How To Program A New Chevy Transponder Key (No Working Keys)

1. Insert your bare-metal or service key (If you don’t have one, you can order one with our cut by VIN service with proof of ownership) unprogrammed key into the car ignition and turn it to the “ON”
position.  Look at your instrument panel (dashboard) the security light should come on. 

(TIP) (If it doesn’t it typically is because of your car battery, you can hook it up to jumper cables, battery charger, or pack.

2. After the security light comes on it will stay on for 10 minutes. Then it will start flashing and you have 60 seconds to turn the key to the “OFF” position, then right back to the “ON” position.

3. Wait 10 minutes, the security light will stop flashing, you have one minute to turn the key to the “OFF” position and then back to “ON” again. The security on the dash should come on for an additional ten minutes and then go off again.  Turn the key again to the “OFF” position before 60 seconds and right back to the “ON” position.  The security symbol will appear again for an additional 10 minutes and then will go off.

After the light goes off for the 3rd time a total of 30 minutes your new Chevy key is programmed and you should be able to start your car with it.

Model Specific Programming Instructions

Spare Key, Duplicate Key Programming For Chevy Transponder Keys

1. insert your programmed working key into your vehicle’s ignition.
2. Turn your Chevy key to the “ON” position and right after to the “OFF” position.
3. Remove the working (programmed) key from the vehicle ignition.
4. You only have 10 seconds to insert the unprogrammed key into the ignition and turn it to the “ON” position.
5. Look at your instrument panel the security light should come on for about 2 seconds if it does this means you have successfully programmed the new Chevy transponder key.

Chevy Key Fob Programming Process (No Working Keys)

Warning Programming A Chevy Key Fob Will Erase All Previous Keys

1. A tip when programming using the lost all keys method all previous keys will be erased they will no longer work even if you find your old key.  However, you can redo the process and add more keys later.
2. Programming Chevrolet keys requires 30 minutes of battery life without the car being started.  (Trick hook the car up to jumper cables or a battery pack/charger.
3. The majority of Chevy models can be programmed through these steps, however, a lot of keys, remotes aka fobs, will look exactly the same but the inside components are unique and are not compatible which means it won’t work, we advise you order the exact key you need specific to your vehicle feel free to call us if you need help ordering the correct key.

We will list several different Chevrolet key programming instructions below each one is for different scenarios such as lost all keys, duplication (adding another key/keys).  Make sure you follow the correct instructions one based on your scenario.

Chevrolet Transponder Key Programming With No Working Keys

Chevy Key Programming (Transponder Type) No Working Keys

First: Insert your Chevy key that’s cut but not-programmed into your Chevrolets ignition and turn it to the “ON” position.  Look at the dashboard instrument panel the security light should come on as you turn the key. If the security light doesn’t come on, it typically means you have a problem with your car battery and you should either hook it up to jumper cables, battery charger, battery pack or replace it.

(TIP) Using the stopwatch feature on a cellphone makes this step easier to track time.

The second step,  when the security light does turn on it will stay on for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, the security light will stop flashing, in less than 1 minute, turn the key to the “OFF” position and then right back to “ON” again.

Third Step, The security light on the dash should come back on for an additional 10 minutes and then off again. Within one minute, turn the key to the “OFF” position and then right back to “ON” again. The security light on the dash should come back on for the third time another 10 minutes and then go off once again.

When the security light turns off after the 3rd time which is a total of 30 minutes your new Chevrolet key should be programmed and able to start the car.

(TIP) In the next section, we will discuss car key duplication so you can make a spare in case you lose your newly programmed Chevy transponder key.

Chevy Key Duplication Process (Transponder Keys Not Remotes)

Programming a duplicate Chevy key, when you already have one or more working Chevrolet keys it’s even easier to perform car key duplication vs programming with no working key.  It also only takes a couple of minutes vs 30 minutes.

What You Should Have Before You begin:
1. A working transponder key that can start your Chevy.
2. A cut but non-programmed transponder key that you want to program make sure it is the exact transponder type for your specific make and model if you had us help you place your order it will be correct.

1. insert your working transponder key into your vehicle’s ignition.
2. Turn the key to the “ON” position and immediately to the “OFF” position.
(TIP) You will have 10 seconds to do the next step, once the key is removed.

