Experiencing issues programming your 2020 Gmc Key Fob? You’re not alone. Many GMC owners encounter hiccups during the key fob relearn procedure. This guide delves into a real-world experience with programming a 2020 GMC key fob, highlighting a crucial mistake to avoid and a potentially helpful tip for success.
The Frustrating First Attempt
After successfully programming key fobs previously, a recent attempt with a 2020 GMC Sierra took an unexpected turn. Following the standard programming steps, the process seemed to go awry right at the beginning. When prompted to start the vehicle as part of the relearn procedure, pressing the start button on the dashboard yielded no response.
In a moment of less-than-ideal decision-making, the remote start feature on the new key fob was used instead. This seemingly simple action triggered a cascade of problems. The key fob sensor relearn program malfunctioned, and alarmingly, the remote would not shut off the vehicle. Even the dashboard start button became unresponsive, and moving the key fob far away from the truck had no effect. The vehicle was essentially stuck running, with no way to turn it off or even open the hood to potentially disconnect the battery.
After a tense 10 to 15 minutes of troubleshooting and uncertainty, the truck finally shut off on its own. A subsequent attempt to repeat the relearn procedure only resulted in the original, working remote becoming partially functional – able to lock and unlock doors, but nothing more. Frustration led to abandoning the process for the night.
A Second Try and Partial Success
The next evening, with a fresh perspective, the key fob programming procedure was restarted. This time, the process progressed much smoother. The new remotes successfully programmed to lock and unlock the doors and start the truck using the dashboard start button. However, remote start remained stubbornly non-functional on all key fobs. Despite this partial success, the programming was considered incomplete, and the issue was left unresolved for the night.
The Unexpected Resolution: Patience Pays Off
The following morning brought a surprising and welcome resolution. Upon testing, all key fob functions, including remote start, were working perfectly on all remotes. The unexplained overnight period seemed to have been the key to fully completing the programming process.
Key Takeaway: Avoid Remote Start During Programming
Based on this experience, a critical piece of advice emerges: DO NOT use the remote start feature during the key fob relearn procedure for your 2020 GMC vehicle. It appears that initiating remote start at this stage can disrupt the programming process and lead to a range of unexpected issues, including the inability to turn off the vehicle.
Furthermore, if you encounter difficulties during key fob programming, especially after making the mistake of using remote start, allowing the vehicle to sit overnight may be beneficial. This period of inactivity seems to allow the vehicle’s systems to properly finalize the key fob programming, resolving issues that may persist immediately after the procedure.
While the exact technical reason for this behavior remains unclear, this real-world experience offers valuable insight for anyone programming a 2020 GMC key fob. By avoiding remote start during the process and exercising patience, you can significantly increase your chances of a successful and trouble-free key fob programming experience.
