2019 Chevy Malibu Key Fob Programming: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Losing or damaging a key fob for your 2019 Chevy Malibu can be a frustrating experience. Fortunately, programming a new key fob can often be done at home without the need for expensive dealership services. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of programming a new key fob for your 2019 Chevrolet Malibu, whether you have existing, recognized key fobs or not. Follow these straightforward instructions to get back on the road quickly and conveniently.

Programming a 2019 Chevy Malibu Key Fob with Recognized Transmitters

This method is applicable if you currently have two working key fobs for your 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. Having recognized transmitters simplifies the programming process significantly. Ensure you have all key fobs you intend to use for your vehicle, both the existing ones and the new, unprogrammed fob, with you before starting.

1. Prepare Your Existing Key Fobs: Begin by placing your two currently recognized and functioning key fobs into the front cup holder of your Chevy Malibu. This ensures they are readily available for the programming sequence.

2. Initiate Programming Mode: Locate the key lock cylinder cap on the driver’s side door handle and carefully remove it. Take the vehicle key that is integrated into your new, unprogrammed transmitter and insert it into the exposed key lock cylinder. Turn the key to the unlock position a total of five times within a 10-second timeframe.

   Alt text: Close-up of a 2019 Chevy Malibu driver’s side door handle with the key lock cylinder cap removed, ready for key insertion.

   After successfully completing this step, the Driver Information Center (DIC) within your Malibu will display the message “READY FOR REMOTE #2, 3, 4 or 5 etc.” This indicates that your vehicle has entered the key fob programming mode and is ready to learn a new transmitter.

3. Position the New Transmitter: Take the new key fob that you wish to program and place it into the transmitter pocket. This pocket is located inside the center console storage area of your 2019 Chevy Malibu. Ensure that the button side of the key fob is facing towards the rear of the vehicle when placing it in the pocket.

   Alt text: Interior view of a 2019 Chevy Malibu center console, highlighting the transmitter pocket location within the storage compartment.

4. Learn the New Transmitter: With the new key fob placed in the transmitter pocket, press the ENGINE START/STOP button in your Chevy Malibu. Once the vehicle successfully learns the new transmitter, the DIC will display a message confirming that it is ready to program the next transmitter.

5. Complete and Exit Programming: Remove the newly programmed key fob from the transmitter pocket. To finalize the programming for this key fob, press either the UNLOCK or LOCK button on the transmitter. If you have additional key fobs to program, repeat Steps 3 through 5. Once you have programmed all desired key fobs, press and hold the ENGINE START/STOP button for approximately 12 seconds. This action will exit the key fob programming mode.

6. Reassemble the Key Fob: Finally, return the vehicle key back into the newly programmed transmitter, ensuring it is properly stored within the fob. Test the functionality of your newly programmed key fob to confirm it is working correctly with your 2019 Chevy Malibu.

Programming a 2019 Chevy Malibu Key Fob Without Recognized Transmitters

If you do not have two currently recognized key fobs available, or if you are starting from scratch with no working fobs, you will need to follow this more time-intensive procedure. This method will take approximately 30 minutes to complete and is not available in Canada. Ensure you have all the key fobs you wish to program with you before beginning.

1. Initiate Learning Mode: Begin by removing the key lock cylinder cap on the driver’s door handle, just as in the previous method. Insert the vehicle key from the transmitter into the key lock cylinder on the outside of the driver’s door. Turn the key to the unlock position five times within 10 seconds. The Driver Information Center (DIC) will display the message “REMOTE LEARN PENDING, PLEASE WAIT.”

2. First 10-Minute Wait: Wait for a full 10 minutes. During this time, the system is undergoing a security process to prepare for key fob programming. Do not interrupt this process. After 10 minutes, the DIC display will change to “PRESS ENGINE START BUTTON TO LEARN.” Once you see this message, press the ENGINE START/STOP button. The DIC will again display “REMOTE LEARN PENDING, PLEASE WAIT.”

3. Second and Third 10-Minute Waits: Repeat Step 2 two more times. This means you will wait for 10 minutes, press the ENGINE START/STOP button, and wait another 10 minutes, for a total of three 10-minute cycles. After the third cycle is complete, all previously programmed key fobs will no longer function with your vehicle. This is a security measure to clear out any old or lost key fobs. The DIC display should now show “READY FOR REMOTE # 1.”

4. Position the New Transmitter: Place the new key fob into the transmitter pocket in the center console storage area, with the buttons facing towards the rear of the vehicle, just as you did in the “with recognized transmitters” method.

5. Learn the New Transmitter: Press the ENGINE START/STOP button. When the transmitter is successfully learned, the DIC will indicate that the system is ready to program the next transmitter.

6. Complete and Exit Programming: Remove the programmed key fob from the transmitter pocket and press either the UNLOCK or LOCK button on the transmitter to finalize the programming. If you have additional key fobs to program, repeat Steps 4 through 6. Once all key fobs are programmed, press and hold the ENGINE START/STOP button for 12 seconds to exit the programming mode.

7. Reassemble the Key Fob: Return the vehicle key to the transmitter. Test each of your newly programmed key fobs to ensure they are all working correctly with your 2019 Chevy Malibu.

By following these steps, you can successfully program new key fobs for your 2019 Chevy Malibu, regaining full access and convenience without a trip to the dealership. Remember to always double-check each step and ensure you have the correct model year and vehicle for these instructions.