3. Remove the working key from your vehicle’s ignition. Insert the non-programmed transponder key you want to duplicate into your car ignition and turn it to the “ON” position.
4. Look at the instrument panel the security light should come on for around 2 seconds which indicates your key has successfully been duplicated.  You can now test it by starting your car with the new key.

About Chevy Key Fob Programming

Chevy Key Fob Programming Instructions: (New Remote, No Working Fobs)

(TIP) Make sure all doors, trunk, and hood are closed before proceeding, the key fob programming will not work if any of these are open.

1. Remove your service key from the remote (Usually there is a button or switch to remove it).  Stand outside your Chevy facing the driver’s side door.  Insert the key into the driver’s side door lock.

(TIP) The next process has to be completed within 10 seconds.

2. Turn the service key 6 times to your left (counter-clockwise). If you did it within 10 seconds, a message on the instrument panel will display “remote learning mode” or ” remote learning in progress” (depending on which Chevrolet model you own). This will display for about 20 or 30 seconds.

When the programming mode is on, you will see a notification: “Press the push to start button” or something similar (what you use to start the car). Push it once. It then should display “remote learning mode is in progress” which will take about 10 minutes after it stops displaying move on to the next step.

3. Once again Stand outside your vehicle facing the driver’s side door (with doors closed).  Insert the key into the driver’s side door lock.

4. (For the second time) Turn the service key 6 times to your left (counter-clockwise). If you did it within 10 seconds, a message on the instrument panel will display “remote learning mode” or ” remote learning in progress” (depending on which Chevy model you own). This will display for about 20 or 30 seconds.  you will see a notification: “Press the push to start button” or something similar (what you use to start the car). Push it once. It then should display “remote learning mode is in progress” which will take about 10 minutes after it stops displaying move on to the next step.

5. (For the third time) Turn the service key 6 times to your left (counter-clockwise). If you did it within 10 seconds, a message on the instrument panel will display “remote learning mode” or ” remote learning in progress”. This will display for about 20 or 30 seconds.  you will see a notification: “Press the push to start button” or something similar (what you use to start the car). Push it once. It then should display “remote learning mode is in progress” which will take about 10 minutes after it stops displaying move on to the next step.

6.If you did everything right three times, you will see: “ready for remote one”. Place the first remote you
are programming in the cup holder or the armrest. (It depends on your make and model. If you are
not sure, you can check your vehicle manual or call the dealership.)

7.After the remote is in the right place, press the push to start button. The first remote should be programmed and ready to go. Then you will see  ”ready for remote number 2″. (If you have another remote) Place the second remote in the same spot and press again, push to start. If done correctly, you will see ”ready for remote number 3″.

Finish Your Chevy Key Fob Programming

After you have finished programming all your key fobs or remotes press and hold the “push to start” button for additional 20-30 seconds. Once your display goes blank, test your remotes.

How To Duplicate Chevy Key Fobs Or Remotes? The Right Way

We discussed earlier, how to program a new Chevy remote key to your vehicle if you have a non-programmed remote fob. Now we will discuss how to duplicate your Key fob or in other words make a spare programmed key.

Instructions For Adding An Additional Remote Key Fob

(TIP) Make sure all doors, trunk, and hood are closed before proceeding, the key fob programming will not work if any of these are open.

1. Remove your service key from the remote (Usually there is a button or switch to remove it).  Stand outside your car facing the driver’s side door.  Insert the key into the driver’s side door lock.

(TIP) The next process has to be completed within 10 seconds.

2. Turn the service key 6 times to your left (counter-clockwise). If you did it within 10 seconds, a message on the instrument panel will display “remote learning mode” or ” remote learning in progress” (depending on which Chevy model you own). This will display for about 20 or 30 seconds.

3.Place the first remote you are programming in the cup holder or in the armrest. (It depends on your make and model. If you are not sure, you can try both, ask the dealership, or check your user manual.

4.Once you have placed the remote in the right place, press the push to start button (The button you start the car with). The remote is now programmed. The instrument panel should display that the car is ” ready for remote number whatever is next. Place the second remote you are programming in the cup holder or in the armrest.

To Finalize Your Chevy Key Fob Programming

When you have finished programming all your new Chevy key fobs, press and hold the “push to start” button for 15 seconds and then let go. All is done and then you just then to test your new keys.