Programming Your 2009 Subaru Impreza Key Fob: A Comprehensive Guide

Is your 2009 Subaru Impreza Key Fob no longer working, or did you recently purchase a replacement and need to get it programmed? Don’t worry, programming your key fob for your 2009 Subaru Impreza can often be done right at home without a trip to the dealership. This guide will walk you through the process, ensuring you can regain full keyless entry functionality quickly and efficiently.

Understanding Your 2009 Subaru Impreza Key Fob System

The keyless entry system in your 2009 Subaru Impreza is designed to learn and recognize up to four unique key fob transmitter codes. This means you can have multiple key fobs programmed to operate your vehicle, which is convenient for households with multiple drivers or for keeping a spare remote handy.

Before you begin, it’s helpful to understand a couple of key points about your system:

• Transmitter Codes: Each key fob has a unique identification number, or code, that needs to be registered with your car’s system. This code is usually found on a label that comes with the key fob. If you have the original packaging, check there. Alternatively, you may need to open the key fob to find the eight-digit code on the circuit board inside.

• Programming Limits: As mentioned, the system can store up to four transmitter codes. When you program a new key fob, you are essentially adding its code to your car’s memory. If you need to remove an old or lost key fob from the system for security reasons, you’ll need to follow a specific procedure to delete those codes, which we’ll cover later.

Step-by-Step Programming Instructions for Your 2009 Subaru Impreza Key Fob

Programming your 2009 Subaru Impreza key fob requires a specific sequence of actions that must be performed relatively quickly. Read through these instructions entirely before you start to familiarize yourself with the steps. It’s crucial to follow them precisely for successful programming.

1. Get in the Driver’s Seat: Begin by sitting in the driver’s seat of your 2009 Subaru Impreza. Ensure all doors are closed properly, including the rear gate or trunk lid.

2. Open and Close Driver’s Door (First Time): Open and then close the driver’s side door once.

3. Open and Close Driver’s Door (Second Time): Within 45 seconds of the previous step, open and close the driver’s door again, a second time.

4. Ignition Key Cycling: Immediately after closing the door the second time, insert your ignition key and quickly turn it from the “LOCK” position to the “ON” position ten times within a 15-second period. “ON” is the position just before you would start the engine – where the dashboard lights illuminate.

5. Confirmation Signals: If you’ve performed the steps correctly and within the time limits, you should hear an electronic tone sound once. Following this, a buzzer will start sounding continuously, and the interior lights will begin to flash. These signals indicate that the system has entered programming mode and is ready to learn new key fob codes.

   • Error Condition: If you do not hear the electronic tone and the buzzer does not sound, and the interior light does not flash, it means an error has occurred. In this case, you’ll need to start the entire process over from step 1.

6. Open and Close Driver’s Door (Third Time): Within 45 seconds of hearing the confirmation signals (tone, buzzer, flashing lights), open and close the driver’s door one more time. This must be done within 15 seconds of the confirmation signals starting. You should hear another electronic tone, this time lasting for 30 seconds.

   • Error Condition: If you don’t hear this 30-second electronic tone after opening and closing the door, an error has occurred. You’ll need to repeat the programming steps again, starting from step 3.

7. Entering the Transmitter Code: This is where you’ll input the unique code from your 2009 Subaru Impreza key fob. Before the 30-second electronic tone stops, use the power door lock button on the driver’s side door panel to enter the code digit by digit.

   • Leftmost Digit First: Start with the leftmost digit of your eight-digit transmitter code. Press the “LOCK” button the same number of times as this digit. For example, if the first digit is ‘8’, press the “LOCK” button eight times. If it’s ‘3’, press it three times, and so on.

   • Unlock After Each Digit: After pressing the “LOCK” button for a digit, immediately push the power door lock switch to the “UNLOCK” side within five seconds.

   • Repeat for All Digits: Repeat this process for each of the remaining seven digits of your key fob code, always starting with the next digit and pressing the “LOCK” button the corresponding number of times, followed by pressing “UNLOCK” within five seconds.

8. Code Confirmation and Second Entry: Once you have entered all eight digits of the code the first time, immediately push the power door lock button to “UNLOCK” one time. Then, you must repeat the entire code entry process again, starting from the leftmost digit and entering each digit using the “LOCK” button followed by “UNLOCK” for all eight digits. After you have successfully entered the eighth digit for the second time, you should hear another electronic tone that lasts for 30 seconds.

   • Error Conditions During Code Entry:
     • If the electronic tone stops before you start entering the code, an error has occurred. Restart from step 3.
     • If you take longer than five seconds between pressing the “LOCK” button for one digit and starting to enter the next, an error occurs. Restart from step 4.
     • If you encounter six errors during the code entry process, restart the procedure from step 3.
     • If the code you entered the second time is not exactly the same as the code you entered the first time, an error will occur. Restart from step 5.
     • If you encounter five errors due to mismatched codes, restart from step 3.

9. Programming Additional Key Fobs (Optional): If you want to program additional key fobs (up to a total of four), repeat the procedure starting from step 4 for each additional key fob.

10. завершение Programming: Once you have finished programming all desired key fobs, remove the key from the ignition switch.

11. Test Your Key Fobs: Test each programmed key fob to ensure it correctly locks and unlocks the doors and activates other remote functions.

Deleting Old 2009 Subaru Impreza Key Fob Codes

For security, especially if you have lost a key fob, it’s wise to delete the old transmitter codes from your 2009 Subaru Impreza’s system. The system always stores four codes. To delete old codes, you simply need to program four new codes into the system. This overwrites any previously stored codes.

• If you have only one new key fob: Program it four times using the steps above.
• If you have two new key fobs: Program each of them twice.
• If you have three new key fobs: Program two of them once each, and program the third one twice.

This process ensures that only the codes of your current key fobs remain in the system’s memory, effectively deleting any old or lost key fob codes.

Troubleshooting and Tips for 2009 Subaru Impreza Key Fob Programming

• Timing is Critical: The most common issue during key fob programming is timing. Ensure you are performing each step within the specified timeframes. It can be helpful to have a timer or stopwatch handy to practice the sequences before you begin.

• Code Accuracy: Double-check that you are entering the correct eight-digit code from your key fob. Entering the wrong code, even once, will cause the programming to fail.

• Battery Condition: Ensure the batteries in your key fob are fresh and have sufficient charge. Weak batteries can sometimes interfere with the programming process.

• Avoid Interference: Make sure no one else is operating their keyless entry system within range of your vehicle while you are programming. This could potentially cause their key fob code to be inadvertently programmed into your system.

• Professional Help: If you are having persistent trouble programming your 2009 Subaru Impreza key fob, or if you prefer professional assistance, consider contacting a local locksmith or car key programming service. You can often find a professional key fob installer in your area by searching online with your city or zip code.

By following these detailed instructions and troubleshooting tips, you should be able to successfully program your 2009 Subaru Impreza key fob and enjoy the convenience of keyless entry once again.