GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Replacing Keys North America except Canada

10-Minute Vehicle Key Relearn

Important: This procedure will only relearn the vehicle keys. This procedure will not learn the fuel enable. Do not use this procedure as a substitute for a 10-minute relearn when replacing or reprogramming a theft deterrent module (TDM). Doing so will result in a failure to learn the fuel enable password.

This 10-minute learn procedure should be used when all vehicle keys are desired to be replaced or reprogrammed. This procedure will erase all previously learned vehicle keys from the TDM. Once the 10-minute learn procedure has been completed, any remaining vehicle keys may be programmed using the Adding Keys procedure to ensure their continued functionality.

  1. Connect a scan tool to the vehicle in the pass-thru arrangement.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. Ensure that all power consuming devices are turned OFF on the vehicle.
  4. On the Techline Terminal, select Service Programming System and follow the Techline Terminal on-screen instructions, using the Legacy Pass-Thru method. Ensure the correct programming selection is chosen based on component being replaced or programmed. For this procedure, go to the V.T.D. Vehicle Theft Deterrent Learn menu and choose the Theft Deterrent Learn for Domestic Vehicles Only selection.
  5. At this point the scan tool must remain connected for the duration of the 10-minute relearn procedure.
  6. Important: 

       • The scan tool will initially display 12 Minutes. The first 2 minutes allow the scan tool to initialize the appropriate control module. The remaining 10 minutes is the relearn timer.
       • On some vehicles the security indicator may be illuminated for the duration of the 10-minute relearn procedure.

  7. Observe the scan tool, after approximately 10 minutes the scan tool will display "Programming Successful, Turn OFF Ignition". The vehicle is now ready to relearn the password on the next ignition switch transition from OFF to CRANK.
  8. Turn OFF the ignition and wait 2 minutes.
  9. With a master vehicle key, turn the ignition to the RUN position for 15 seconds, then start the vehicle. The ECM/PCM has now relearned the fuel enable password.
  10. With a scan tool, clear any DTCs.

30-Minute Vehicle Key Relearn

Important: This procedure will only relearn the vehicle keys. This procedure will not learn the fuel enable. Do not use this procedure as a substitute for a 10-minute relearn when replacing or reprogramming a TDM. Doing so will result in a failure to learn the fuel enable password.

This 30-minute learn procedure should be used when all vehicle keys are desired to be replaced or reprogrammed. This procedure will erase all previously learned vehicle keys from the TDM. Once the 30-minute learn procedure has been completed, any remaining vehicle keys may be programmed using the Adding Keys procedure to ensure their continued functionality.

  1. With an unlearned master vehicle key, turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. Observe the security indicator. After approximately 10 minutes, the telltale will turn OFF.
  3. Turn OFF the ignition, and wait 5 seconds.
  4. Repeat steps 1-3 two more times for a total of 3 cycles or 30 minutes.
  5. Important: The BCM learns the key transponder information upon the ignition switch transition from OFF to CRANK. You must turn the ignition OFF before attempting to start the vehicle.

  6. With a master vehicle key, start the vehicle. The vehicle has now learned the key transponder information.
  7. If additional keys are required to be learned, refer to Adding Keys .
  8. With a scan tool, clear any DTCs.

Replacing Keys Canada

10-Minute Vehicle Key Relearn

Important: This procedure will only relearn the vehicle keys. This procedure will not learn the immobilizer prerelease password or the challenge/response data. Do not use this procedure as a substitute for a 10-minute relearn when replacing or reprogramming a theft deterrent module (TDM). Doing so will result in a failure to learn the fuel enable password.

This 10-minute learn procedure should be used when all vehicle keys are desired to be replaced or reprogrammed. This procedure will erase all previously learned vehicle keys from the TDM. Once the 10-minute learn procedure has been completed, any remaining vehicle keys may be programmed using the Adding Keys procedure to ensure their continued functionality.

  1. Connect a scan tool to the vehicle in the pass-thru arrangement.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. Ensure that all power consuming devices are turned OFF on the vehicle.
  4. On the Techline Terminal, select Service Programming System and follow the Techline Terminal on-screen instructions, using the Legacy Pass-Thru method. Ensure the correct programming selection is chosen based on component being replaced or programmed. For this procedure, go to the V.T.D. Vehicle Theft Deterrent Learn menu and choose the Theft Deterrent Learn for Export Vehicles Only selection.
  5. At this point the scan tool must remain connected for the duration of the 10-minute relearn procedure.
  6. Important: 

       • The scan tool will initially display 12 Minutes. The first 2 minutes allow the scan tool to initialize the appropriate control module. The remaining 10 minutes is the relearn timer.
       • On some vehicles the security indicator may be illuminated for the duration of the 10-minute relearn procedure.

  7. Observe the scan tool, after approximately 10 minutes the scan tool will display "Programming Successful, Turn OFF Ignition". The vehicle is now ready to relearn the password on the next ignition switch transition from OFF to CRANK.
  8. Turn OFF the ignition and wait 2 minutes.
  9. With a master vehicle key, turn the ignition to the RUN position for 15 seconds, then start the vehicle. The ECM/PCM has now relearned the fuel enable password.
  10. With a scan tool, clear any DTCs.