It’s a common situation for Dodge Charger owners: you need a new key fob. For your 2009 Dodge Charger, the good news is you might be able to program a new key fob yourself, saving time and money. However, there are crucial conditions. If you’re proactive, replacing and programming a key fob can be a straightforward process. But, lose a key, and the situation changes dramatically, potentially requiring a trip to the dealership.
DIY Key Fob Programming if You Have Two Original Keys
For 2009 Dodge Chargers, the onboard system allows you to program additional key fobs, but this method is contingent on you possessing two working, original key fobs. Think of these original fobs as the keys to your car’s security system’s programming feature. If you meet this requirement, here’s how you can program a new key fob:
-
First Key Insertion: Insert your first valid, already programmed key into the ignition. Turn the ignition to the ON position. Hold it there for a duration between 3 and 15 seconds. Crucially, do not exceed 15 seconds. Then, turn the ignition back to the LOCK position and remove the key.
-
Second Key Insertion: Immediately, within 15 seconds of removing the first key, insert your second valid, original key into the ignition. Turn the ignition to the ON position again. Wait for approximately 10 seconds. You should hear a chime sound, and the Vehicle Security Light on your dashboard will start to flash. Once this happens, turn the ignition to the LOCK position and remove the second key.
-
New Key Programming: Now, insert the new, unprogrammed key fob into the ignition. Turn the ignition to the ON position within 60 seconds of removing the second key. After about 10 seconds, you’ll hear a single chime. The Vehicle Security Light will stop flashing, turn on for about three seconds, and then turn off completely. This sequence indicates that your new key fob has been successfully programmed to your 2009 Dodge Charger.
This process also programs the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter functions at the same time. You can repeat these steps to program up to a total of eight key fobs for your vehicle.
When You Need to Visit a Dealership
The DIY programming method is convenient, but it’s only applicable if you have two original, working key fobs. If you’ve lost one or both of your original keys, or if you don’t have two working fobs for any reason, you will likely need to visit an authorized Dodge dealership for key fob programming.
Dealerships have specialized equipment to program key fobs even when you don’t have existing keys. They can access your vehicle’s security system directly. This service, however, typically comes at a higher cost compared to DIY programming or purchasing a key fob online. Furthermore, if you’ve lost a key, it’s a good security measure to have the dealer erase all previous keys from your car’s system. This prevents a lost key from being used to start your vehicle. In this case, you’ll need to bring all remaining key fobs to the dealership to be reprogrammed together.
In conclusion, for a 2009 Dodge Charger key fob programming, having two original keys provides a simple DIY solution. Always consider purchasing a spare key fob and programming it while you have two working originals to avoid potential dealer-only programming situations in the future.
