Is your 2004 Subaru Forester key fob no longer unlocking your doors or triggering the panic alarm? Don’t worry, you might not need to rush to a dealership or expensive locksmith right away. Programming a new or replacement key fob for your 2004 Subaru Forester can often be done right in your driveway with a few simple steps. This guide will walk you through the process, making it easy to regain full control of your vehicle’s keyless entry system.
Step-by-Step Guide to Program Your 2004 Subaru Forester Key Fob
Before you begin, ensure you have all your key fobs you wish to program ready, as you’ll need to program them all in one session. This procedure should work for most 2004 Subaru Forester models.
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Get Ready: Enter your Subaru Forester and make sure all doors are closed and unlocked. Place your foot on the brake pedal and keep it there throughout the initial steps.
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Ignition Cycling: This is the most crucial part. Insert your key into the ignition. You need to quickly cycle the ignition from the “OFF” position to the “ON” position (where the dashboard lights illuminate) approximately 10 times. The key here is speed and precision. Turn the key briskly but carefully, ensuring you don’t crank the engine. Go back and forth between “OFF” and “ON”.
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Listen for the Horn: After successfully cycling the ignition the correct number of times, your Subaru Forester should honk once. This horn honk is your signal that the vehicle has entered programming mode. If you don’t hear the horn after 10 cycles, try again, sometimes it might take a couple of extra attempts. Ensure your door is fully closed and you are performing the on-off cycles relatively quickly.
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Driver’s Door Action: Once you hear the horn, open and then close the driver’s side door.
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Remote Activation: Immediately after closing the driver’s door, take one of your key fobs and press any button on it (like the lock or unlock button).
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Confirmation of Programming: If the programming is successful for that key fob, the car may honk again, or the door locks might cycle. This indicates that the first key fob is now programmed.
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Programming Additional Remotes (Optional): If you have more key fobs to program, you need to act quickly. Immediately after the confirmation from the previous step (or right after pressing the button on the first remote if no immediate confirmation), open and close the driver’s door again. Then, take your second key fob and press any button on it. Repeat this door open/close and button press process for each additional key fob you need to program.
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Exiting Programming Mode: Once you have programmed all your desired key fobs, remove the key from the ignition. Your Subaru Forester should honk three times. This series of three honks confirms that you have successfully exited the key fob programming mode, and all programmed key fobs should now be functional.
Troubleshooting Tips
- Horn Not Honking? If your car doesn’t honk after 10 ignition cycles, double-check that all doors are fully closed, and you are cycling the key fast enough between “OFF” and “ON” (but not starting the engine). You can also try waiting for a few minutes and then repeating the process. Sometimes, electrical systems can be a bit finicky.
- Still Having Issues? If you are still struggling to get your 2004 Subaru Forester into programming mode, or if the key fobs are not programming even after following these steps, there might be other underlying issues. It’s possible there’s a problem with the vehicle’s security system, the key fobs themselves, or the battery in the key fob might be dead. Try replacing the battery in your key fob as a first step.
When to Consider Professional Key Fob Programming
While this DIY method is often successful for 2004 Subaru Foresters, there are situations where professional help is recommended:
- Persistent Programming Failure: If you’ve tried the procedure multiple times and cannot get the car into programming mode or program the key fobs, professional diagnostics might be needed.
- Suspect Key Fob Issues: If you suspect the key fob itself is faulty, a professional can test the fob and determine if it’s transmitting correctly.
- Convenience and Time Savings: If you prefer not to deal with the process yourself or need guaranteed programming, a professional key fob installer can handle it quickly and efficiently.
If you’re looking for professional key fob programming services in your area, you can use our locator tool below to find a qualified technician near you. And if you need a replacement key fob for your 2004 Subaru Forester, visit Keylessentryremotefob.com for a wide selection of key fobs and remotes.
