Are you struggling to program a new key fob for your 2001 Subaru Forester, especially if you’re in Australia? You’re not alone. Many online resources point to instructions that simply don’t work for Australian models. After extensive searching and trial-and-error, we’ve finally cracked the code and are sharing the correct methods to program your 2001 Subaru Forester Key Fob.
It turns out, the widely circulated instructions are designed for US models and are not applicable to Australian Subaru Foresters of the SF generation. Subaru themselves haven’t been much help, often citing the vehicle’s age as a barrier to support. This guide is specifically for Australian owners of the SF Subaru Forester who need to program a new key fob, particularly if you don’t have a working remote to begin with.
The key fob you’ll need for this model in Australia is the one pictured in this link under the “For non US” section. While aftermarket fobs from places like AliExpress might work, we haven’t tested them. Even automotive locksmiths often lack the correct information for these older Australian models.
If you’re looking for a replacement key fob, we recommend checking out remote4cars on eBay Australia. They specialize in older remotes, understand these obscure instructions, and offer returns if the fob doesn’t work – a lifesaver!
Here are two methods to program your 2001 Subaru Forester key fob:
Method 1: Connector and Door Lock Switch
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Access the Connector: Locate and remove the lower trim cover panel. This is a plastic piece situated to the right of where your right foot would be when driving. It’s held in place by a single plastic plug and should detach easily. You’ll see a grey plastic pole connector that is likely unplugged. Connect this pole connector. This action initiates the key fob programming circuitry.
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Door Lock Operation: While not definitively confirmed if the door needs to be closed or locked, the most successful attempts involved having the door closed. The original instructions mention using the ‘power switch’ on the door handle to unlock the door. Try locking and then unlocking the driver’s door with the door closed.
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Fob and Lock Switch Synchronization: Press any button on your transmitter key fob twice. Simultaneously, press the driver’s side door lock switch to the ‘unlock’ position. Repeat this sequence a few times for good measure.
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Confirmation: The door locks should automatically cycle – LOCK and UNLOCK – to indicate successful registration of the key fob.
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завершение Setup: Disconnect the white pole connector you connected in step 1. Reinstall the trim cover panel.
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Programming Additional Fobs (Optional): If you have multiple key fobs to program, repeat steps 3 and 4 for each additional fob, up to a maximum of four in total.
Method 2: Simplified Connector Method
If Method 1 doesn’t work, try this slightly simpler approach:
- Connect the Pole Connector: Just as in Method 1, remove the lower trim and connect the registration pole connectors.
- Unlock the Door: Unlock the driver’s side door using the door lock switch.
- Press Fob Buttons: Press any button on the transmitter key fob twice.
- Confirmation: The door locks should cycle (LOCK and UNLOCK) to confirm successful registration.
- Final Steps: Disconnect the pole connector and reassemble the trim.
Context and Key Findings
These instructions are born out of frustration with the lack of accurate information available online, particularly for Australian Subaru Forester owners. The common instructions found online, often linking to cars101.com, are geared towards US models. While cars101.com does have a “non-US” section, it previously only provided instructions for programming a second fob, assuming you already had a working one. This is unhelpful for those who have lost their original fobs.
Even the official Subaru Forester owner’s manual, including the Australian supplement, lacks programming instructions. It only covers battery replacement and basic fob operation. We even reached out to Joe Spitz of cars101.com, a renowned Subaru expert, to highlight the need for updated, accurate programming instructions for non-US models on his site.
Hopefully, these instructions will be a valuable resource for other 2001 Subaru Forester owners in Australia and beyond who are struggling to program their key fobs. Having a working key fob makes a significant difference in daily convenience. We’ll continue to update this guide with any further discoveries about sourcing newer, compatible key fobs. If you have any success or further information, please share it!
