GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

The vehicle's doors can be locked and unlocked, and the trunk can be opened from about 3 feet (1 m) up to 197 feet (60 m) away with the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter. If your vehicle has the remote vehicle start feature, you can also start the vehicle's engine with the RKE transmitter.

Remote Keyless Entry with Remote Start


Object Number: 1500704  Size: A3

Remote Keyless Entry without Remote Start


Object Number: 1453798  Size: A3

The following functions may be available if your vehicle has the remote keyless entry system.

(Remote Vehicle Start): If your vehicle has this feature, the engine may be started from outside the vehicle using the RKE transmitter. See "Remote Vehicle Start" later in this section for more detailed information.

[block ] (Lock):  Press the lock button to lock all the doors. The interior lamps turn off after all of the doors are closed. If enabled through the Driver Information Center (DIC), the remote lock feedback can be programmed to have the horn chirp and/or the turn signals flash when the RKE transmitter is used to lock the vehicle's doors. See "LOCK HORN" and "LIGHT FLASH" under DIC Vehicle Personalization for more information. Pressing the lock button may also arm the content theft-deterrent system. See Content Theft-Deterrent .

(Unlock): Press the unlock button to unlock the driver's door. If the button is pressed again within five seconds, all remaining doors unlock. The interior lamps turn on and stay on for 20 seconds or until the ignition is turned on. If enabled through the DIC, the remote unlock feedback can be programmed to have the horn chirp and/or the turn signals flash when the RKE transmitter is used to unlock the vehicle's doors. See "UNLOCK HORN" and "LIGHT FLASH" under DIC Vehicle Personalization for more information. If enabled through the DIC, and it is dark enough outside, the vehicle's high-beam headlamps, parking lamps, and back-up lamps turn on each time the unlock button on the transmitter is pressed. These exterior lamps stay on for 20 seconds, or until a door is opened. See "EXT (Exterior) LIGHTS" under DIC Vehicle Personalization for additional information. Pressing the unlock button on the RKE transmitter disarms the content theft-deterrent system. See Content Theft-Deterrent .

(Remote Trunk Release): Press and hold this button for about one second to open the trunk. The trunk can be opened with the transmitter when the vehicle speed is less than 2 mph (3 km/h) or when the ignition is off.

(Vehicle Locator/Panic Alarm): Press and release this button to locate your vehicle. The horn sounds three times and the headlamps and turn signals flash three times. Press and hold the button for about three seconds to initiate the panic alarm. The horn sounds and the headlamps and turn signals flash for 30 seconds. Press the button again to cancel the panic alarm.

Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle

Each RKE transmitter is coded to prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle. If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can be purchased through your retailer. Remember to bring any remaining transmitters with you when you go to your retailer. Each vehicle can have a maximum of four transmitters matched to it.

Battery Replacement

Under normal use, the battery in your RKE transmitter should last about four years.

The battery is weak if the transmitter will not work at the normal range in any location. If you have to get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works, it is probably time to change the battery.

If the battery is low, a KEY FOB BATT (Battery) LOW message will display in the vehicle's DIC.

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: 1528359  Size: B3

To replace the battery in the RKE transmitter do the following:

  1. Insert a flat object, with a thin edge, into the notch located below the vehicle locator/panic alarm button, and separate the bottom half from the top half of the transmitter.
  2. Remove the battery and replace it with the new one. Make sure the positive (+) side of the battery faces up. Use one three-volt, CR2032, or equivalent, type battery.
  3. Put the two halves back together. Make sure the cover is on tight, so water does not get inside the transmitter.
  4. Test the operation of the transmitter with the vehicle.

Remote Vehicle Start

Your vehicle may have a remote starting feature that allows you to start the engine from outside the vehicle. It may also start the vehicle's heating or air conditioning systems and rear window defogger. When the remote start system is active and the vehicle has an automatic climate control system, it will automatically regulate the inside temperature. Normal operation of the system will return after the ignition key is turned to ON.

Laws in some communities may restrict the use of remote starters. For example, some laws may require a person using remote start to have the vehicle in view when doing so. Check local regulations for any requirements on remote starting of vehicles.

Do not use the remote start feature if your vehicle is low on fuel. Your vehicle may run out of fuel.

You can start your vehicle's engine from about 197 feet (60 m) away. However, the range may be less while the vehicle is running, and as a result you may need to be closer to your vehicle to turn it off than you were to turn it on.

There are other conditions which can affect the performance of the transmitter, see Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System for additional information.

(Remote Start): If your vehicle has the remote start feature, the RKE transmitter will have a button with this symbol on it.

