Lost your key fob or need to program a new one for your 2001 Pontiac Grand Am? Don’t worry, programming your key fob can be a straightforward process you can do yourself, saving you a trip to the dealership. This guide provides you with two methods to program your 2001 Grand Am key fob, ensuring you regain remote access to your vehicle quickly and easily.
Method 1: No Scan Tool Required – DIY Programming
This method allows you to program your key fob without needing any special tools. It’s a simple sequence of steps that you can perform right in your car. However, it’s crucial to understand that initiating the programming mode will erase all previously programmed key fobs. Therefore, ensure you have all the key fobs you intend to use ready to be programmed during this procedure. You can program up to four key fobs for your 2001 Pontiac Grand Am.
Here’s how to program your key fob without a scan tool:
- Get in your Pontiac Grand Am and close all doors. Ensure all doors, including the trunk, are completely shut.
- Remove the key from the ignition. Take the ignition key completely out of the ignition lock cylinder.
- Press and HOLD the UNLOCK button on the driver’s side door lock switch. Keep the unlock button pressed down throughout the next steps.
- Insert and remove the ignition key TWICE in quick succession. Do not turn the key, simply insert it into the ignition and pull it straight back out, repeating this action twice.
- Insert the ignition key a THIRD time and leave it in the ignition cylinder in the LOCK position. Again, do not turn the key, just insert it fully and leave it there.
- Release the door lock switch. Let go of the UNLOCK button you’ve been holding.
- Listen for the chimes. You should hear three chime sounds. This indicates that your 2001 Pontiac Grand Am has entered the key fob programming mode.
- Program the first key fob. On the key fob you wish to program, press and hold both the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons simultaneously for about 4 seconds.
- Listen for confirmation chimes. After about 4 seconds, you should hear two chimes. This confirms that the key fob has been successfully programmed.
- Repeat for additional key fobs. If you have more key fobs to program, repeat step 8 and 9 for each additional key fob immediately. You can program up to a total of four key fobs.
- Exit programming mode. To exit the programming mode, you can either turn the ignition switch to the RUN position or simply remove the key from the ignition.
Once you have exited the programming mode, test each key fob to ensure it correctly locks and unlocks the doors of your 2001 Pontiac Grand Am.
Method 2: Using a Scan Tool for Key Fob Programming
The second method for programming your 2001 Grand Am key fob involves using a scan tool. This method is typically used by automotive professionals and may be necessary in certain situations or if Method 1 does not work.
Here’s a general outline of how to program your key fob using a scan tool:
- Connect the scan tool. Plug your scan tool into the diagnostic port of your 2001 Pontiac Grand Am.
- Turn the ignition ON. Turn the ignition to the ON position, but do not start the engine.
- Access the BCM menu on the scan tool. Using your scan tool, navigate to the Body Control Module (BCM) menu.
- Select the “Program Key Fobs” function. Within the BCM menu, look for and select the “Program Key Fobs” or a similarly named function.
- Follow the scan tool prompts. The scan tool will provide on-screen instructions to guide you through the key fob programming process. These prompts will likely involve pressing buttons on your key fobs as directed by the tool.
- Verify programming. After following the scan tool prompts, operate the buttons on each programmed key fob to ensure they are working correctly with your 2001 Pontiac Grand Am’s keyless entry system.
Using a scan tool provides a more guided approach to key fob programming. If you are comfortable using automotive diagnostic tools, this method can be a reliable alternative. However, for most 2001 Grand Am owners, Method 1 – the DIY, no-tool-required method – is usually sufficient and more accessible.
By following either of these methods, you can program your 2001 Pontiac Grand Am key fob and regain the convenience of remote keyless entry. Remember to always double-check that all your key fobs are programmed after initiating the process, as the system clears previous programming when entering programming mode.
