Programming your key fob for a 1998 Subaru Legacy can seem daunting, but it’s actually a straightforward process you can accomplish right at home. This guide will walk you through each step, ensuring you can regain control over your vehicle’s keyless entry system quickly and efficiently. Whether you’ve lost a key fob, added a new one, or are simply experiencing issues, understanding how to program your remote is invaluable.
Before you begin, it’s important to understand that the 1998 Subaru Legacy keyless entry system has a code learning feature. This allows you to program new transmitter codes and delete old ones directly. The system can store up to four unique transmitter codes, offering flexibility for multiple drivers or replacement fobs. Each transmitter has a unique eight-digit code which is essential for the programming process. You can typically find this code on a label that came with your key fob, or inside the remote itself on the circuit board. Make sure to have this code ready before starting the programming sequence.
Step-by-Step Guide to Program Your 1998 Subaru Legacy Key Fob
Follow these instructions carefully and ensure you complete each step within the specified timeframes for successful programming. It’s recommended to read through all the steps once before starting to familiarize yourself with the process.
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Get Comfortable in the Driver’s Seat: Begin by sitting in the driver’s seat of your 1998 Subaru Legacy. Ensure all doors are closed, including the rear gate or trunk lid. This is crucial for the system to properly recognize the programming sequence.
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Initiate the Programming Sequence: This step involves a specific sequence of door操作 and ignition key turns. Within 45 seconds of starting this process:
- Open and close the driver’s door one time.
- Open and close the driver’s door a second time.
- Insert your ignition key and turn it from the LOCK position to the ON position 10 times within 15 seconds. It’s important to turn the key to the ‘ON’ position, but do not start the engine.
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Confirmation Tone and System Ready: If the sequence is performed correctly within the time limits, you will hear an electronic tone. This tone, along with a continuous buzzer sound and flashing interior light, indicates that the system has entered programming mode and is ready to register new transmitter codes. If you don’t hear the tone or see the light flashing, you’ll need to start the process again from step 1.
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Entering the Transmitter Code – First Digit: Within 45 seconds of hearing the confirmation tone:
- Open and close the driver’s door once within 15 seconds. You should hear another electronic tone, this time lasting for 30 seconds. This is your window to input the transmitter code.
- Before this 30-second tone stops, use the power door lock button to enter the first digit of your eight-digit transmitter code. For example, if the first digit is ‘5’, press the LOCK button five times.
- After inputting the digit by pressing the LOCK button, immediately press the UNLOCK button once within five seconds to confirm the digit and move to the next.
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Entering the Remaining Digits: Repeat step 4 for the remaining seven digits of your transmitter code. Remember, after entering each digit using the LOCK button presses, you must press the UNLOCK button once within five seconds to proceed to the next digit.
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Repeat the Entire Code Entry: Once you’ve entered all eight digits of the code once, you need to repeat the entire eight-digit code entry process again, starting from the first digit. This ensures the code is correctly registered. After entering the eighth digit for the second time, you should hear an electronic tone lasting for 30 seconds, confirming successful code registration.
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Final Confirmation and Testing: After the second 30-second tone, press the LOCK button one more time, then press the UNLOCK button one time within 5 seconds to finalize the programming. Remove the key from the ignition. Now, test your newly programmed key fob to ensure it locks and unlocks your 1998 Subaru Legacy correctly.
Troubleshooting and Tips for Successful Programming
- Timing is Key: The most common issue during programming is timing. Ensure you are performing each step within the specified time limits (45 seconds, 15 seconds, 5 seconds). If you exceed these times, the system may time out, and you’ll need to start over.
- Error Signals: If you make a mistake or exceed the time limits, you might not hear the confirmation tones, or the interior light might not flash. In such cases, carefully restart the procedure from step 1.
- Code Accuracy: Double-check your eight-digit transmitter code before starting. Entering an incorrect code, even once, will lead to programming failure. If you enter the code incorrectly the first time, you’ll need to repeat the entire process from step 3. If the code entered the second time does not match the first, an error will also occur, requiring you to restart from step 5.
- Multiple Attempts: Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get it right on the first try. Programming can sometimes require a few attempts to get the timing and sequence correct. If you encounter errors multiple times, carefully review each step and try again. If errors occur six times, it’s recommended to start the entire procedure from step 3 again.
- Deleting Old Codes: For security, it’s good practice to delete old or lost key fob codes. This can be done by programming four new transmitter codes. If you only have one or two new fobs, program each of them multiple times until you have programmed a total of four codes. This overwrites any previously stored codes, ensuring only your current key fobs are active.
When to Seek Professional Assistance
While programming a 1998 Subaru Legacy key fob is designed to be user-friendly, there are situations where professional help might be necessary. If you are consistently encountering errors, are unsure about any step, or prefer not to handle the programming yourself, consider contacting a professional. Subaru dealerships or certified automotive locksmiths have specialized tools and expertise to program key fobs efficiently and accurately. They can also diagnose any underlying issues with your vehicle’s keyless entry system if programming problems persist.
By following this comprehensive guide, you should be able to successfully program your 1998 Subaru Legacy key fob. Enjoy the convenience of keyless entry once again! For more key fobs and programming guides, visit Keylessentryremotefob.com.