To start the vehicle using the remote start feature, do the following:

  1. Aim the transmitter at the vehicle.
  2. Press and release the transmitter's lock button, then immediately press and hold the transmitter's remote start button until the vehicle's turn signal lamps flash.
  3. When the vehicle starts, the parking lamps turn on and remain on while the engine is running.

    If it is the first remote start since the vehicle has been driven, repeat these steps, while the engine is still running, to extend the engine running time by 10 minutes. Remote start can be extended one time.

After entering the vehicle during a remote start, insert and turn the key to ON to drive the vehicle.

The engine will shut off automatically after 10 minutes, unless a time extension has been done or the vehicle's key is inserted into the ignition switch and turned to ON.

To manually shut off a remote start, do any of the following. The parking lamps turn off to indicate the engine is off.

    • Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle and press and release the remote start button.
    • Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
    • Turn the ignition switch ON and then OFF.

The remote start feature provides two separate starts per ignition cycle, each with 10 minutes of engine running time.

If the remote start procedure is used again before the first 10 minute time frame has ended, the first 10 minutes will immediately expire and the second 10 minute time frame will start.

After your vehicle's engine has been started two times using the remote vehicle start button, the vehicle's ignition must be turned to ON using the key before the remote start procedure can be used again. See Ignition Positions for information regarding the ignition positions on your vehicle.

The remote vehicle start feature will not operate if any of the follow occur:

    • The remote start system is disabled through the DIC.
    • The vehicle's key is in the ignition.
    • The vehicle's hood is open.
    • The hazard warning flashers are on.
    • The check engine light is on. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp .
    • The engine coolant temperature is too high.
    • The oil pressure is low.
    • Two remote vehicle starts have already been provided for that ignition cycle.

Vehicles that have the remote vehicle start feature are shipped from the factory with the remote start system enabled. The system may be enabled or disabled through the DIC. See "REMOTE START" under DIC Vehicle Personalization for additional information.

The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter functions will work up to 195 feet (60 m) away.

There are other conditions which can affect the performance of the transmitter. See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System .


Object Number: 1453798  Size: A3
[block ] (Lock):  Press to lock all the doors. The interior lamps will turn off after all of the doors are closed. If enabled through the Driver Information Center (DIC), the remote lock feedback can be programmed to have the horn chirp and/or the turn signals flash when the RKE transmitter is used to lock the vehicle's doors. See "LOCK HORN" and "LIGHT FLASH" under DIC Vehicle Personalization for more information. Pressing [block ] may also arm the content theft-deterrent system. See Content Theft-Deterrent .

(Unlock): Press to unlock the driver's door. If is pressed again within five seconds, all remaining doors unlock. The interior lamps turn on and stay on for 20 seconds or until the ignition is turned on. If enabled through the DIC, the remote unlock feedback can be programmed to have the horn chirp and/or the turn signals flash when the RKE transmitter is used to unlock the vehicle's doors. See "UNLOCK HORN" and "LIGHT FLASH" under DIC Vehicle Personalization for more information. If enabled through the DIC, and it is dark enough outside, the vehicle's high-beam headlamps, parking lamps, and back-up lamps will turn on each time on the transmitter is pressed. These exterior lamps will stay on for 20 seconds, or until a door is opened. See "EXT (Exterior) LIGHTS" under DIC Vehicle Personalization for additional information. Pressing on the RKE transmitter will disarm the content theft-deterrent system. See Content Theft-Deterrent .

(Remote Trunk Release): Press and hold for about one second to open the trunk. The trunk can be opened with the transmitter when the vehicle speed is less than 2 mph (3 km/h) or when the ignition is off.

(Vehicle Locator/Panic Alarm): Press and release to locate your vehicle. The horn sounds three times and the headlamps and turn signals flash three times. Press and hold for about three seconds to initiate the panic alarm. The horn sounds and the headlamps and turn signals flash for 30 seconds. Press again to cancel the panic alarm.

Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle

Each RKE transmitter is coded to prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle. If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can be purchased through your retailer. All transmitters need to be re-coded to match the new transmitter. The lost transmitter will no longer work after the new transmitters are re-coded. Each vehicle can have a maximum of four transmitters matched to it.

Battery Replacement

Replace the battery if the KEY FOB BATT (Battery) LOW message displays in the DIC. See "KEY FOB BATT (Battery) LOW" under DIC Warnings and Messages for additional information.

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: 1528359  Size: B3

To replace the battery in the RKE transmitter:

  1. Separate the halves of the transmitter with a flat, thin object inserted into the notch on the side.
  2. Remove the old battery. Do not use a metal object.
  3. Insert the new battery, positive side facing up. Replace with a CR2032 or equivalent battery.
  4. Put the transmitter back together tightly.