Losing or needing to replace your key fob for your 2012 Cadillac CTS can be an inconvenient experience. Fortunately, programming a new or used OEM key fob for your vehicle can often be done yourself, saving you time and money compared to dealership programming. This guide provides step-by-step instructions to program a 2012 Cts Key Fob, ensuring you regain full access and control of your vehicle’s keyless entry system. Whether you have a working fob or are starting from scratch, we’ve got you covered with these straightforward methods.
Programming Your 2012 CTS Key Fob: Two Methods
There are two primary procedures for programming your 2012 Cadillac CTS key fob, depending on whether you currently have a working key fob. Before you begin, it’s important to note that these procedures are designed for adding up to four key fobs to your vehicle. If you have already programmed the maximum of four, you will need to have one or more existing fobs cleared by a professional before adding a new one. Also, ensure the key fob you are programming is compatible with your 2012 Cadillac CTS, such as the M3N5WY7777A or 25943676 model.
Method 1: Programming with a Working Fob
This method is applicable if you already possess at least one functioning key fob for your 2012 Cadillac CTS and wish to program an additional one.
- Turn Off Your Vehicle: Ensure your Cadillac CTS is completely turned off.
- Prepare Existing Fob(s): Place your currently working key fob(s) in the vehicle’s cup holder.
- Prepare New Fob: Have the new 2012 CTS key fob ready and with you.
- Use the Door Lock Cylinder: Locate the key lock cylinder on the exterior of the driver’s side door. Insert your vehicle key into this cylinder.
- Turn Key to Unlock Five Times: Quickly turn the key to the “unlock” position five times within a five-second timeframe.
- Observe the Driver Information Center (DIC): After successfully completing step 5, the Driver Information Center (DIC) display in your instrument cluster should show “Ready to Learn Electronic Key #2, 3, or 4”. This indicates the system is in programming mode and ready to learn a new key fob.
- Place New Fob in Transmitter Pocket: The transmitter pocket is located inside the center console, between the driver and front passenger seats. Place the new 2012 CTS key fob into this pocket, ensuring the buttons are facing the front of the vehicle.
- Wait for Confirmation: Once the system recognizes the new key fob, a beep sound will be emitted. The DIC display will then update to “Ready to Learn Electronic Key #3 or 4”, or it may display “Maximum # Electronic Keys Learned” if you have reached the fob limit.
- Exit Programming Mode: Press the ignition control knob (start/stop button) to exit the key fob programming mode.
- Remove and Test: Take the newly programmed 2012 CTS key fob out of the transmitter pocket. Press the “unlock” button on the new fob twice to confirm it is working correctly and communicating with your Cadillac CTS.
- Program Additional Fobs (Optional): If you have more key fobs to program, repeat steps 6 through 10 for each additional fob.
Method 2: Programming Without a Working Fob
This procedure is necessary when you do not have any currently programmed and working key fobs for your 2012 Cadillac CTS. This method involves a learn delay and will take longer to complete.
- Vehicle Off and New Fob Ready: Ensure your 2012 Cadillac CTS is off. Have your new key fob ready and accessible.
- Place New Fob in Transmitter Pocket: Place the new key fob into the transmitter pocket in the center console, with the buttons facing the front of the vehicle.
- Use the Door Lock Cylinder: Insert your vehicle key into the key lock cylinder on the outside of the driver’s door.
- Turn Key to Unlock Five Times: Turn the key to the “unlock” position five times in rapid succession, within five seconds.
- DIC Displays “Ready to Learn Keys”: The Driver Information Center (DIC) should display “Ready to Learn Keys,” indicating the system is initiating the no-fob programming sequence.
- Press Ignition Switch: Press the ignition switch (start/stop button).
- Learn Delay Active (First Cycle): The DIC will now display “Learn Delay Active Wait XX Min” (XX representing a number of minutes, typically 10 minutes). Wait for this countdown to reach zero. Do not interrupt this process.
- Press Ignition Switch Again: Once the countdown reaches zero and the DIC prompts “Press Start Control To Learn Keys again,” press the ignition switch once more.
- Learn Delay Active (Second Cycle): The DIC will again display “Learn Delay Active Wait XX Min” and count down to zero. Wait for this second countdown to complete.
- Repeat Learn Delay (Third Cycle): Repeat steps 8 and 9 one more time. You will undergo a third learn delay cycle.
- Programming Initiation: After the third learn delay, a beep sound will be heard, and the DIC will display “Ready To Learn Electronic Key # X”. Crucially, at this stage, all previously programmed key fobs have been erased from the system’s memory.
- Programming Complete & Ready for Next Fob: Another beep sound will indicate that the current key fob programming is complete. The DIC will then display “Ready to Learn Electronic Key #2”.
- Program Additional Fobs: If you have more 2012 CTS key fobs to program, insert each subsequent fob into the transmitter pocket. Wait until you hear a beep and the DIC advances to the next electronic key number. You can program up to four key fobs in total. The DIC will display “Maximum # Electronic Keys Learned” when the limit is reached and exit programming mode automatically.
- Exit and Test: If you have programmed all desired key fobs or reached the maximum, press the ignition control knob to exit programming mode. Finally, press the “unlock” button on each newly programmed 2012 CTS key fob to finalize the process and ensure each fob is functioning correctly.
By following these procedures, you can successfully program your 2012 Cadillac CTS key fob yourself. Always ensure you are using a compatible key fob and follow each step carefully for successful programming.
