Lost your key fob or need to program a new one for your 2005 Subaru Forester? You’re not alone. Programming your key fob can seem daunting, but with the right instructions, it’s a task you can handle yourself. This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough to program your 2005 Subaru Forester key fob, ensuring you regain full control of your vehicle’s keyless entry system.
Understanding Your 2005 Subaru Forester Key Fob System
The 2005 Subaru Forester keyless entry system is designed to be user-friendly, allowing you to program up to four key fobs. Whether you have factory remotes or aftermarket replacements, understanding the programming process is key. Typically, key fobs for this model year operate on a specific frequency and require a unique code to be recognized by your vehicle’s computer. This code, sometimes found on a tag accompanying the fob or inside the remote itself, is crucial for the programming procedure.
Step-by-Step Programming Guide for Your 2005 Subaru Forester Key Fob
Follow these detailed instructions to program your 2005 Subaru Forester key fob. It’s important to perform these steps accurately and within the specified timeframes for successful programming.
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Preparation is Key: Begin by ensuring all doors and the rear gate of your 2005 Subaru Forester are fully closed.
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Driver’s Seat Setup: Open the driver’s side door, sit in the driver’s seat, and then close the driver’s door. This isolates the system to focus on programming.
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Initiate Programming Sequence (Within 45 seconds):
a. Open and close the driver’s door once.
b. Insert your key into the ignition switch.
c. Turn the ignition key from the “LOCK” position to the “ON” position 10 times within 15 seconds. Make sure to turn it fully to the “ON” position each time, but do not start the engine.Note: Upon successful completion of step 3b, you should hear an electronic tone. This tone indicates that your Subaru Forester has entered programming mode. If you don’t hear the tone and the interior light doesn’t flash, you’ll need to repeat the entire procedure from step 1, ensuring you are within the 45-second time limit for steps 3a and 3b.
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Door Confirmation (Within 15 seconds): Open and close the driver’s door once again within 15 seconds of hearing the electronic tone.
Note: A longer electronic tone, lasting approximately 30 seconds, should sound to confirm this step. If you miss the 15-second window, the tone will not sound, and you’ll need to restart from step 3.
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Enter the First Digit of Your Transmitter Code: Locate the eight-digit code associated with your key fob. This code may be on a sticker that came with the fob or inside the remote itself. Using the power door lock switch on your driver’s side door, push the “lock” side the same number of times as the first digit (leftmost) of your transmitter code. For example, if the first digit is ‘8’, push the lock switch 8 times.
Note: The 30-second electronic tone will stop as soon as you begin entering the code using the lock switch. It’s crucial to start entering the code before the tone ends. Also, maintain a consistent pace; intervals between pushes should not exceed five seconds. Errors at this stage will require restarting from step 3, and multiple errors might necessitate starting from step 3 as well.
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Confirm Digit Entry: After entering the first digit by pushing the “lock” side, push the “unlock” side of the power door lock switch once within five seconds.
Note: A short electronic tone will confirm successful digit entry. Exceeding the five-second limit will result in an error, requiring you to repeat from step 4, or potentially step 3 after multiple errors.
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Repeat for Remaining Digits: Repeat steps 5 and 6 for each of the remaining seven digits of your transmitter code, moving from left to right.
Note: After entering the eighth digit and confirming with the “unlock” switch, a 30-second electronic tone will sound again. As before, maintain the five-second interval limit between switch pushes to avoid errors.
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Re-enter the Entire Transmitter Code: Before the 30-second electronic tone stops, you must re-enter the entire eight-digit transmitter code again, starting from the first digit, using the power door lock switch as described in step 5.
Note: It’s critical to begin re-entering the code before the tone ceases. Failure to do so will require restarting from step 3.
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Verification and Completion: After you finish entering the code for the second time, if both code entries match, you will hear a shorter electronic tone (one second), and the automatic door locks will cycle (lock and unlock once). This indicates successful key fob programming for your 2005 Subaru Forester.
Note: If the codes do not match, you will encounter an error, indicated by a different beep pattern, and you will need to repeat the procedure from step 5, or potentially step 3 after multiple errors.
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Programming Additional Key Fobs (Optional): If you need to program additional key fobs (up to a maximum of four), repeat the procedure starting from step 4 for each additional fob, using its unique eight-digit code.
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Final Test: Once you have programmed all desired key fobs, remove the key from the ignition and test each fob to ensure it correctly locks and unlocks your 2005 Subaru Forester.
Troubleshooting Common Programming Issues
Encountering problems while programming your 2005 Subaru Forester key fob is not uncommon. Here are a few common issues and potential solutions:
- No Electronic Tone at Step 3: If you don’t hear the initial electronic tone after turning the key 10 times, ensure you are completing steps 3a and 3b within the 45-second timeframe. Double-check that the driver’s door is fully closed and that you are turning the ignition key fully to the “ON” position each time.
- Beeping Error After Second Code Entry: A continuous beeping sound after the second code entry usually indicates that the two entered codes did not match. Carefully repeat steps 8 and 9, ensuring accuracy when re-entering the code.
- Programming eBay/Aftermarket Remotes Without Codes: As noted in the original query, some aftermarket key fobs purchased online may not come with a physical eight-digit code. In these situations, programming becomes significantly more challenging. These remotes may require specialized diagnostic tools or programming by a professional locksmith or Subaru dealership. It’s always recommended to verify the presence of a code or the compatibility of the aftermarket fob with DIY programming procedures before purchase. If no code is available, you may need to consult with a professional who has the equipment to directly program the remote to your vehicle’s system.
Deleting Old Key Fob Codes for Security
For security purposes, especially if you have lost a key fob, it’s wise to delete old transmitter codes from your 2005 Subaru Forester’s system. The system has four memory slots for key fob codes. To clear the memory, you need to program four key fobs into the system. If you have fewer than four fobs, simply reprogram your existing fobs multiple times until all four memory slots are filled. For example, if you have two working fobs, program each one twice. This process overwrites any previously stored codes, effectively deleting lost or unwanted fobs from accessing your vehicle.
By following these detailed steps, you should be able to successfully program your 2005 Subaru Forester key fob. Remember to be patient, pay close attention to the timing, and double-check your transmitter code for accurate entry. If you encounter persistent issues, consulting a professional locksmith or your local Subaru dealer can provide further assistance. For more automotive programming guides and solutions, visit keyfobprog.com.
