Losing or needing to replace a key fob for your 2009 Cadillac CTS can be a stressful situation. Fortunately, programming a new key fob for your 2009 CTS can often be done yourself at home, potentially saving you a trip to the dealership. This guide will walk you through the process of programming a new key fob to your 2009 Cadillac CTS when you don’t have a recognized, working fob available.
Programming Your 2009 Cadillac CTS Key Fob – Step-by-Step Guide
This procedure will erase all previously programmed key fobs, so ensure you have all the fobs you intend to use ready to program. It’s crucial to follow each step precisely to ensure successful programming.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure you have the following:
- Your 2009 Cadillac CTS: Ensure the vehicle is turned off completely.
- New, Unprogrammed Key Fob: This should be a compatible key fob for your 2009 Cadillac CTS.
- Vehicle Key: You’ll need the physical key that came with your Cadillac CTS to use in the driver’s side door lock cylinder.
Step-by-Step Programming Procedure
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Start with the Vehicle Off: Make absolutely certain that your 2009 Cadillac CTS is completely turned off. The engine should not be running, and the ignition should be in the OFF position.
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Prepare the New Transmitter: Keep the new key fob transmitter with you. For this programming procedure, you will not be placing it in the transmitter pocket initially. Keeping it away from the car at this stage helps to clear any existing key recognitions. The transmitter pocket in a 2009 CTS is located inside the center console storage area between the driver and passenger seats.
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Use the Door Lock Cylinder: Insert your vehicle key into the key lock cylinder located on the driver’s door. This is a crucial step for initiating the programming sequence.
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Turn the Key to Unlock Repeatedly: Turn the key in the driver’s door lock cylinder to the UNLOCK position five times in rapid succession, within a five-second timeframe. This action signals to the vehicle that you are initiating a key programming sequence.
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Observe the DIC Message: After correctly performing step 4, look at your Driver Information Center (DIC) display. It should display the message: “Press Start Control To Learn Keys.” This confirms that your CTS has entered the key learning mode.
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Press the Ignition Switch: Press and release the ignition switch. Do not start the engine, just press the ignition button as if you were going to start the car without pressing the brake pedal.
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Learn Delay Active – Wait Cycle 1: The DIC will now display “Learn Delay Active Wait XX Min” and begin counting down from 10 minutes. This is the first of three ten-minute cycles required for the programming process. You must wait for the full ten minutes to elapse. Do not interrupt this process.
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Second Ignition Press Prompt: After the first 10-minute wait, the DIC will again display “Press Start Control To Learn Keys.”
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Press the Ignition Switch Again: Press and release the ignition switch once more, just as you did in step 6.
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Learn Delay Active – Wait Cycle 2: The DIC will again show “Learn Delay Active Wait XX Min” and count down for another 10-minute cycle. Wait patiently for this second cycle to complete.
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Third Ignition Press Prompt: Once the second delay is over, the DIC will display “Press Start Control To Learn Keys” for the third time.
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Final Wait and Ready to Learn: Press the ignition switch for the third time. The DIC will initiate the final 10-minute delay cycle: “Learn Delay Active Wait XX Min.” After this final countdown reaches zero, you will hear a beep, and the DIC will display “Ready To Learn Electronic Key # X. All previously known transmitter programming has been erased.” The “X” will be the next available key number, likely #1 if you are programming the first key after clearing.
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Programming the First Key: Now, take your new key fob transmitter and place it into the transmitter pocket in the center console, with the buttons facing the front of the vehicle. You should hear a beep sound, and the DIC should display “Ready To Learn Electronic Key # 2” (or the next number if you are programming more than one key). This confirms that the first key fob has been successfully programmed.
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Programming Additional Key Fobs (Optional): If you have additional key fobs to program, insert each transmitter into the pocket one at a time. Each time a key is successfully programmed, you will hear a beep, and the DIC will advance to the next electronic key number (e.g., “Ready To Learn Electronic Key # 3”, “Ready To Learn Electronic Key # 4”). You can program up to four key fobs for your 2009 Cadillac CTS. Once you have programmed all desired fobs or reached the maximum of four, the DIC will display “Maximum # Electronic Keys Learned” and exit the programming mode automatically.
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Complete the Process: Press the ignition control knob (press the ignition switch again) to finalize the programming process.
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Test the New Key Fobs: Finally, remove the programmed key fobs and press the “Unlock” button on each one to ensure they are working correctly and can remotely unlock your 2009 Cadillac CTS.
By following these steps carefully, you should be able to successfully program a new key fob for your 2009 Cadillac CTS. This DIY method can save you time and money compared to dealership programming.
