Lost your key fob or need to program a new one for your 2005 Subaru? Programming your key fob yourself can save you a trip to the dealership and some cash. This guide provides comprehensive instructions on how to program a 2005 Subaru key fob, drawing from owner’s manual procedures and real-world experiences to ensure you get it right.
Understanding Your 2005 Subaru Key Fob System
The keyless entry system in your 2005 Subaru is designed to learn and remember up to four unique key fob codes. This means you can have multiple fobs programmed to your vehicle, which is handy for families or if you simply want a spare. The programming process involves entering a specific sequence of actions that puts your Subaru into programming mode, allowing it to recognize the new key fob’s signal.
Step-by-Step Programming Guide for 2005 Subaru Key Fobs
Before you begin, ensure you have all the necessary components: your 2005 Subaru, the key you typically use to start the car, and the new key fob you wish to program. It’s also helpful to have the key fob’s identification code handy if available, though as we’ll discuss later, it might not always be necessary.
Here’s the procedure, broken down into easy-to-follow steps:
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Preparation is Key: Start by ensuring all doors and the rear gate of your 2005 Subaru are firmly closed. Get into the driver’s seat and close the driver’s door. This ensures no accidental interruptions during the programming sequence.
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Initiate Programming Mode: This step needs to be performed within 45 seconds.
a. Open and close the driver’s door once.
b. Insert your key into the ignition switch.
c. Turn the key from the “LOCK” position to the “ON” position 10 times within 15 seconds. The “ON” position is just before you would crank the engine to start. Quickly turning the key back and forth is crucial here.Alt text: Ignition switch positions shown as Lock and On to illustrate Subaru key fob programming steps.
Listen for Confirmation: After completing step 2), you should hear an electronic tone. This tone confirms that your Subaru has entered programming mode. If you don’t hear the tone and the interior light doesn’t flash, you might have exceeded the 45-second time limit or not performed the key turns correctly. In this case, you’ll need to start the entire procedure again from step 1.
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Door Confirmation: Within 15 seconds of hearing the electronic tone, open and close the driver’s door one more time.
Another Tone: Upon completing step 4, you should hear a longer electronic tone, lasting for about 30 seconds. This is another confirmation that you’re on the right track. If you miss this step within 15 seconds, you won’t hear the tone and will need to restart from step 3.
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Entering the Key Fob Code – Digit 1: This is where the process becomes a bit unique to each key fob if you are following the original manual’s instructions which mentions an 8-digit code. However, in practice, and especially if you don’t have a code, this step is adapted as follows:
a. Using the Power Door Lock Switch: Before the 30-second electronic tone stops, use the power door lock switch on your driver’s side door. Push the “lock” side of the switch. The number of times you push it would correspond to the first digit of your transmitter code according to the manual. However, if you don’t have a code, or if this method isn’t working for you, simply try pushing the lock button once.
Alt text: Close up of a car door power lock switch, essential for Subaru key fob programming process.
Tone Stops, Now What? The electronic tone should stop as soon as you start pressing the lock switch. If you don’t start entering a number (or pressing the lock switch) before the tone ends, you’ll get an error and need to restart from step 3. Also, ensure you press the lock switch at intervals of less than five seconds. Longer pauses can also cause errors.
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Unlock Confirmation – Digit 1: After “entering” the first digit (or simply pressing lock once), push the “unlock” side of the power door lock switch within five seconds. You should hear a short electronic tone to confirm this step. If you take longer than five seconds, you’ll get an error and have to go back to step 4.
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Repeat for Remaining Digits (or Skip if No Code): Steps 5 and 6 are supposed to be repeated for each of the remaining digits of the eight-digit transmitter code, according to the original manual. However, if you are programming a standard replacement fob without a known code, or if the coded method is not working, you should attempt to program the fob by essentially skipping the digit entry process. After step 6, which is pressing the unlock button after the first “digit” (or single lock press), proceed directly to step 8.
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Second Code Entry (or Confirmation Attempt): The manual instructs you to repeat steps 5 and 6 to enter the entire transmitter code a second time. Again, if you are skipping the code entry, you will also skip this repetition of steps 5 and 6.
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Final Confirmation and Test: After you’ve theoretically entered the code twice (or if you’ve skipped the code entry process), your Subaru should provide a final confirmation. You should hear a one-second electronic tone, and the automatic door locks should cycle once (lock and unlock). This indicates successful programming!
Code Mismatch Error (If Applicable): If the code entered the second time doesn’t match the first (again, relevant if you were attempting to enter a code), you’ll get an error and need to restart from step 5. Five such errors will require you to begin again from step 3.
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Programming Additional Fobs: If you have more key fobs to program (up to a total of four), repeat the procedure starting from step 4 before the 30-second electronic tone from step 8 ends.
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Completion and Testing: Once you’ve programmed all desired key fobs, remove the key from the ignition. Now, test each key fob to ensure it correctly locks and unlocks your doors.
Troubleshooting and No-Code Programming
As the original user experienced, sometimes the exact steps in the manual might not perfectly align with what actually works. Specifically, the reliance on an 8-digit code may not be relevant for all aftermarket fobs, or even some genuine Subaru replacements.
What if you don’t have a key fob code? Don’t worry. Many users successfully program their 2005 Subaru key fobs without ever needing a specific code. The adapted procedure outlined above—where you essentially bypass the code entry by pressing the lock button only once and then proceeding—often works.
Common Issues and Tips:
- Timing is Crucial: The 45-second and 15-second time limits are strict. Work quickly and smoothly through the steps.
- Electronic Tones are Your Guide: Listen carefully for the electronic tones. They are the best indicator of whether you are progressing correctly.
- Door Lock Switch Sensitivity: Ensure your power door lock switch is functioning correctly.
- Battery Condition: Make sure the battery in your new key fob is fresh and properly installed.
- Try, Try Again: If you encounter errors, don’t get discouraged. Carefully re-read the steps and try again from the beginning. Sometimes it takes a couple of attempts to get the timing and sequence just right.
If you’ve tried these steps multiple times and are still facing issues, it might be time to consult a professional. A local mechanic or Subaru dealership can provide further assistance and may have specialized tools for key fob programming. However, for many 2005 Subaru owners, this DIY programming guide will be sufficient to get their new key fobs working perfectly.
