Losing or needing a replacement key fob for your 2015 Chevrolet Equinox doesn’t have to mean a costly trip to the dealership. You can program a new key fob yourself, provided you follow the correct steps. This guide will walk you through the process for programming a key fob for your 2015 Chevy Equinox, covering scenarios whether you have an existing recognized key or not.
Programming a 2015 Chevy Equinox Key Fob with a Recognized Key
If you already have a working key fob for your 2015 Chevy Equinox, programming a new one is a relatively simple process. Ensure the new key blade is cut to match your ignition before you begin this procedure.
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Insert and Turn the Recognized Key: Place your original, already programmed key into the ignition. Turn the key to the ON/RUN position. This activates the vehicle’s electronics without starting the engine.
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Turn Off and Remove the Key: Turn the ignition key back to the LOCK/OFF position and then remove the recognized key from the ignition.
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Insert and Turn the New Key: Within five seconds of removing the recognized key, insert the new, unprogrammed key into the ignition. Turn this new key to the ON/RUN position.
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Wait for Security Light: Keep the key in the ON/RUN position. The security light on your dashboard should turn off once the new key fob is successfully programmed to your 2015 Chevy Equinox. This indicates that the vehicle now recognizes the new key.
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Program Additional Keys (Optional): If you need to program more than one new key fob, simply repeat steps 1 through 3 for each additional key.
Programming a 2015 Chevy Equinox Key Fob Without a Recognized Key
If you’ve lost all your existing key fobs, programming a new key fob for your 2015 Chevy Equinox requires a slightly longer procedure that takes approximately 30 minutes for the first key. Make sure all the key fobs you intend to program are with you before starting.
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Insert the New Key: Insert the new, uncut vehicle key into the ignition.
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Turn to ON/RUN: Turn the ignition key to the ON/RUN position. The security light will illuminate and remain on.
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Wait 10 Minutes (First Cycle): Leave the key in the ON/RUN position and wait for 10 full minutes. The security light will turn off after the 10-minute period.
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Turn to LOCK/OFF: After the security light turns off, turn the ignition key to the LOCK/OFF position.
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Repeat Steps 2-4 (Second and Third Cycles): Repeat the sequence of turning the key to ON/RUN, waiting 10 minutes until the security light goes off, and then turning back to LOCK/OFF two more times. This means you will complete the 10-minute wait cycle a total of three times.
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Final ON/RUN Turn: After the third 10-minute cycle and turning the ignition to LOCK/OFF, insert the key again and turn it to the ON/RUN position one last time. At this point, the new key fob should be learned by your 2015 Chevy Equinox, and any previously known key fobs will no longer function with the vehicle for security reasons.
To program additional key fobs after completing the “without recognized key” procedure, you can then use the simpler “Programming with a Recognized Key” method described at the beginning of this guide.
By following these instructions, you can successfully program a new key fob for your 2015 Chevy Equinox, saving time and money. Always ensure you have the correct type of key fob for your vehicle and that the key blade is properly cut for your ignition system.
