the driver door.
  5. Turn the key to the unlock position five times within five seconds.
  6. The DIC displays Press Start Control To Learn Keys.
  7. Press the ignition switch in.
  8. The DIC reads Learn Delay Active Wait XX Min and counts down to zero.
  9. The DIC displays Press Start Control To Learn Keys again.
  10. Press the ignition switch in again.
  11. Repeat Steps 7, 8 and 9.
  12. The DIC reads Learn Delay Active Wait XX Min and counts down to zero.
  13. A beep sounds and the DIC reads Ready To Learn Electronic Key # X. All previously known transmitter programming has been erased.
  14. A beep sounds once programming is complete. The DIC displays Ready To Learn Electronic Key # 2.
  15. To program additional transmitters, insert each transmitter in the pocket until a beep is heard and the DIC advances to the next electronic key number. Up to four transmitters can be programmed. The DIC displays Maximum # Electronic Keys Learned and exits the programming mode.

    Press the ignition control knob to complete the process.

  16. Press the ignition control knob if programming is complete.
  17. Press on each newly programmed transmitter to complete the process.

Starting the Vehicle with a Low Transmitter Battery

Replace the battery if the Replace Battery In Remote Key message displays in the DIC. See "Replace Battery In Remote Key" under DIC Warnings and Messages for additional information.

If the transmitter battery is weak, the DIC may display Electronic Key Not Detected when you try to start the vehicle. To start the vehicle, place the transmitter in the center console storage area transmitter pocket with the buttons facing to the front of the vehicle. Then, with the vehicle in P (Park) or N (Neutral), press the brake pedal and the ignition control knob. See Starting the Engine , for additional information about the vehicle's electronic keyless ignition with push start. Replace the transmitter battery as soon as possible.

Battery Replacement

Notice: When replacing the battery, do not touch any of the circuitry on the transmitter. Static from your body could damage the transmitter.


Object Number: 1696401  Size: B3
  1. Separate the transmitter with a flat, thin object inserted into the slot on the side or back of the transmitter.
  2. Remove the old battery. Do not use a metal object.
  3. Insert the new battery, positive side facing down. Replace with a CR2032 or equivalent battery.
  4. Snap the transmitter back together.