Lost your spare key fob or need to program a new one for your 1999 Buick LeSabre? Don’t worry, programming a key fob for your Buick LeSabre can often be done right at home without a trip to the dealership. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step process to program your 1999 Buick Lesabre Key Fob, ensuring you regain convenient access to your vehicle.
Understanding Your 1999 Buick LeSabre Key Fob System
Key fobs provide a convenient way to lock, unlock, and sometimes even start your vehicle remotely. For the 1999 Buick LeSabre, the key fob system is designed to be user-programmable, meaning you can add or replace key fobs yourself using a specific procedure. This saves time and money compared to dealership programming services. Before you begin, ensure you have a compatible key fob with a working battery. Incorrect fobs or low battery voltage are common culprits for programming failures.
Step-by-Step Guide to Programming Your 1999 Buick LeSabre Key Fob
Follow these detailed steps to program your 1999 Buick LeSabre key fob:
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Prepare Your Vehicle: Begin by inserting your key into the ignition. Make sure the ignition is in the OFF position. Do not turn the car on.
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Locate the OBDII Port: The OBDII (On-Board Diagnostics II) port is located under the driver’s side dashboard. You’ll need to access this port for the programming procedure. It’s typically wider at the top and has two rows of pins.
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Identify Terminals 4 and 8: Carefully locate terminals 4 and 8 within the OBDII port. Refer to the diagram below for pin identification. Ensure that both terminals have metal contact pins.
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Connect Terminals 4 and 8: Using a suitable jumper wire, connect terminal 4 and terminal 8 of the OBDII port. Keep the jumper wire connected throughout the entire programming process. Important: Ensure you correctly identify terminals 4 and 8 to avoid any issues. When the connection is made, the vehicle should respond by locking and then unlocking the doors. This indicates that you have successfully entered the key fob programming mode.
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Close All Doors: Make sure all doors of your 1999 Buick LeSabre are fully closed.
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Turn Ignition to the ON Position: Turn the ignition key to the ON position. This is the position just before starting the engine. The doors should lock automatically at this step.
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Program the First Key Fob: Take the first key fob you wish to program. Press and hold both the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons simultaneously for up to 30 seconds. The vehicle should respond by locking and then unlocking the doors again. This confirms that the first key fob has been successfully programmed. Release the buttons after this confirmation.
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Program Additional Key Fobs (Optional): If you have additional key fobs to program, including existing remotes, you must repeat step 7 within one minute of programming the first key fob. It’s crucial to stay within this one-minute window to successfully program multiple fobs.
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Remove Jumper Wire: Once you have programmed all desired key fobs, remove the jumper wire from the OBDII port.
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Test the Key Fobs: Thoroughly test each programmed key fob to ensure it correctly locks and unlocks the doors of your 1999 Buick LeSabre.
Troubleshooting Common 1999 Buick LeSabre Key Fob Programming Issues
If you encounter problems while programming your 1999 Buick LeSabre key fob, consider these troubleshooting steps:
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Incorrect OBDII Port Terminals: Double-check that you are connecting terminals 4 and 8 correctly. Using the wrong terminals will prevent the system from entering programming mode. Refer to the diagram provided and ensure accurate pin identification.
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Key Fob Compatibility: Verify that the key fobs you are trying to program are compatible with your 1999 Buick LeSabre. Look for the FCC ID on the back of your original working key fob and ensure the new fobs have the same FCC ID. Incompatible fobs will not program correctly.
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Low Battery Voltage in Key Fob: Ensure that the batteries in your key fobs are fresh and have sufficient voltage (at least 2.75 volts as mentioned in the forum). Low battery voltage can prevent the key fob from transmitting the programming signal effectively. Try replacing the batteries with new ones.
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Timing Issues: The programming procedure involves specific timing. Make sure to press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons for up to 30 seconds in step 7, and remember to program any additional fobs within one minute of the first one. Timing missteps can lead to programming failure.
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RFA Module Issues: The Remote Function Actuator (RFA) module controls the keyless entry system. If the RFA module is malfunctioning or “stuck,” it may prevent new key fobs from being programmed. As suggested in the forum, disconnecting the car battery overnight can sometimes “reboot” the RFA module and resolve this issue. Disconnect the negative battery terminal, leave it disconnected overnight, and then reconnect it before attempting the programming procedure again.
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Door Lock Problems: Ensure your power door locks are functioning correctly. If the door locks themselves are not working, this could interfere with the programming confirmation signals (door lock/unlock cycling).
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FCC ID Mismatch: As mentioned in the forum, ensure the FCC ID on the replacement key fobs matches your original key fob. Different regions or models might use different key fob frequencies. Using an incorrect FCC ID will prevent successful programming.
Important Considerations
- Original Working Key Fob: It’s always a good idea to have at least one original working key fob before attempting to program new ones. This helps confirm the programming procedure and compatibility.
- Professional Help: If you have tried all troubleshooting steps and are still unable to program your 1999 Buick LeSabre key fob, it may be necessary to seek professional help from a qualified mechanic or locksmith. They will have advanced diagnostic tools to identify and resolve any underlying issues with the keyless entry system.
- Security: Be cautious when purchasing replacement key fobs from online sources. Ensure they are from a reputable supplier to avoid security risks or incompatible devices.
By following these steps and troubleshooting tips, you should be able to successfully program your 1999 Buick LeSabre key fob and enjoy the convenience of remote access to your vehicle. This DIY approach can save you time and money, getting you back on the road with a fully functional keyless entry system.
