Lost your key fob or need to program a new one for your 2005 Subaru Forester? You’re not alone. Many Subaru owners find themselves needing to reprogram their key fobs at some point. Fortunately, programming your 2005 Subaru Forester Key Fob can often be done at home without a trip to the dealership, saving you both time and money. This guide provides comprehensive instructions, troubleshooting tips, and answers to common questions to help you successfully program your key fob.
Understanding Your 2005 Subaru Forester Key Fob System
The keyless entry system in your 2005 Subaru Forester is designed to store up to four unique transmitter codes in its memory. This allows you to use multiple key fobs with your vehicle. Each key fob has a unique code that needs to be registered with your car’s system for it to work. This code is crucial for the programming process. Typically, this code is an eight-digit number that may be found on a label attached to the key fob packaging or inside the key fob itself.
If you purchased a new key fob, especially online, it’s important to ensure it’s compatible with your 2005 Subaru Forester. While aftermarket key fobs can be a cost-effective solution, always verify compatibility before attempting to program.
Step-by-Step Guide to Programming Your 2005 Subaru Forester Key Fob
Follow these detailed steps to program your 2005 Subaru Forester key fob. It’s essential to follow each step precisely and within the specified time limits for successful programming.
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Preparation is Key: Begin by ensuring all doors and the rear gate of your Subaru Forester are firmly closed.
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Driver’s Seat Position: Open the driver’s side door, sit in the driver’s seat, and then close the driver’s door.
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Initiate Programming Sequence (Within 45 seconds):
a. Open and close the driver’s door once.
b. Insert your key into the ignition switch and cycle it from the “LOCK” position to the “ON” position 10 times within 15 seconds. Do not start the engine; just turn the key to the “ON” position (where the dashboard lights up) and back to “LOCK”.Note: Upon successful completion of step 3b, you should hear an electronic tone once, indicating the system has entered programming mode. If you don’t hear the tone and the interior light doesn’t flash, you may have exceeded the 45-second time limit or made an error. In this case, restart the entire procedure from step 1.
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Door Confirmation (Within 15 seconds): Open and close the driver’s door once again within 15 seconds of completing step 3.
Note: After correctly performing step 4, an electronic tone should sound for approximately 30 seconds. This longer tone confirms you are in the key fob programming mode and are ready to enter the key fob code. If you do not hear the 30-second tone, you’ll need to repeat the process from step 3.
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Entering the First Digit (During the 30-second tone): While the electronic tone is sounding (it will stop when you begin entering the code), use the power door lock switch on your door panel to enter the first digit of your key fob’s 8-digit code. For example, if the first digit is ‘8’, push the “lock” side of the power door lock switch eight times.
Important Considerations:
- The electronic tone will stop as soon as you begin pressing the lock switch.
- You must start entering the code before the 30-second tone ends.
- Ensure each push of the lock switch is within 5 seconds of the previous push. Pauses longer than 5 seconds can cause an error. If you encounter errors repeatedly (six times), restart the entire procedure from step 3.
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Confirming the Digit (Within 5 seconds): After entering the first digit by pressing the “lock” side of the switch, push the “unlock” side of the power door lock switch once within 5 seconds to confirm the digit.
Note: A short electronic tone should sound to confirm the digit has been accepted. If you wait longer than 5 seconds to press the “unlock” side, it will result in an error, and you’ll need to repeat from step 4. Again, repeated errors (six times) will require restarting from step 3.
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Repeat for Remaining Digits: Repeat steps 5 and 6 for each of the remaining seven digits of your 8-digit key fob code, proceeding from the second digit to the eighth.
Note: After entering the eighth digit and confirming it with the “unlock” switch, a 30-second electronic tone should sound again, indicating you’re ready to re-enter the entire 8-digit code for verification.
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Re-enter the Entire Code (During the 30-second tone): Before the 30-second tone stops, re-enter the entire 8-digit key fob code again, starting from the first digit, using the same lock/unlock switch method as in steps 5 and 6.
Crucial: You must begin re-entering the code before the 30-second tone ends. Failure to do so will result in an error, requiring you to restart from step 3.
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Verification and Completion: After you finish entering the 8-digit code for the second time, one of two things will happen:
- Success: If the second code entry matches the first code entry, you will hear a short electronic tone (lasting one second), and the automatic door locks will cycle once (lock then unlock). This confirms successful key fob programming.
- Error: If the second code entry does not match the first, an error tone will sound (likely a beeping sequence as described in the original post). You will need to repeat the procedure from step 5 to re-enter the code. If you encounter five consecutive errors, restart the entire process from step 3.
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Programming Additional Key Fobs (Optional): If you need to program additional key fobs (up to a total of four), repeat the procedure starting from step 4 before removing the key from the ignition.
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Final Test: Once you have programmed all desired key fobs, remove the key from the ignition switch and test each key fob to ensure it correctly locks and unlocks your 2005 Subaru Forester.
Alt text: A 2005 Subaru Forester key fob with lock, unlock, and panic buttons, highlighting its typical design.
Troubleshooting Common Programming Issues
Many users, like the original poster, encounter issues during the key fob programming process. Here are some common problems and troubleshooting tips:
- No Electronic Tone at Step 3: If you don’t hear the initial electronic tone after cycling the key, ensure you are completing steps 3a and 3b within the 45-second time limit. Double-check that you are turning the key to the “ON” position correctly (not starting the engine) and that the driver’s door switch is functioning properly.
- No 30-Second Tone at Step 4: If you miss the 30-second tone after step 4, it usually means step 4 wasn’t completed within 15 seconds of step 3b, or step 3 wasn’t successful. Repeat from step 3, paying close attention to timing.
- Error Tones During Code Entry: Error tones during code entry (steps 5-9) often indicate timing issues (pauses longer than 5 seconds between switch presses) or incorrect code entry. Ensure you are pressing the lock/unlock switch deliberately and within the time limits. Double-check the 8-digit code for accuracy.
- Beeping Instead of Lock/Unlock at Step 9: As the original poster described, beeping at step 9 instead of the lock/unlock cycle likely indicates an issue with code verification. This usually means the second code entry didn’t exactly match the first. Carefully repeat steps 5-9, ensuring accurate code entry both times.
What if You Don’t Have the Key Fob Code?
The original poster’s biggest question was about programming a remote without a code. Unfortunately, you cannot program a key fob without knowing its unique 8-digit code using this method. The code is essential for the system to recognize and register the key fob.
If you purchased a used key fob or lost the original packaging and code, here are your options:
- Contact the Seller: If you bought the key fob online, contact the seller and inquire if they can provide the code.
- Subaru Dealership: Your local Subaru dealership can often retrieve the key fob code or program a new key fob for you. However, this is typically the most expensive option.
- Automotive Locksmith: A qualified automotive locksmith may have the tools to program key fobs, even without the original code, or obtain the code for you. This can be a more affordable alternative to the dealership.
- Aftermarket Solutions: Some aftermarket key fob programming services or devices may exist, but proceed with caution and ensure compatibility with your 2005 Subaru Forester.
Conclusion
Programming your 2005 Subaru Forester key fob at home is achievable with patience and careful adherence to these instructions. While it can be a bit tricky due to the timing-sensitive steps, following this guide and troubleshooting common issues will increase your chances of success. Remember to always double-check your key fob code and consider professional assistance if you encounter persistent problems or don’t have the necessary code. Having a working key fob provides convenience and security for your 2005 Subaru Forester, making the effort worthwhile.
